VA Office of Research and Development

VA is a leader in medical research that helps Veterans and all Americans. We're also part of the national research effort to find treatments for COVID-19.

Dr. Mary (Molly) Klote, an Army Veteran, is the director of the Office of Research Protections, Policy, and Education in VA’s Office of Research and Development. Previously, as an active-duty Army colonel with 30 years of service, she oversaw all human research policy, education, and compliance for the Army through the office of the Army surgeon general.

Ear, nose, and throat surgeon Dr. Kyle VanKoevering is doing his part to help Veterans and others who fall ill with COVID-19. Working together with a team at the University of Michigan, he developed a new device that will allow two patients with different needs to safely use the same ventilator.

Dr. Parisa Khan is a clinical pharmacist who specializes in infectious diseases at the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System. As a recovered COVID-19 patient, she’s a candidate to help others who are experiencing symptoms from the disease.

VA research has embarked on a number of trials with industry and other partners to seek treatments for the virus that causes the COVID-19 disease.

This year, National VA Research Week, May 11–15, focuses on "Empowering Veterans Through Research." Since 1925, VA researchers have been discovering new ways to treat disease and improve Veterans' health. VA has a proud history of conducting high-quality clinical trials that benefit the nation. That mission is especially relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Nicholas Gilpin, who recently was awarded a research grant from VA, is working to identify the neurobiological mechanisms in underlying heightened pain states in the context of alcohol dependence and stress disorders.