# See Us-Be Us: Inspiring future veterinarians using a Veterinary STEM Ecosystem

> **NIH NIH R25** · PURDUE UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $270,000

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The lack of diversity (91.2% White) in the veterinarian-scientist workforce is a very serious concern and
impacts the profession’s ability to serve a society undergoing dramatic demographic shifts. Veterinary colleges
and professional organizations have put forth significant effort to recruit underrepresented students; however,
most efforts target high school students, a time when racial and ethnic disparities are already evident.
Meanwhile, young children are ruling out veterinary careers because of a lack of relatable role models. The
overall vision of this team is to establish a diverse veterinary workforce by developing a far-reaching, inclusive
veterinary STEM ecosystem consisting of US veterinary colleges (28/30 (93%) participating), veterinary work
settings (practice, research, industry, government), and community entities serving disadvantaged youth. By
working towards this critical vision, See Us-Be Us will be able to meet the goals of the 2014 NIH Physician-
Scientist Workforce Working Group and the 2018 Committee on STEM Education of the National Science and
Technology Council. As a step toward this vision, See Us-Be Us will provide a supportive role model network
and veterinary STEM educational resources to inspire and prepare underrepresented youth to pursue careers
in veterinary medicine. This goal will be attained through three specific aims. The focus of Aim 1 is to establish
an army of diverse, equity-minded veterinarians who will provide disadvantaged K-4 students direct,
supportive veterinary role models. Veterinary medical students will be certified to deliver STEM lessons to
children in communities surrounding veterinary colleges, while in school, and then after graduation, will be
equipped and supported to continue this effort in their home communities. Aim 2 is focused on developing
SuperPower Packs, self-guided veterinary STEM educational experiences that feature underrepresented
veterinarians, for disadvantaged children lacking access to direct supportive veterinary role models. Aim 3
develops a Web-based role model networking hub and podcasts, for middle and high school students to learn
about relatable veterinary professionals, find specific career information, and take advantage of experiential
and mentoring opportunities. Combined, these aims will enhance opportunities for students from underserved
communities, beginning in elementary school, to have authentic veterinary STEM experiences while being
supported by diverse veterinary role models, as they advance through the educational pipeline. Elementary
school teachers will serve as consultants to ensure that educational materials are consistent with Next
Generation Science Standards, and will assist in training role models to better communicate the societal impact
of their work. The ecosystem will continue to use the successful model of engaging students in STEM activities
by communicating the impact of veterinary medical research on public h...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10896410
- **Project number:** 5R25GM137169-05
- **Recipient organization:** PURDUE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Sandra F San Miguel
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $270,000
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-08-01 → 2025-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10896410

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10896410, See Us-Be Us: Inspiring future veterinarians using a Veterinary STEM Ecosystem (5R25GM137169-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10896410. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*