# Summer Veterinary Student Research Program (SVSRP)

> **NIH NIH T35** · VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INST AND ST UNIV · 2022 · $50,898

## Abstract

Veterinary students are uniquely qualified in comparative medicine, a training that is a resource in
animal model research. Yet, a majority of students do not pursue research careers, principally because
of lack of exposure to biomedical research. This competing renewal proposal for our Summer
Veterinary Student Research Program (SVSRP) at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary
Medicine (VMCVM) will train veterinary medicine students in research skills and encourage them to
pursue a research career. We will recruit from all 30 accredited veterinary medical schools in the
nation, particularly from Tuskegee University with the objective of recruiting underrepresented
minorities. A total of 6 new DVM-seeking scholars will be recruited each year during the next five year
funding period of the program. SVSRP will provide students with experience in areas of research that
couple student interests with research in animal models of infectious disease, immunology and
inflammation and vertebrate genetics. Mentors will be assigned by the Advisory and Selection
Committee to applicants based on applicant interests. Students will receive training in the writing of
research proposals and scientific papers, biostatistics and experimental design, reports and
presentations, visual display of quantitative information. Their training will also include humane care
and use of animal models and the ethical conduct of research as led by speakers with expertise in
human experimentation, the Belmont Report, the Animal Welfare Act, scientific integrity and rigor and
reproducibility. A unique feature of this program will be a visit to the NIH, USDA, and other agencies in
Washington, DC to better understand research career opportunities for veterinarians and to learn how
public policy is influenced by research. After completing orientation and writing a research proposal,
students will spend nine weeks in the mentor's laboratory doing research. To sustain interest in
biomedical research, we will organize a weekly meeting with successful DVM researchers from
academia, government, or biotech industries. VMCVM has successfully administered summer
research training programs in the past, culminating in training 143 DVM students in biomedical
research since 1995. Since administering this T35 SVSRP in 2006, we have completed essentially all
that we originally proposed during the last 10 years. Renewal of this SVSRP will enable the VMCVM to
continue providing opportunities and training to DVM students in biomedical research and encourage
pursuit of a research-based career as world-class scientists.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10137343
- **Project number:** 5T35OD011887-15
- **Recipient organization:** VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INST AND ST UNIV
- **Principal Investigator:** S ANSAR AHMED
- **Activity code:** T35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $50,898
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2005-10-01 → 2023-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10137343

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10137343, Summer Veterinary Student Research Program (SVSRP) (5T35OD011887-15). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10137343. Licensed CC0.

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