Georgia Veterinary Scholars Summer Research Program

Project Summary/Abstract The aim of the Georgia Veterinary Scholars Program (NIH-GVSP) at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine (UGA-CVM) is to immerse academically talented veterinary students from across the US in cutting edge research, inspire them toward careers in biomedical research, and foster a deeper understanding of the myriad roles, and vital need, for veterinarians in research. Critical to this aim is the NIH-GVSP’s commitment to broad, inclusive recruitment of students and careful pairing with strong, cross-disciplinary mentors capable of providing a thorough exposure to the principles underlying the conduct of research and providing a scientific environment that instills a sense of community. A specific effort is necessary to recruit biomedical scientists with broad medical training, such as our veterinary graduates, as partners in the nation’s biomedical research endeavors. Veterinarians are well equipped to provide a critically needed comparative organismal biology approach to the frontiers of biomedical research, including animal cloning, transgenics, development of medical devices, and translational medicine. Veterinarians are also ideally trained to recognize spontaneous animal models of human disease and are critical players in public health disciplines, emerging infectious diseases, and food safety. Nevertheless, veterinary students are often not aware of the wealth of career opportunities in research and, in many cases, do not recognize the role of veterinarians in these exciting areas. Clearly, for the promises of “One Health” and translational medicine to be realized in healthier people and animals, we will need more veterinarians engaged in research. The renewal of our training grant will help us accomplish the critical aim of showcasing the excitement and wonder of research careers to future veterinarians to prompt them to choose research as their career. During the 12- week summer program, seven pre-doctoral veterinary student trainees (35 total trainees for the five-year project period) are welcomed into the discipline and camaraderie of the scientific community and challenged to think creatively. Fundamental skills are conveyed through seminars on ethics, responsible conduct of research, scientific rigor, animal welfare, and communication skills. Relaxed journal club discussions, team-building exercises, and site visits to local research organizations contribute to a sense of community and excitement about future research possibilities. The central experience is full-time hypothesis-driven research with a mentor of the student’s choosing, culminating in written and oral presentations at the university and national levels. The PI and the 35 mentors spanning 13 departments in 6 colleges and schools within UGA support the program. The NIH-GVSP is designed to capture the imagination of future veterinarians at a formative time to inspire them to develop into independent investigators.