The Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine is pleased to announce the availability of summer research fellowships for veterinary and undergraduate students. These fellowships offer veterinary and undergraduate students the opportunity to work on independent research projects with a faculty mentor and explore non-practice careers.
This program is funded jointly through Merck-Merial (Merck Company Foundation, Merck Research Laboratories, Merial) and the Purdue School of Veterinary Medicine.
Merck Merial Veterinary Scholars Website:
http://www.merckmerialscholars.com
This website also provides information on the Merck-Merial Veterinary Internships, Veterinary Research Awards, and the 2008 National Symposium.
GOAL of the Summer Research Program:
The goal of the Veterinary Scholars Summer Research Program is to provide an opportunity for veterinary students to work on an independent research project and, in addition, to explore biomedical research through attending seminars and discussions on careers in science, and though travel to the National Research Symposium. It is anticipated that these will provide a positive experience in which the students will gain insights into the possibilities of a rewarding career in biomedical research.
MISSION :
The Mission of this program is to provide an opportunity for veterinary students in their first three years of veterinary school and undergraduate students in the pre-veterinary curriculum to gain exposure to clinical, diagnostic, and basic biomedical research.
SUMMARY OF PROGRAM:
- Explore careers in clinical, diagnostic, and basic biomedical research.
- Work with a faculty mentor to design and conduct a summer research project.
- Attend weekly seminars on: careers in academia, industry & government, lab animal medicine, ethics, grants & research funding, and “how to balance a career and a personal life”. (weekly lunch provided).
- Travel to a National Symposium to present your work and meet fellow summer fellows.
- Attend extracurricular activities such as a trip to a local pharmaceutical company and a fellows picnic.
- Earn $5100 for 12 weeks of the summer program (May 14, 2008 – August 3, 2008).
- Applications are due by February 1, 2008.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Applications for both veterinary professional students and undergraduate students are to be made to Dr. Van Vleet by Friday, February 1, 2008 APPLICATION for the Veterinary Student Summer 2008 Research Fellowships. APPLICATION for the Undergraduate Veterinary Research Fellowships for Summer 2008. . The selected students will be matched with faculty mentors before the end of the spring semester. The successful candidates will be expected to submit a written report of their research project at the end of the summer experience, write and submit an abstract of their work, and prepare a poster for presentation at the annual SVM Phi Zeta Research Day.
Examples of potential faculty mentors and projects from previous years are available, see links to Fellow/Mentor pairings in left hand column.
Applications are encouraged from veterinary professional students and undergraduates at universities outside of Purdue University .
SCHOLAR SELECTION:
Veterinary Professional Students:
These fellowships are open to freshman and sophomore veterinary students. Students may elect to work on a project in any of the following broad disciplines: anatomy, physiology, clinical sciences, or pathobiology. Individual projects will enable the students to formulate a testable hypothesis, identify specific objectives, conduct research, interpret data, and present their findings in the form of an abstract and poster. The fellowships are intended to promote interest in non-practice careers. Opportunities for graduate study and a DVM/PhD program may develop from this summer research experience.
Examples of potential faculty mentors and projects from previous years are available, see links to Fellow/Mentor pairings in left hand column
Eligibility:
Students enrolled in graduate programs, students who have received advanced degrees in science through hypothesis-driven research, or students who previously have been recipients of the Merck-Merial grant at any school are not eligible for the Merck-Merial grant, but may qualify through funding by individual investigators. Students from universities outside of Purdue are encouraged to apply.
Undergraduate Students:
These fellowships are open to undergraduate students majoring in preveterinary medicine. The students will be paired with a faculty member in the Purdue School of Veterinary Medicine having an active research program. The Summer Research Fellows will spend twelve weeks in a research experience in veterinary and/or comparative medicine. Students from universities outside of Purdue are encouraged to apply.
QUESTIONS?
Please contact Dr. John Van Vleet at vanvleet@purdue.edu or at 765-494-9185
OTHER INFORMATION:
1. In addition, the following website at Michigan State University provides information on other research opportunities for veterinary students around the U.S. and Canada .
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
2. Merck Merial programs to promote interaction with veterinary students and graduates:
1) The Merck-Merial Internship Program is open to both veterinary students and to veterinary graduates and provides an opportunity to gain experience in pharmaceutical research at Merck and Merial.
2) The Merck-Merial Veterinary Awards Program is open to veterinarians who have completed graduate research or residency and provides a $1,000 honorarium and the opportunity to visit Merck and Merial and meet with the respective scientific communities.
Veterinary Internships:
This program has been established specifically for the veterinary student ( Merck Merial Veterinary Student Internship ) or the veterinary graduate ( Merck Merial Veterinary Graduate Internship ) to offer them an opportunity to experience research in a pharmaceutical setting. Further information can be obtained from Ms Grace Colman (Phone: 215-652-2529; email: grace_colman@merck.com ). The announcement for this internship is also present on the Merck Merial Veterinary Scholar's Website: http://www.merckmerialscholars.com/programs.html
Veterinary Research Award
This award (2008 Merck Merial Veterinary Research Award) will be made to veterinary graduates who are enrolled in or have recently completed PhD or specialty board training programs. The awardee will have the opportunity to visit Merck and Merial facilities, present their findings and along with other recipients, meet Merck and Merial research staff who will provide an insight into the world of pharmaceutical research. Each awardee will receive a $1,000 honorarium. Further information can be obtained from Dr. Sherri Motzel at 215-652-7318 or by emailing: sherri_motzel@merck.com . The announcement for this award is also present on the Merck Merial Veterinary Scholar's Website: http://www.merckmerialscholars.com/programs.html
3. Eli Lilly Externship in Veterinary Pathology and Laboratory Animal Medicine
Lilly Research Laboratories is proud to announce the availability of an externship in veterinary pathology and laboratory animal medicine. A pdf copy of the brochure is available at: Externship in Veterinary Pathology and Laboratory Animal Medicine
Successful applicants will gain valuable experience in pathology and laboratory animal medicine, and develop a better understanding of the science of drug development.
Application materials are contained on the websites of the American College of Veterinary Pathology
[ http://www.acvp.org/training/extern_center.php ]
and American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology
[ http://www.asvcp.org/trainingprograms/menu.html ].
To apply, print and complete the application form and provide the required materials listed in the application check-list. There is no fee for application. Send the completed application packet to the following address:
Externship in Veterinary Pathology
and Laboratory Animal Medicine
c/o K. K. Newport
Lilly Research Laboratories
P.O. Box 708, Drop Code GL44
Greenfield, IN 46140
