School of Veterinary Medicine Summer Scholars Program

Each year, the School of Veterinary Medicine at UW-Madison provides an opportunity for current first, second, and third-year veterinary medicine students to work with mentors on a wide variety of research projects.  2012 will be the 20th year that the SVM has offered this opportunity to students.  Applications are accepted from students from other schools as well as a students from UW-Madison.

The primary goals of our program have been and will continue to be: To provide an opportunity for veterinary medical students in the first 3 years of their veterinary medical education to participate in a research training program that will enhance their appreciation, interest and knowledge of opportunities for future careers in biomedical research.  In addition to the research experience, our program is designed to have 12 weekly seminars and discussion groups on Ethics in Science, Career Opportunities, Research Programs of the Faculty Mentors, a “How To” seminar/discussion on Writing Grant Proposals, Writing Articles for Publication in Scientific Journals, and How to Give Oral and Poster Presentations.  Another goal is to provide some of our students research training opportunities at various locations off campus and even outside the US.

As evident by the accomplishments of many of our Scholars over the past years, our program provides an exceptional opportunity for the Scholars to not only perform research in the summer, but if they have an interest and time, they can continue their research training in the laboratory of their mentor throughout the year.  In mid to late April (approximately one year after starting the program), all local Scholars participate in Research Day.  We generally have a guest speaker and all the Scholars present either an oral (25 to 30 min.) overview of their research or a poster presentation with a 5 to 10 minute oral summary and Q&A.  The Scholars are required to write a scientific paper in a journal style of their choice that is generally due by the first week of May of the year following this summer experience.  Many of our Scholars present results of their projects at national meetings and many have successfully published their research findings in various journals.  Students from other schools will present results of their research at the end of the summer session and their papers are due no later than the first week of May. 

Why Be a Scholar?

1. Participate in an Exciting and Unique Experience
2. Generate New Knowledge
3. Attend a National Symposium sponsored by Merial with Veterinary Medical Students from other Schools/Colleges to share information about your research and your school
4. Attend seminars on a variety of topics
5. Include in your CV that you were a Merial Scholar and participated in this nationwide program.  This will be valuable when applying for internships/residencies and graduate programs as well as applying for jobs
6. Receive a fellowship to help cover summer expenses

Schedule and Deadlines

• February 1, 2012 - Applications to the program are due.  Submit applications to Dr. Dale E. Bjorling, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Training, 2015 Linden Dr., Madison WI 53706.
• Selection of students by March 1, 2012
• Wednesdays at noon, June – August (exact dates to be determined) Summer Seminar Series
• Merial Symposium – Colorado State University

Research Day

The School of Veterinary Medicine holds an annual Research Day each April to highlight research accomplishments of the Student Scholars Program.  The veterinary medical students from UW-Madison participate in the program.  During Research Day, the current Merial Scholars present research results and meet the newly selected Scholars and faculty members.  This program is very useful in that the Scholars completing the program have a chance to discuss the results of their research with faculty, staff and students.  They can “showcase” their efforts and accomplishments.  It is also a great opportunity for the newly selected Scholars to discuss what will be expected of them in the program, the National Merial Symposium and all the fun they will have if they attend, as well as discuss the research they plan to perform for their project.

National Symposium

Each year, all Merial Scholars are invited to share their research at the Merial National Veterinary Scholars Symposium.  The symposium is August 2012, at Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO.  More details, including dates will be available. 

Applications

The application deadline for 2012 is February 1. 

All applications should be submitted to room 2015 in the SVM, or electronically to Dr. Bjorling at bjorling@vetmed.wisc.edu. Electronic submission is preferred and highly recommended.

Every application should include:

1. Cover page to include the title of the project, dates of the proposed project period and the names of the student and faculty member.
2. A short research proposal (no more than 4 pages) to contain the following sections: background and significance, hypothesis, objectives for the summer, a brief description of approaches and methodologies, and a bibliography.  The objectives should clearly indicate how this proposal will provide a quality research experience for the student.  We are not interested in funding proposals, no matter how meritorious they may be scientifically, if the student is not provided with a quality learning experience which could entice them into choosing a research-oriented career in Veterinary Medicine.
3. The budget page indicating the student's fellowship (provided by this program), approximate costs of supplies, user fees and experimental animals.  If animals are to be used in the experiments, the RARC animal protocol number or evidence that application for clearance has been made must be noted on this sheet.  The faculty advisor must also obtain appropriate approval for the use of radioactive materials and/or biological hazards.  Note: All costs except the student fellowship must be covered by the faculty mentor!
4. A page containing the following statement, signed by the faculty mentor must also be included: "I have read this proposal and agree to supervise the project outlined by this student.  I understand that this fellowship only provides salary support for the student.  I understand that I am responsible for providing the remaining funding and other costs as noted in the budget and can assure the committee that these funds are on hand.  I also understand that I must participate in the "summer seminar" for Merial Scholars."
5. The faculty mentor must include a listing of current research support.  Please include the following information: title of project, agency, role on project (PI or co-PI), dates of project, and direct costs of project for the entire time period.
6. In a letter to accompany the proposal, the student should discuss her/his motivations for examining research as a career option.  This letter should contain a description of previous research experience, if any. 
7. The student is expected to write a paper in journal style (your choice of journal) and submit it on or before April 30, 2013.  The student will present the results of their research at Research Day in April, 2013.  Presentation can be oral or a poster.
8. Students funded by Merial must attend the National Symposium at Colorado State University and the NIH.

Former Mentors

The following is a list of mentors that have been part of the program in the last few years.  Students are encouraged to approach any faculty that share their interests, whether or not they are on this list.  There have also been mentors from other schools/colleges at UW-Madison and outside the university (eg National Wildlife Health Lab).  Click on a faculty members name to learn more about their research interests.  Students from outside the school and students who need additional assistance should contact Dr. Schultz at least a month before the application is due. 

• Christopher W. Olsen
• Jorge Osorio
• Susan Schaefer
• Linda Schuler
• Ronald Schultz
• Kurt K. Sladky
• Howard Steinberg
• Adel Talaat
• Lauren Trepanier
• Tim Yoshino

Some Former Projects

Since its inception in 1992 the veterinary medical student research training program has provided an opportunity for more than 180 students to participate in various research projects with UW-Madison faculty.

Examples of past projects have included:

• Collagen degradation in ruptured canine cruciate ligament
• Pathogenesis of condylar fractures of the third Metacarpal/third metatarsal bone in thoroughbred racehorses
• Validation of a neuraminidase real-time RT-PCR panel with migratory bird isolates from Egypt
• Age-related change and exercise induced plasticity in the hypoglossal nucleus
• Targeted gene-directed radiosensitization in canine tumor cells
• West Nile Virus Infection in Dogs of Southern Wisconsin
• West Nile virus in Avian Species in Colombia.
• Factors Affecting Feline Respiratory Disease Complex in an Open Admission Shelter
• The effects of sex hormones on ventilatory control in aging rats
• Characterization of liver auto-antibodies in dogs with chronic hepatitis
• An Immunohistochemical and Clinical Examination of 37 Cases of Feline Nasal Lymphoma
• Immobilization of two-toed and three-toed sloths using dexmedetomidine in Upala, Costa Rica.
• Pharmacokinetics of meloxicam in Hispanolian parrots.

Contact Information

If you have any questions or concerns about the program, please contact the director, Dale Bjorling, or the co-directors, Chuck Czuprynski and Christopher Olsen.

Dr. Dale E. Bjorling
Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Training
2015 Linden Dr.
Madison, WI 53706

Phone: 608-263-4808
Email: bjorling@vetmed.wisc.edu

Merial Veterinary Scholars Information