Engage in hypothesis-driven and problem-solving research under the mentorship of a faculty member

During this 12-week program, students work closely with faculty mentors to conduct a biomedical research project focusing on comparative and veterinary medicine. Professional development activities are designed to prepare students for a research career and gain leadership skills. At the end of the program, students present their findings at the Veterinary Scholars Symposium. The program provides a stipend and covers the cost of travel to the symposium.

Program Dates: May 19–August 10, 2025
Application Deadline: February 3, 2025

Application Portal: https://wapp.cvm.msu.edu/SummerResearch/Account/Login

Eligibility

• Any first- or second-year veterinary student who is enrolled in any veterinary school and is a student in good standing.
• No previous research experience is needed.

MSU CVM is committed to respecting, nurturing, and advancing all individuals of diverse ancestral, social, cultural, and/or national backgrounds. Students from underrepresented backgrounds in science are encouraged to apply.

Research Projects

Students should review the potential projects offered by our Research Mentors at https://wapp.cvm.msu.edu/researchprojects. Applicants are advised to identify the Research Mentor and the project of interest in their application. If accepted, students will be required to meet with the mentor to discuss the research and the expectations of the students (questions will be provided as guidance). Students will have the opportunity to rank their top choices for research projects and mentors will also have input on student selection if multiple students express an interest.

Research opportunities are at the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in East Lansing, and at the University of Michigan Unit of Laboratory Animal Medicine in Ann Arbor.

Additional Program Activities

Seminars

• Responsible conduct of research addressing: an introduction, the use of animals in research, mentor-mentee relationships, authorship, data management, scientists as responsible members of society, and rigor and reproducibility.
• Appropriate chemical and biological safety training.
• Introduction to the MSU Libraries and literature searching
• Scientific writing
• Information about graduate studies.

Science Communication Coaching and Practice – “Data and Dining”

• Background/Significance
• Elevator Talk to a Lay Audience
• Materials/Methods
• Results & Conclusions

Career exploration

• Lab Animal Medicine career opportunities - University of Michigan Lab Animal Medicine
• Career Panels with industry, academia and governmental veterinarians

Writing a research paper in stages with peer feedback

• Draft Abstract
• Draft Introduction and Methods
• Draft Introduction, Methods, Results, and Conclusions
• Final paper

Extracurricular activities

• Kayak excursion
• Tour of the Veterinary Diagnostics Laboratory

Presentation of your research findings

• 10-minute oral presentation to the MSU CVM biomedical research community
• Poster presentation at the Veterinary Scholar Symposium August 7-9, 2025
• Poster or oral presentation at Phi Zeta Day August 15, 2025

Funding

Multiple funding sources are used to support DVM student research including the Boehringer-Ingelheim Veterinary Scholars Program, the National Institutes of Health, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine.

• Stipends are $7056 for the 12 week program.
• Travel costs (registration, airfare, lodging, and meals) to the Veterinary Schola Symposium will be provided

Expectations

Students will commit to:

• Working full-time (40 hours/week) for the full 12 week program.
• Attending program activities
• Attending the Veterinary Scholars Symposium – in Spokane Washington in 2025

Questions?

Contact Dr. Colleen Hegg, Co-Director, or summerresearch@cvm.msu.edu