Austyn Kobs, a graduate student pursuing his MA in English Literature at North Carolina State University with a focus on Disability and Veterans Studies, has joined the NCIOM team as a research assistant for an upcoming task force on Veterans’ Health. Prior to his work at the NCIOM, Austyn served as an analyst and linguist in the United States Air Force, regularly writing and publishing documentation and analysis on various careers-based studies.

“We are excited to have Austyn working with us on the Veterans’ Health project,” said Brieanne Lyda-McDonald, MSPH, a project director at the NCIOM, who will be leading the upcoming Veterans’ Health Task Force. “His studies and interest in literature will help us to tell the stories of Veterans, and his personal and professional experiences provide necessary insights as we study Veteran health care access and needs."

Upon completion of his MA, Austyn hopes to tie in his communication and technical writing experience with his passion for Veterans and Disability Studies in order to advocate for and pen public health policy changes.