This summer, several students at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine traded their stethoscopes for lab coats, immersing themselves in cutting-edge biomedical, clinical, and public health research.

From analyzing MRI images to studying bacteria, these future veterinarians explored scientific questions that could impact both animal and human health. 

The Summer Veterinary Student Research Program, now in its 17th year, offers an intensive 11-week experience designed to allow students to explore research careers and equip them with essential skills for scientific investigation. Sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, Boehringer Ingelheim, and the college, the program has become a cornerstone of the college's veterinary education. 

"It is a very engaged group of students," said Ansar Ahmed, the program's director. "We had DVM scientists give presentations weekly, and their feedback was that the students were really engaged. They're asking some sharp questions."

For faculty members like Joanne Tuohy,  assistant professor of surgical oncology in small animal clinical sciences, the program represents a crucial investment in the future of veterinary medicine. "I think it's essential to help develop and train our future clinician-scientists and have an increased awareness and interest in research," Tuohy said. "I love teaching and training students."

Tuohy's enthusiasm for the program stems from personal experience. "My first summer in vet school, I did this program," she said. "And then during my second summer in vet school, I did the Morris Animal Foundation Student Scholar Program. It was an amazing experience." 

Diverse experiences, common curiosity

This year's cohort represented a cross section of veterinary education, from first-year students to those on the cusp of graduation. Some, like Samantha Janko, brought years of research experience to the table. Others were dipping their toes into the world of scientific inquiry for the first time. 

Janko, who holds a Ph.D. in systems engineering, saw the program as a bridge between her past and future. "This program was a perfect opportunity for me to see if I could marry those two because I had never done any research in this space before," she said. Her project focused on applying artificial intelligence to analyze MRI images, which traditionally require time-consuming manual tracing. 

For John Kett, a fourth-year veterinary student, the program offered a chance to explore the research side of his chosen specialty. "I'm potentially interested in pursuing some sort of small animal clinical specialty," Kett said. "Understanding and participating in research is a big component of that."

Kett's project involved studying histotripsy in dogs using MRI technology. Despite the steep learning curve, he found the experience invaluable. "You do start to pick it up," he said about interpreting MRI images. "I'm sure that experienced oncologists or radiologists know way more than I do, but you start picking it up."

Exploring research

Malik Torres, a first-year student who worked in veterinary clinics for a decade before starting veterinary school, saw the program as a way to round out his skill set. "In a DVM curriculum, you don't have much exposure to research," he said. "I wanted to strengthen and fortify that and confirm whether research is for me."

Although his project in bacteriology was outside his intended focus on cardiology, Torres embraced the opportunity. "I was kind of closed-minded, but after engaging in the project, I liked it a lot," he said. "Which I suppose is the whole point of the program – to expose you to things that you wouldn't do otherwise."

Beyond the lab

The program extends far beyond individual research projects. Students participate in weekly seminars featuring veterinary scientists from various fields. They also went on field trips to government facilities in Washington, D.C., taking a firsthand look at career opportunities in federal agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

"The USDA visit was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Torres said. "We may not have time to make that journey otherwise."

These experiences often led to unexpected revelations. Janko found herself inspired by those balancing research and clinical practice. "I was able to meet a lot of DVMs who are balancing research and clinical practice, which I liked," she said.

Ahmed said these moments of discovery are what make the program special. "Some of them did indicate they wanted to do other training, like Ph.D., residency, and things like that," he said. “So I'm very happy with this."

Bridging animal and human health

The summer research program underscores the critical role veterinarians play in advancing biomedical research. The program's focus is the intersection of animal and human health, which combined with environmental health is often referred to as One Health.

"Veterinarians deal with diseases that can be transmitted to humans, and many animal diseases are similar to human conditions," Ahmed said. "By training DVM students in scientific research, we're preparing them to contribute to animal and human health."

"This scientific training increases awareness of disease processes and leads to more collaboration between veterinarians and medical researchers,” Ahmed said. “It's about breaking down the barriers between animal and human medicine to benefit both."

Looking to the future

As the summer program draws to a close, many students find themselves reconsidering their career paths. 

"I thought I would do private practice cardiology," Torres said. “But one of the benefits of vet school and this program is that I learned that I love engaging with people and using the didactic approach. So instead of being a private practice cardiologist, I may be in academia."

For Kett, the experience reinforced the importance of research in clinical practice. "I learned a lot about MRIs and osteosarcoma as well," he said. "Just getting to work with Dr. Tuohy, just in general when she manages these cases, just learning from her and learning a lot about the management of osteosarcoma cases. That alone, it helped me grow a lot."

The program's impact on the students will likely extend beyond this summer. "It is a platitude, but don't close the door on any opportunity," Torres said. "Go into it with an open mind and think about what you can gain from it."

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