Summer Scholars Program

The School of Veterinary Medicine provides an opportunity for current first, second, and third-year veterinary medicine students to work with mentors on a wide variety of research projects. Applications are accepted from students from other schools as well as 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. Besides research opportunities within the SVM community, students can explore research experiences on the greater UW-Madison campus. We also partner with other DVM summer research programs on a national and global scale, including at USDA research centers and on the NIH campus.

In addition to the research experience, our program includes 12 weekly seminars with topics that include Ethics in Research, Career Opportunities, Research Programs of the Faculty Mentors, a “How To” seminar/discussion on writing abstracts, scientific manuscripts, and giving oral flashtalks and poster presentations.

DVM Summer Scholars can also choose to continue their research training in the laboratory of their mentor throughout the year, but this is not required.

Research Day

The School of Veterinary Medicine holds an annual Fall Research Day in October to highlight research accomplishments of the DVM Summer Scholars Program. Research Day includes short talks by representative SVM faculty that are interested in recruiting DVM Summer Scholars followed by a judge poster session. This special symposium provides the Scholars completing the program 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 aspiring applicants to discuss with current Scholars about the program, their experiences and what will be expected of them in if they have the opportunity to join.

National Symposium

Each year, all DVM Summer Scholars are invited to share their research at the Boehringer Ingelheim National Veterinary Scholars Symposium. This is a unique opportunity for DVM student research scholars from all around the country and beyond to share their research projects and ideas. This symposium has proved to be a powerful networking opportunity for veterinary students to interact with and learn about other school programs. The symposium is typically held the first weekend in August.

Program Expectations

• Student Expectations
  • The Scholar is expected to work 40 hours/week in research activities with the program or in the lab.
  • The Scholar will participate in the weekly one-hour Summer Scholar Professional Development Series. If an absence occurs, the scholar is expected to view the recorded session and submit a 1-2 sentence reflection of the content.
  • The Scholar is expected to participate in science communication sessions including, Elevator Pitches/Flash Talk, Abstract Writing, Poster Preparation, Scientific Manuscript Strategies
  • Scholars funded by Boehringer Ingelheim or the NIH must attend the Boehringer Ingelheim National Veterinary Summer Scholar Symposium. Other sources of travel support are not guaranteed. Students attending the Symposium are strongly encouraged to present a poster describing their project.
  • Scholars will present a brief Flash Talk at the last Summer Scholar Professional Development Series session as part of the end of summer celebration. Bench-side and faculty mentors and labs will be invited to attend.
  • Scholars are expected to present their summer symposium poster at Fall Research Day.
  • A Scientific Manuscript describing the research findings is required and due by the end of the following spring semester.

• Mentor Expectations
  • Mentors will be given the opportunity to take part in an abbreviated Facilitated Research Mentor Training Session
  • The Mentor and Scholar will discuss and sign the Aligning Mentor-Trainee Expectations
  • If applicable, this Aligning Expectation document will also be discussed with any bench-side mentors.
  • The Mentor will facilitate attendance to the Summer Scholar Professional Development Series. If research activities are in direct conflict, prior arrangements should be made.
  • The Mentor will work with their Summer Scholar (along with Summer Scholar leadership) to develop abstracts and posters for the Boehringer Ingelheim National Veterinary Summer Scholar Symposium and final scientific manuscripts.