# Summer Veterinary Student Research Fellows at Wake Forest University

> **NIH NIH T35** · WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · 2024 · $52,615

## Abstract

Project Summary
We are requesting continuing support for 5 summer veterinary research fellowships at Wake Forest
University 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 over 30 program faculty which are highly enriched with research veterinarians working 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:** 10929002
- **Project number:** 2T35OD010946-16
- **Recipient organization:** WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
- **Principal Investigator:** Kylie Kavanagh
- **Activity code:** T35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $52,615
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2009-04-01 → 2029-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10929002

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10929002, Summer Veterinary Student Research Fellows at Wake Forest University (2T35OD010946-16). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10929002. Licensed CC0.

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