NASA personnel, industry scientists, and astronauts will highlight research advancing human exploration of space and enhancing health on Earth during Healthfest 2003 on the National Mall, June 21-22, and at the BIO 2003 International Convention, at the Washington Convention Center, June 22-25.

NASA's International Space Station exhibit will be on display at Healthfest 2003, a free, two-day educational event promoting health and biotechnology. Visitors have the opportunity to learn about healthcare, the future of medicine, and biotechnology. Healthfest participants include patient advocacy groups, healthcare providers, volunteer health organizations and leading biotechnology companies.

The interactive International Space Station exhibit, contained in two 48-foot trailers, shows how astronauts live and work in space. Visitors to the exhibit can speak with an astronaut who worked on the unique Earth-orbiting laboratory. Oscar, a sophisticated robot that actually listens and responds to audiences, will also interact with the public.

BIO 2003 is the world's largest biotechnology industry convention that attracts thousands of industry executives, scientists and policy makers. NASA personnel, along with commercial researchers, will be on hand to answer questions concerning biotechnology products and technologies at booths 2508-2514, June 23-25, beginning at 10 a.m. EDT.

On Tuesday, June 24, from 10 to 11 a.m. EDT, a media workshop at the Convention Center features NASA and industry partners discussing how space research is helping to push space biotechnology into new frontiers.

NASA speakers, including Dr. Larry DeLucas, a researcher who flew on the Space Shuttle, and Dr. Neal R. Pellis, International Space Station Chief Scientist, at the Johnson Space Center, Houston, will present space biotechnology background, research successes, and plans for the Station. Workshop highlights include NASA partnerships with biotechnology companies in the areas of drug discovery, bioprocessing, robotic technologies for accelerated cell production, and space cellular biotechnology.

Astronaut and physician Dr. Daniel T. Barry, will discuss research in space biology at the BIO 2003 closing reception at the National Air and Space Museum, June 25, beginning at 7:30 p.m. EDT. Barry is a veteran of three Space Shuttle flights and four spacewalks.

Media interested in attending events or conducting interviews should contact the NASA Public Affairs Office at 202/358- 2585.

For information about NASA on the Internet, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov

For information about space-related research, visit:

http://spaceresearch.nasa.gov/

For information about commercial space research, visit:

http://spd.nasa.gov

For information about Healthfest 2003, visit:

www.healthfest2003.com

For information about the BIO 2003 conference, visit:

http://bio.org/events/2003/