# Summer Veterinary Student Research Fellows at Wake Forest University

> **NIH NIH T35** · WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · 2021 · $31,185

## Abstract

Project Summary
We are requesting continuing support for 5 summer veterinary research fellowships at Wake Forest School of
Medicine, as part of a multilevel training program in comparative medicine and biomedical research. Our
smaller training program is an impactful and unique opportunity for student to see DVMs as research
scientists in a medical school environment. Students will also gain exposure to the use of NHPs and other
animals as translational models for human health. The national shortage of veterinary scientists in biomedical
research is well documented in terms of vacant veterinary research positions and unmet collaborative needs.
This shortage has resulted in deficits in the quality of research findings and lost productivity among
researchers using animals. Correcting the dearth of veterinary researchers requires education of veterinary
students regarding research methods and opportunities and the unique value of their professional skills.
Early exposure to research and the diversity of career options available post-graduation from veterinary
school is the most promising strategy. Therefore, the proposed summer research program seeks to expose
veterinary students to biomedical research through practical experience. Objectives are (1) To provide a
structured summer research experience at Wake Forest School of Medicine; (2) to teach students in the
program the basic elements of hypothesis driven research, grant writing, and data analysis; (3) to provide
training in ethics and professionalism in research; and (4) to provide the students with experience in oral and
written presentation of scientific findings. Training will be principally accomplished by one on one mentoring
through completion of a research project guided by a senior researcher chosen from a pool of 26 program
faculty (over a third of mentors are veterinarians) in diverse fields including pathology, comparative medicine,
biology of aging, surgery, physiology/pharmacology, neurobiology, rheumatology/immunology, hypertension,
cardiovascular disease, diabetes, nutrition, cancer, radiation countermeasures, and reproductive
medicine/women’s health. Students will also participate in a dedicated short course in research survival
skills, and in ongoing seminars and journal clubs in the Section on Comparative Medicine. Students will write
a research proposal and a final report of their findings, and will be encouraged to present their findings
nationally and to publish. This program will provide opportunities for original scientific thought, ethical
reflection, and acquisition of critical skills, in a setting uniquely supportive of veterinarians as independent
researchers within an environment that is singly aimed at improving human health and the promotion of
translational medicine.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10165846
- **Project number:** 5T35OD010946-13
- **Recipient organization:** WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
- **Principal Investigator:** Kylie Kavanagh
- **Activity code:** T35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $31,185
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2009-04-01 → 2024-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10165846

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10165846, Summer Veterinary Student Research Fellows at Wake Forest University (5T35OD010946-13). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10165846. Licensed CC0.

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