VA researchers add expertise to salmonella-in-space study
Is it true that the Department of Veterans Affairs is conducting research in space?
Answer: A VA research project that might lead to development of a vaccine to prevent salmonella poisoning was aboard the NASA space shuttle that launched March 11. The space shuttle Endeavour is transporting research material to the International Space Station. The project came about through the teaming of VA researchers with investigators from the National Space Biomedical Research Institute, Duke University Medical Center, the University of Colorado at Boulder, Germany's Max Planck Institute and a commercial industry sponsor, SPACEHAB Inc. Salmonella infection is the most common form of food poisoning in the United States and leads to a loss of productivity estimated at close to $100 billion annually. Worldwide, salmonella diarrhea is one of the top three causes of infant mortality.
Q: What is the National Veterans Employment Program?
A: The program educates veterans on veterans' preference, special hiring authorities for veterans and key aspects to know to maneuver the federal hiring process. The program also promotes employment opportunities in VA and, through our relationships with Federal Partners, refers veterans to employment opportunities in other federal agencies. For more information, visit the NVEP web site at www.va.gov/nvep.
If you have questions about your benefits as a veteran, call Fred Ballard at the Veterans Affairs at 433-0049 or visit the VA Web site at www.va.gov/hawaii
or the Star-Bulletin at 529-4747.