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MU’s Veterinary Research Scholars
Wrap Up Successful Summer
(image gallery below)
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.
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/).
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.
For more information about the MU Veterinary Research Scholar’s Program, visit the VRSP Web page at http://www.cvm.missouri.edu/vrs/.
For general information about research opportunities for veterinary students and veterinarians, see http://www.merckmerialscholars.com/ and http://cvm.msu.edu/research/summer-research-program-1/merck-merial-veterinary-scholars/merck-merial-veterinary-scholars-national-and-canadian-research-opportunities-for-veterinary-students.
2008 University of Missouri Veterinary Research
Scholars |
Scholar |
Mentor |
Project Title |
Cynthia Alvarado,
VM2, University of
Tennessee |
Dr. Bob Livingston |
Serodiagnosis of Murine Norovirus in Mice Using
Recombinant Virus-like Particles |
Emily Basler,
VM2, University of
Missouri |
Dr. John Middleton |
Characterizing
Staphylococci from Mammary Quarters Co-infected with Another Mastitis Agent |
Michael Betley,
VM2, University of Missouri |
Dr. Yuksel Agca |
Motility Comparison
of Epididymal Rat Sperm after Exposure to Various
Molar Concentrations of Trehalose |
Annie Chih,
VM2, University of
Missouri |
Dr. Rebecca Johnson |
Exercise Motivation
and Fitness Through Dog Walking Among Older Adults |
Maria Evola,
VM2, University of
Missouri |
Dr. Marc Hamilton |
Don’t Just Stand
for That! Effects of Posture on Muscle Recruitment |
Rachel Halpin,
VM2, University of
Missouri |
Dr. Charlie Brown |
The Role of Fish Oil
in Limiting Inflammation |
Mark Harmon,
VM2, University of
Missouri |
Dr. Cathleen Kovarik |
The Effect of Estradiol on GnRH mRNA
Expression in Old Mouse Hypothalamic Tissue |
Kimberly Hause,
VM2, University of
Missouri |
Drs. Leah Cohn and
John Middleton |
Classification of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Strains in
Cystic Fibrosis Patients |
Katharine Horzmann,
VM2, University of
Missouri |
Drs. Harold
Laughlin and James Turk |
Adipocyte Diameter and
Adipose Inflammation in Swine |
Jessie Krause,
VM2, University of
Missouri |
Dr. Susan Schommer |
Evolution of PRRSV
in an Experimentally Infected Swine Herd |
Christine Nagel
VM2, University of
Missouri |
Dr. Jimi Cook |
Effects of
Resection Technique on Cell Viability, Metabolism, and Tissue Architecture of
Normal Menisci |
Paul Nolen,
VM2, University of
Tennessee |
Drs. Craig Franklin
and Matt Myles |
Estrogen Modulation
of Innate Immunity in a Mouse Model of Inflammatory Bowel Disease |
Amanda Perman,
VM1, University of
Missouri |
Dr. Elizabeth Bryda |
Characterization of
a New Gene Causing Male Infertility in the M366 Mouse Model |
Rachel Ray,
VM3, University of
Missouri |
Dr. Rebecca Johnson |
Shelter Dog
Adoptability Through Dog Walking: A Study Benefiting Shelter Dogs and Older
Adults |
Heather Wise,
VM1, University of
Missouri |
Dr. Kevin Keegan |
Response to Hock
Flexion Test in Sound Horses as Measured by a Wireless, Inertial Sensor-Based
Motion Analysis System |
Ben Yarnall,
Pre-Vet Scholar,
University of Missouri |
Dr. Aaron Stoker |
Analysis of Chondrocyte Metabolism In Vitro Utilizing Different Culture Methodology |
| The 2008 University of Missouri Veterinary Research Scholars enjoy a break at Oceans of Fun in Kansas City. |
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| Cynthia Alvarado visits the Potter Zoo as part of the National Veterinary Research Scholars Program Symposium in East Lansing, Mich. |
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| 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, Mich. |
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| 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. |
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| Ben Yarnall and Heather Wise are all smiles riding the Mamba at Worlds of Fun amusement park in Kansas City. |
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| Heather Wise discusses her poster at the National Merck-Merial Symposium in East Lansing Mich. |
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