# Training Veterinary Students for Careers in Biomedical Research

> **NIH NIH T35** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $34,126

## Abstract

Veterinarian scientists greatly strengthen the translational bridge between basic science and clinical medicine.
Their dual training endows them with unique expertise that enhances the rigor and reproducibility of research
with animal models and improves animal welfare. To succeed in a research career, veterinarians must build on
the foundation in comparative medicine gained through their veterinary education by engaging in PhD
programs or postdoctoral fellowships that provide rigorous training in biomedical research. This is a path that
ideally begins while still a veterinary student, with the student participating in mentored research projects and
networking with veterinarian-researcher role models. This proposal seeks to expand existing summer training
program opportunities for veterinary students in biomedical research at the Johns Hopkins University (JHU)
School of Medicine as a means to recruit more veterinarians to research careers. The proposed T35 Scholars
Program will ignite a passion for biomedical research in participating students thorough immersion in a
mentored summer research project at our top tier academic medical center. The Department of Molecular and
Comparative Pathobiology (DMCP), a basic sciences department in the JHU School of Medicine that serves as
the academic home for DVM faculty at JHU, will provide a supportive home base replete with veterinarian-
scientist role models from postdoctoral fellows in our T32-funded training program to tenured professors with
R01-funded independent research labs. DMCP will additionally host a program of career development activities
educating the veterinary students about the careers available to veterinarians in research. We request funding
for the proposed 12 week program for 4 summer veterinary student trainee slots / year for the first two years, to
expand to 6 slots / year for the final three years. The proposed T35 Scholars Program will complement and
integrate into our existing summer programs that have >90% success in preparing veterinary students for
research-intensive careers. Through the establishment of a T35 Scholar Program at JHU DMCP, we hope to
offer an outstanding opportunity for veterinary students to learn about and prepare themselves to be future
veterinarian-scientists as well as leaders in biomedical research.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10544293
- **Project number:** 5T35OD024982-05
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** JOSEPH L MANKOWSKI
- **Activity code:** T35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $34,126
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-01-01 → 2025-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10544293

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10544293, Training Veterinary Students for Careers in Biomedical Research (5T35OD024982-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10544293. Licensed CC0.

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