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Summer Research Program for DVM Students
We are pleased to be able to offer a strong mentored summer research program in our college. The program derives its strength and diversity through various funding sources, including a T-35 award from the National Institutes of Health and a grant from Merial for the Merck-Merial Veterinary Scholars. In addition, we are proud to have the Witter Fellowship, Eskelund Fellowship, Feline Health and Wellbeing Center (FHC) Fellowship, each supporting one veterinary scholar every year, along with additional support from the Dean's Office at CVM as well as the Graduate School at MSU.
In 2008, we proudly hosted the Merck-Merial NIH National Veterinary Scholars Symposium on the campus of Michigan State University, July 31-August 3. For details, please see the following link: 2008 Merck-Merial NIH Veterinary Scholars Symposium.
The 2009 Merck Merial NIH National Veterinary Scholars Symposium was held at North Carolina State University, August 6-9, please see details at:
http://www.cvm.ncsu.edu/mmss/index.htmlThe 2010 Merial NIH National Veterinary Scholars Symposium will be held at the University of Georgia in early August. We will post details here as they become available.
You will find much information about summer research opportunities at MSU and other institutions through this site. Please feel free to contact us with any questions:
Dr. Vilma Yuzbasiyan-Gurkan, Director, Summer Research Program
Carey Byerrum, Assistant, Summer Research Program
Introduction:
The Summer Research Program is designed to provide a rich research experience to all our veterinary scholars. Each scholar is mentored closely by dedicated faculty. In addition, all scholars participate in collective experiences such as weekly seminars, field trips and other activities to increase their understanding of the scientific process, responsible conduct of research, improve their written and oral communication skills and to gain insight into the wide range of professional paths available to them in academia, government and industry. For a schedule of activities in 2009, see 2009 Summer Research Seminar Schedule. In addition, a substantial portion of the scholars participate in the annual Merck-Merial-NIH Veterinary Scholar Symposium. We will need to identify students interested in participating in the Symposium before the end of May, 2009.
The diversity of our funding sources allows us to offer diverse
research experiences and mentors to our students. Our NIH
scholars participate in research projects with our NIH funded and other
faculty where projects have direct bearing on human health issues. Our
Merck-Merial scholars have a wide range of faculty and human or
animal-health focused research available to them as mentors, both at
the campus at MSU as well as in the colleagues at Van Andel Institute
in Grand Rapids and the Unit for
Laboratory Animal Medicine at the University of Michigan in
Ann Arbor.
The Witter scholar is selected among MSU students interested in research projects ongoing at the Avian Disease and Oncology Laboratory (ADOL) of USDA, adjacent to the MSU campus. The Eskelund Scholar is selected among students interested in an avian-disease related project, but not necessarily at ADOL. The Feline Health and Well-being Center scholar is selected among MSU students specifically interested in feline diseases.
Students should only complete one application form. Successful applicants will be assigned the funding source that is the best fit.
Eligibility:
All applicants must be DVM students. Interested students from all
colleges of veterinary medicine are eligible for both the NIH and
Merck-Merial sponsored fellowships. However, US citizenship is
required for those applying for support through the NIH
program.
Application:
The application process is competitive. In addition to academic
performance in their undergraduate and DVM programs, students are
evaluated based on standardized test scores, recommendations of
faculty, and most importantly, on their personal statement of interest,
articulating their goals, strengths and potential for contributions to
the program. No prior research experience is needed. Individuals
with advanced graduate research degrees are ineligible to participate
as NIH or Merck-Merial scholars. However, students with prior
research/ graduate school experience can be funded through Graduate
School funds.
Application Form for All MSU Summer Research Programs
Environment:
Michigan State University continues to be a vibrant a place during the summer, with many departments hosting seminars and special programs. Housing arrangements are relatively easy to make. The campus Housing Office provides a great starting place to look for summer housing at http://www.hfs.msu.edu/uh/campus/summmer_housing.html
In addition, East Lansing has a large number of cultural activities during the summer http://www.elmanac.msu.edu/. We are happy to provide guidance through their relocation process to all out of state students.
Stipend:
All summer research participants receive the same stipend, which is set
to match the NIH approved stipend of that year. For 2008, the stipend
was $ 5,193 for the 12 week period and is expected to remain the same
for 2009.
Timeline and Mentor/Mentee Matching Process:
Information Meetings: Two are held during Fall
semester.
Applications Due: Feb. 5, 2010
Notifications: March 8, 2010
Mentor Selection: Continues through March 2009 and finalized April 3,
2009. Please review: Faculty
mentor contact information and research interests.
Students interview with several potential mentors identified and
communicated to them by program directors and discuss available
projects. Once a mutual agreement is reached, the mentor and the
student both sign a contract: April 5, 2010.
Program Dates: May 17 - August 6, 2010
Orientation Meeting: May 17, 2010 9:00-11:00 a.m. University Club
Students are encouraged to interact with their mentor and research group in advance of the start of the program, to the extent that their schedule permits.