Student Research Opportunities

Summer Scholars Program

The aim of the Boehringer Ingelheim/NIH Veterinary Scholars Program is to provide veterinary medical students the opportunity to explore the world of biomedical research, develop and complete a biomedical research project during the summer. The intent is to engage students in a creative, problem-solving research activity and to provide a learning experience that will lead to the discovery of new knowledge in an area of their choosing and identify potential pathways to a career in biomedical research.

SUMMER SCHOLARS PROGRAM

Kenneth F. Burns Clerkship Program In Laboratory Animal Medicine and Pathology

Overview

Are you interested in a possible career in laboratory animal medicine or pathology (anatomic or clinical)? Would you like to discover whether one of these fields is right for you? Consider a Kenneth F. Burns Summer Fellowship or Externship. The goal of the Kenneth F. Burns Trust program is to provide veterinary students with opportunities to explore the fields of laboratory animal medicine or pathology (anatomic and clinical) as possible career choices through significant “real-world” experience in one of these fields.

Selecting a Host Institution

Students are encouraged to consider spending time at institutions with accredited residency programs to which the student may later want to apply. Students are encouraged to speak with the Kenneth F. Burns Trust Program directors for help in selecting a host institution.

ACLAM-ACCREDITED LABORATORY ANIMAL MEDICINE RESIDENCY TRAINING PROGRAMS

ACVP-ACCREDITED RESIDENCY PROGRAMS

Contacts

Program Director

Dr. Rhett Stout

[email protected] 

Division of Laboratory Animal Medicine

Program Assistant Director

Dr. Fabio Del Ppiero

[email protected] 

Pathobiological Sciences

Experiences

Kenneth F. Burns Summer Fellowship

Funds will provide stipends of an amount compatible with the NIH pre-doctoral stipend scale (approximately $6,700) for veterinary students following their 1st or 2nd years of veterinary school. The Kenneth F. Burns Fellow will spend 10-11 weeks during the summer at an AAALAC and/or AVMA-accredited School or College of Veterinary Medicine, public or private research institution, university, or medical school. Qualifying fellowships may be tailored to particular student interests and are intended to introduce student participants to career opportunities in any aspect of the broad field of laboratory animal science, including clinical laboratory animal medicine (clinical service and administration, experimental surgery, or animal welfare and behavior); pathology (anatomic or clinical); or biomedical research involving laboratory animals. Usually 2-4 positions are funded yearly depending on available funds.

Application deadline: February 16, 2024, for the summer of 2024. Notification of award will be made on or before February 28, 2024.

APPLY FOR A SUMMER FELLOWSHIP

Kenneth F. Burns Externship

Funds will be used to enhance the existing veterinary curriculum by providing travel awards for veterinary students in their 3rd and 4th years to travel to other AAALAC and/or AVMA-accredited Schools or Colleges of Veterinary Medicine, or to public or private research institutions, universities, or medical schools, for half-block or full block externships in laboratory animal medicine or pathology (anatomic or clinical). Up to $1,000 will be awarded for reimbursement of travel, housing, and meal expenses, for a two-week externship, up to $1,500 for a three-week externship, and up to $2,000 for a four-week externship. Students may apply for up to two awards.

Application deadline: Applications will be accepted throughout the year. Please allow at least two months for processing of the application.

Note: This experience will not satisfy the externship requirement for obtaining a veterinary license in Louisiana. The externship will be managed as a “Special Topics” course, with Dr. Stout (laboratory animal medicine) or Dr. “To Be Determined” (Pathology) serving as course leader for the purposes of assigning a pass/fail grade.

APPLY FOR AN EXTERNSHIP