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This program is sponsored by the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine,
Merck-Merial
& Pfizer Animal Health

National Research Opportunity Information Web Site for Veterinary Students

Deadline for Applications: February 6, 2006

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

Who can apply: students who have:

  • completed at least one year of Veterinary School
  • are interested in exploring research
  • have not previously participated in a Veterinary Research Scholars Summer Program
  • are not currently enrolled in a DVM/PhD or DVM/MS program

Stipend:

  • For MU student 8-week program - $4000
  • For out of state student 10-week program - $5000

Program duration, students from the University of Missouri: the program will encompass the summer break from June 28-August 20. NOTE: project development, mentor meetings and weekly journal clubs and topics discussions will begin in May.

Program duration, students from other Veterinary Colleges: the program schedule is flexible. A minimum of 10 weeks is required with at least 6 weeks overlapping with the MU program schedule (June 28- August 20).

Program description: The MUVRSP will include:

  • an intensive eight-week research experience to include state-of-the-art experimental methodology in a number of research disciplines.
  • weekly topics discussions that give a broad exposure to biomedical sciences including grantsmanship, ethics in biomedical research and scientific methodology, critical thinking, and career opportunities in research.
  • social events to foster interaction and sense of community.
  • an opportunity to attend and present at the National Merck-Merial Symposium.
  • an interactive problem solving exercise involving students of the Missouri and Kansas State Veterinary Research Scholars Programs

Scholar Expectations: Scholars will be expected to commit full-time to the program, perform a hypothesis-based research project, participate in weekly topics courses and journal clubs and present results of experiments at the MU 2007 Phi Zeta Research day (in-state scholars). Scholars will also have the opportunity to attend and present their project at the 2006 Merck-Merial Symposium. On completion of the training program, scholars will have been exposed to careers in research and obtained the necessary information to pursue a science-related career.

Time Line (click here for timeline)

Mentor Selection: Participating mentors and a description of their research will be available via the web on or before December 1, 2006. As part of the application (see below), scholars rank three mentors with whom they would like to work. Scholars are highly encouraged to contact prospective mentors and discuss opportunities in their laboratories. An advisory committee will assign scholars to laboratories and procure commitments from mentors. Scholars will then meet with mentors no less than weekly until their project outline is completed and submitted (due June 14).

(Click here for the Mentor List)

MU / KSU project: A series of vignettes that highlight the challenges faced by veterinarians engaged in biomedical research will be developed. Specific case-studies will be assigned to scholar teams comprised of 5-6 students from either KSU or MU at a joint meeting in Kansas City of the summer research scholars from the two programs. The KSU and MU scholar teams will reconvene in early August to present their plans for resolution of the posed problems. Both meetings will be combined with social outings.

Application: To apply, complete the attached form and submit with a letter outlining why you wish to participate in this program, a curriculum vitae/resume to include current veterinary school GPA and letters of reference from two CVM faculty.

(click here for application)

Selection criteria: academic performance, references and level of commitment, interest and drive as judged by applicant’s letters of intent. Preference will be given to applicants with no prior research experience

Need more information? Please contact Dr. Craig Franklin at (573) 882-6623 or franklinc@missouri.edu.