# Georgia Veterinary Scholars Summer Research Program

> **NIH NIH T35** · UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA · 2020 · $72,425

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
The aim of the Georgia Veterinary Scholars Research Program (GVSP) at the University of Georgia College of
Veterinary Medicine (UGA-CVM) is to immerse academically talented veterinary students from across the US in
cutting edge research inspiring them toward careers in biomedical research, and fostering in them a deeper
understanding of the myriad roles, and vital need, for veterinarians in research. Critical to this aim is the GVSP's
commitment to broad, inclusive recruitment of students and careful pairing with strong, cross-disciplinary mentors
who are not only capable of providing a thorough exposure to the principles underlying the conduct of research,
but who also provide a scientific environment that instills a sense of community. A specific effort is necessary
to recruit biomedical scientists with broad medical training, such as our veterinary graduates, as partners in the
nation's biomedical research endeavors. Veterinarians are well equipped to provide a critically needed
comparative organismal biology approach to the frontiers of biomedical research, including animal cloning,
transgenics, development of medical devices, and translational medicine. Veterinarians are also ideally trained
to recognize spontaneous animal models of human disease and are key players in the disciplines of public
health, emerging infectious diseases and food safety. Nevertheless, veterinary students are often not aware of
the wealth of career opportunities in research and in many cases do not recognize the role of veterinarians in
these exciting areas. Clearly for the promises of “One Health” and translational medicine to be realized in
healthier people and animals, we will need more veterinarians engaged in research. The renewal of our
training grant will help us accomplish the important aim of showcasing the excitement and wonder of research
careers to future veterinarians with the intent to prompt them to choose research as their career. During the 12-
week summer program seven pre-doctoral veterinary student trainees (35 total trainees for the five year project
period) are welcomed into the discipline and camaraderie of the scientific community and challenged to think
creatively. Fundamental skills are conveyed through seminars on topics including ethics, responsible conduct of
research, scientific rigor, animal welfare, and communication skills. Relaxed journal club discussions, team
building exercises and site visits to local research organizations contribute to a sense of community and
excitement about future research possibilities. The central experience is full time hypothesis-driven research with
a mentor of the student's choosing, culminating in written and oral presentations at the university and national
levels. The PI is the Director of GVSP and 36 mentors spanning 12 departments in 6 colleges and schools within
UGA support the program. An advisory and a mentoring committee further support the progress of the program
and ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9895478
- **Project number:** 5T35OD010433-14
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
- **Principal Investigator:** SUSAN SANCHEZ
- **Activity code:** T35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $72,425
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2006-04-01 → 2022-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9895478

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9895478, Georgia Veterinary Scholars Summer Research Program (5T35OD010433-14). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9895478. Licensed CC0.

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