MSU CVM offers one of the nation’s summer research programs funded by both the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Boehringer-Ingelheim. Known as the Vet Med Research Scholars (VMRS) program, this 12-week program provides veterinary students with training in biomedical research and teaches them skills that will help them develop into leaders in the veterinary profession.
Veterinarians represent a large, mostly untapped source of biomedical researchers. Their training provides them with a thorough understanding of the similarities and differences in physiology and diseases of various animal species (comparative medicine). Translating basic medical discoveries into clinical applications, or translational research, continues to thrive as an important priority in biomedical research. Animal models are a critical component of successfully making this transition. Veterinarians trained in research are well-equipped to advance our understanding of both animal and human disease.
Veterinary scientists are also ideally suited for investigating zoonotic diseases (such as COVID-19) and developing novel disease treatments, preventatives, and diagnostic approaches. With their broad training, veterinarians play an important role in understanding the epidemiology of animal diseases while integrating environmental and human health. Finally, veterinary scientists are significant contributors to the advancement of research in areas including food safety, infectious diseases, toxicology, and genomics that may be directly or indirectly linked to biomedical research.
However, when they lack exposure to investigative programs, relatively few veterinary medical graduates pursue training that leads to research careers.
Participation in the Vet Med Research Scholars (VMRS) program at MSU CVM introduces veterinary students to biomedical research and the exceptional career opportunities available in the field!
