Member SpotlightsOphthalmology Research Leads to Health and National Security Breakthroughs Michael John Wilcox, Ph.D. A Member Since November 2002 Michael Wilcox, Ph.D., is a research professor of biology for the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado and CEO of Hyperacuity Systems, a defense contractor specializing in developing “fly-eye” like sensors for unmanned aerial vehicles. These sensors are designed to process fast-changing visual information and turn it into flight commands just like living houseflies do. While he’s come along way from St. John's Seminary where he spent five years in San Antonio, TX, he is still fascinated by discovering what forces—divine or earthly—control things. After leaving theology school for family reasons, Dr. Wilcox earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, a Master of Science in Biology, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Biophysics all from Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN. At the Doheny Eye Institute at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, he pursued a certificate in Clinical Electrovisual Diagnosis. His work in ophthalmology involved studying glaucoma and resulted in the development of a medical device, which allows the disease to be treated without drugs. This implant is currently undergoing clinical trials. With his expertise in vision systems, Dr. Wilcox has applied it to designing and developing cutting edge technology that has military applications. His company, Hyperacuity Systems, has developed an instantaneous sub-pixel resolution camera that records images in real time. It is the fastest known camera in the world. Interestingly, studying the eyes of flies inspired its creation. At the U.S. Air Force Academy Dr. Wilcox mentors cadets and encourages them in their scientific pursuits. He also supports graduate students via a virtual research group funded by the military that involves universities in New Mexico, Wyoming and Idaho. This group is interested in developing an extracellular matrix that would allow wounds to heal without scaring and is an offshoot of the original research Dr. Wilcox performed on glaucoma. Team members specialize in understanding how cells communicate with one another and process information. Dr. Wilcox loves his research and typically works a seven-day workweek. He enjoys riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle to work. However, when he does take time off, he is dedicated free weight lifter. ### << Previous Next >> [ View All Member Spotlights ] |
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