# Summer Veterinary Student Research (SVSRP)

> **NIH NIH T35** · VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INST AND ST UNIV · 2024 · $34,763

## Abstract

Veterinary students are particularly qualified in comparative medicine, a training that is an invaluable
resource in animal model research. However, most students do not pursue research careers because
of a 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 research careers. We will recruit from all 30 accredited veterinary medical schools in the nation,
particularly from Tuskegee and Mississippi Universities, to recruit underrepresented minorities. A total
of six 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 research areas that couple student
interests with infectious disease, immunology and inflammation, neuroscience, and oncology/clinical
research. The Advisory and Selection Committee will assign mentors to applicants based on applicant
interests. Students will receive training in writing research proposals and scientific papers, experimental
design, biostatistics, reports, presentations, and visual display of quantitative information. Their training
will also include the humane use of animal models, human subjects research, responsible conduct of
research 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
visiting the NIH, USDA, FDA, and other agencies in Washington, DC, and Bethesda, MD, to see first-
hand the role of veterinarians at these institutions and learn how public policy is influenced by research.
After completing orientation and writing a research proposal, students will spend nine weeks conducting
hands-on research in the mentor's laboratory. To sustain interest in biomedical research, we will
organize a weekly meeting with successful DVM researchers from academia, government, or
biotech/biopharma industries. VMCVM, since 1995 has successfully administered summer research
training programs, culminating in training 189 DVM students in biomedical research. Since
administering this T35 SVSRP in 2006, we have completed essentially all that we originally proposed
during the last 14 years. Renewing this SVSRP will enable the VMCVM to continue providing
opportunities and training to DVM students in biomedical research and encourage pursuing a research-
based career.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10782969
- **Project number:** 5T35OD011887-17
- **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:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $34,763
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2005-10-01 → 2028-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10782969

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10782969, Summer Veterinary Student Research (SVSRP) (5T35OD011887-17). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10782969. Licensed CC0.

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