Frequently Asked Questions

The program starts on May 28, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. with an orientation session and ends August 7, 2024 (August 11 for DVM students), unless you have to make up time for taking time off during the summer or are a DVM student attending the national symposium.

It is strongly advised that you do not miss any days if at all possible. However, you may take up to one week off during the summer as long as your mentor agrees and the Office of Research is notified at least two weeks in advance. Any time taken off will need to be made up. You will need to work with the Office of Research and your mentor to arrange this. You are expected to work 11 weeks in the Summer Research Program, and you will need this time to conduct a reasonable research project. Please note that you are not allowed to take time off during the first or last week of the program.

Dr. Harm HogenEsch and Dr. Eli Asem, professors and co-director of the program, will do the initial matching of the students and the available mentors. They carefully consider the research projects available and the student's research interests. Once you are initially assigned, you will need to contact your research mentor and work out the details of the project. You both must agree on the project and the research goals to be accomplished during the 11-week program.

You are expected to work Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. unless other arrangements are made with your mentor. Your research may require you to come in after hours and on weekends. The University is closed for Memorial Day and Independence Day.

There will be a summer BBQ held at a local park after the start of theh program; this is in the evening and free. It is a social time for you to get to know the other participants and mentors. Additionally, there will be a joint symposium with the University of Illinois summer research fellows. There will also be a field trip to a pharmaceutical company in July. Details about these events will be shared when the plans have been finalized.

There is no particular dress code unless otherwise specified. 

All students are expected to prepare an abstract and poster about their summer research project. You will need to work closely with your mentor when preparing your abstract and poster. These posters will be presented to the PVM faculty and when visiting a pharmaceutical laboratory on a field trip. Additionally, DVM students are required to submit their abstract and present their poster at the National Boehringer Ingelheim Symposium and at the PVM Research Day the following year.

Unfortunately, we do not have housing available to assign. We suggest that you contact other participants and share an apartment or rent housing with other students. This holds costs to a minimum. Housing costs are included in your stipend for the summer. We will be sending the selected fellows a list of housing available in the area as well as a contact list of the other participants in the program. Subleases can typically be found during the summer months. Information for off-campus housing can be found at: https://offcampushousing.purdue.edu/.

You will need to make your own travel arrangements to and from Purdue. Bus services are available from the airports in Indianapolis and Chicago directly to campus. The travel costs are included in your stipend for the summer.

You will be paid in two installments. One at the beginning of the program and the second payment at the middle/end of the program. These are lump sum installments and not biweekly or monthly payroll installments. You will be sent pay certification forms to complete and return so that you can be paid. Please be sure to calculate your expenses for the program (living, transportation) accordingly.

Parking at Purdue is very limited on campus. However if you plan to have a car, you can obtain a parking pass for the 11 weeks of the program for an additional fee. Additionally, we have a bus system that travels throughout campus. Once you have your student ID, you can then travel for free on the bus system. Parking information can be found at: https://www.purdue.edu/parking/index.html

There are several facilities/food courts, etc. on campus that provide meals as well as many local restaurants – most are reasonably priced. The Continuum Café in the College of Veterinary Medicine offers reasonably priced breakfasts and lunches each day. Lunch will be provided during the weekly Wednesday seminars.

You will be set up with a limited email account through Purdue University and internet access as it relates to your research. 

This is only for veterinary students who have completed their 1st or 2nd year and who participate in the Summer Research Program for the first time. This trip is funded (airfare, hotel). Additional information will be given as the program develops.