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CVM Summer Scholars Research Program

2009 Summer Scholars
2009 Summer Scholars

About the Program:

The Summer Scholar Research Program is designed to introduce veterinary medicine students to research in a wide array of areas such as clinical medicine, animal science, public health, epidemiology, pharmacology, biomechanics, neuroscience, immunology, parasitology, molecular genetics and cellular or molecular pathology. Participants choose to investigate specific issues that match their particular interest and the work of an established researcher. Scholars will work with faculty mentors and other research personnel for approximately three months (May-August). Through hands-on experiences, seminars and tours, students will gain valuable perspectives on the exciting roles played by veterinarians in biomedical and public health research.

Special courses and journal review groups will assist scholars in learning about critical thinking skills in research, preparing hypothesis-based proposals, designing statistically sound experiments, and appropriate interpretation and presentation of data. The training program is offered through Iowa State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, and applications for participants are being sought from students enrolled in ALL colleges and schools of veterinary medicine in the U.S.

Watch former Summer Scholars participants describe their experiences:

Laura Durant-Elliott   Katherine Gibson-Corley, DVM, Dipl. ACVP
 

Who is Eligible to Participate:

The program is open to first and second year veterinary students. Students enrolled in graduate programs are NOT eligible to participate.

Stipend:

CVM Summer Scholar Program is funded by a grant from National Institutes of Health, Merck-Merial Veterinary Scholars Research Grants Program and funds of ISU College of Veterinary Medicine. Each scholar will receive $425 per week for the entire 13 week program (1 week is vacation).

Application Procedures:

If you want to expand your mind by working in a stimulating research environment, submit an application on-line by February 2nd. Application Form

Research Scholar On-line application will request the following information:

  • A brief resume
  • Names and phone numbers of two references
  • One-page personal statement (related to the research program -- what you bring to the program or hope to gain as a participant)

Selection Criteria:

  • Work and research interests/experience
  • Stated long-term goals
  • Communication skills
  • Potential for success
  • Academic performance

Deadlines:

Deadline for mentor proposal abstracts: January 29th.

February 2nd is the deadline for having a completed application packet submitted online to the Office for Research and Graduate Studies at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University.

Match with Research Mentors:

The match between a Research Scholar and a Faculty Mentor is central to the Summer Scholars Research experience. Once students are selected as Research Scholars, several steps occur to create the appropriate match. Link to Mentor Pages

Faculty mentors will have submitted a research abstract describing an important problem to be investigated and specific aims associated with the proposed research project. Then:

  1. Lists of the selected mentors and their proposed projects are given to each of the student research scholars.
  2. The scholars are asked to rank their preferences for participating mentors. Similarly, mentors will rank the students (based on the application information).
  3. Next, matches are made by the program directors. Following the match, scholars and mentors collaborate to complete research proposals. A committee will evaluate the proposals for scientific merit and will return recommendations to both the scholar and mentor.
  4. The applicant will be notified about the matching process by email.

Areas of Emphasis:

Areas to be emphasized in research training include:

  • Cutting edge approaches & technologies in cellular and molecular biology research
  • Critical thinking skills in research
  • Scientific writing
  • Animal use in research
  • Ethics in research
  • Hypothesis-based research proposal preparation
  • Experimental design and data analysis
  • Career opportunities for DVMs in biomedical research, laboratory animal medicine and public health

Nondiscrimination Policy

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. veteran. Inquiries can be directed to the Director of Equal Opportunity and Diversity, 3680 Beardshear Hall, (515) 294-7612.

Contact Information

Application Address

Office of Research & Grad. Studies
College of Veterinary Medicine
Attention: Dr. Lisa Nolan
Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa 50011-1250

For further information, contact:

Dr. Lisa Nolan
cvmres@iastate.edu
Phone: 515-294-9348
Fax: 515-294-8956

Merial Veterinary Scholars Program

The official Merial Veterinary Scholars Program's website can be located at:
http://www.merialscholars.com