Summer Veterinary Student Research (SVSRP)

Veterinary students are particularly qualified in comparative medicine, a training that is an invaluable resource in animal model research. However, most students do not pursue research careers because of a lack of exposure to biomedical research. This competing renewal proposal for our Summer Veterinary Student Research Program (SVSRP) at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine (VMCVM) will train veterinary medicine students in research skills and encourage them to pursue research careers. We will recruit from all 30 accredited veterinary medical schools in the nation, particularly from Tuskegee and Mississippi Universities, to recruit underrepresented minorities. A total of six new DVM-seeking scholars will be recruited each year during the next five-year funding period of the program. SVSRP will provide students with experience in research areas that couple student interests with infectious disease, immunology and inflammation, neuroscience, and oncology/clinical research. The Advisory and Selection Committee will assign mentors to applicants based on applicant interests. Students will receive training in writing research proposals and scientific papers, experimental design, biostatistics, reports, presentations, and visual display of quantitative information. Their training will also include the humane use of animal models, human subjects research, responsible conduct of research led by speakers with expertise in human experimentation, the Belmont Report, the Animal Welfare Act, scientific integrity, and rigor and reproducibility. A unique feature of this program will be visiting the NIH, USDA, FDA, and other agencies in Washington, DC, and Bethesda, MD, to see first- hand the role of veterinarians at these institutions and learn how public policy is influenced by research. After completing orientation and writing a research proposal, students will spend nine weeks conducting hands-on research in the mentor's laboratory. To sustain interest in biomedical research, we will organize a weekly meeting with successful DVM researchers from academia, government, or biotech/biopharma industries. VMCVM, since 1995 has successfully administered summer research training programs, culminating in training 189 DVM students in biomedical research. Since administering this T35 SVSRP in 2006, we have completed essentially all that we originally proposed during the last 14 years. Renewing this SVSRP will enable the VMCVM to continue providing opportunities and training to DVM students in biomedical research and encourage pursuing a research- based career.