University of Missouri Veterinary Research Scholars Program

  • About the Program
  • Previous Programs
  • Mentors
  • Application
  • Related Program in Lab Animal Medicine
  • FAQs

MU’s Veterinary Research Scholars Wrap Up Successful Summer

December 11, 2015 By administrator

The MU College of Veterinary Medicine recently completed its fourth annual Veterinary Research Scholars Program (VRSP). Sponsored by Merck, Merial, Pfizer and the MU CVM, the VRSP gives students in the Pre-Veterinary Medical Scholars Program and first- and second-year veterinary students the opportunity to spend their summer break exploring research.

Annie Chih is the model in the “dress your partner in PPE” Science Olympics event at Worlds of Fun amusement park in Kansas City with scholars from the Oklahoma State and Kansas State VRSPs.
Annie Chih is the model in the “dress your partner in PPE” Science Olympics event at Worlds of Fun amusement park in Kansas City with scholars from the Oklahoma State and Kansas State VRSPs.

As outlined in several publications, including “National Need and Priorities for Veterinarians in Biomedical Research” and “National Needs for Research in Veterinary Science,” veterinarians, with their broad knowledge of animal biology, have a tremendous and unique potential to contribute to numerous scientific disciplines. These publications have also identified a critical shortage of veterinarians who pursue research-oriented careers.

MU’s vibrant research community is an ideal setting for the development of veterinarians as biomedical researchers. The VRSP provides a foundation in research methodology through an intensive research experience that includes experimental methodology, seminars and discussions that give a broad exposure to biomedical sciences, and social events that foster interaction and a sense of community.

The 2008 VRSP scholars began designing and implementing research projects with their faculty mentor in February. When the summer break began, scholars hit the lab full time. Almost immediately, they began preparing for the focal point of the program, the National Merck-Merial Symposium, which this year was held at Michigan State University in East Lansing.

The symposium provides a forum where scholars from summer research programs across the country gather to network and share their science. Attending scholars prepare research posters and present their data to peers and faculty from other programs. They also attend seminars and mini-symposia led by prominent scientists and learn about post-DVM training programs in biomedical research. In 2008, more than 330 scholars from 25 programs from the United States and Canada participated. VRSP posters were well received and can be viewed at the VRSP Web page (http://www.cvm.missouri.edu/vrs/).

Marie Evola auscultates a gray fox that is having a wound repaired at the Potter Zoo. Evola was on a zoo visit while attending the National Veterinary Research Scholars Program Symposium in East Lansing, Michigan.
Marie Evola auscultates a gray fox that is having a wound repaired at the Potter Zoo. Evola was on a zoo visit while attending the National Veterinary Research Scholars Program Symposium in East Lansing, Michigan.

Social and networking activities are also a critical component of summer research programs, as they facilitate development of a research community among veterinary students. In addition to the national symposium, MU scholars participated in several activities, including tours of Bayer and the Stowers Institute in Kansas City, Mo., a trip to the University of Oklahoma Heath Sciences Center’s BSL2 and baboon breeding facilities in Oklahoma City, and a trip to Pfizer in St. Louis, Mo. One highlight of the program was meeting scholars from Kansas State University and Oklahoma State University at Kansas City’s Worlds of Fun amusement park. Participants got to know each other during the ‘Lab Olympics,’ where four mixed teams of MU, KSU and OSU scholars competed in events such as the pipette race, the gel toss, and the biohazard sack race. The national symposium also featured social activities including a barbecue at the Potter Zoo, where a few lucky MU scholars actually assisted in a wound repair of a gray fox.

The 2008 VRSP attracted 14 students from MU, as well as two students from the University of Tennessee. Moreover, one of the 2007 MU scholars, Rachael Cohen, ventured off to Kansas State University to further explore research as part of the KSU VRSP. The program has been well received by scholars and mentors alike.

Filed Under: News

About the Program

The objectives of the MUVRSP are to expose veterinary students to research career opportunities through a mentored research experience and develop a much-needed community of veterinary research scientists.

For additional veterinary student research opportunities, see the Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Scholars and National and Canadian Research Opportunities for Veterinary Students web sites.

This program is sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim, IDEXX BioResearch, and the MU College of Veterinary Medicine.

Contact Us

Primary Contact:
Dr. Craig Franklin
Program Co-Director and Contact
Professor
Department of Veterinary Pathobiology
College of Veterinary Medicine
Voice: 573-882-6623
Fax: 573-884-7521
Email: franklinc@missouri.edu

© 2022 — Curators of the University of Missouri. All rights reserved. DMCA and other copyright information. An equal opportunity/access/affirmative action/pro-disabled and veteran employer. Disability Resources