Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine's Summer Research Program: Shaping Future Veterinarians Through Scientific Discovery

This summer, students at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine traded their stethoscopes for lab coats as they delved into the world of biomedical, clinical, and public health research. The Summer Veterinary Student Research Program, now in its 17th year, offered these future veterinarians an immersive 11-week experience that allowed them to explore scientific questions with the potential to impact both animal and human health.

From analyzing MRI images to studying bacteria, the program provided students with hands-on opportunities to engage in research that could shape their future careers. Sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, Boehringer Ingelheim, and the college, this program has become a cornerstone of veterinary education at Virginia-Maryland.

"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."

Investing in the Future of Veterinary Medicine

For faculty members like Dr. 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 increase awareness and interest in research," Tuohy said. "I love teaching and training students."

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

Diverse Experiences, Common Curiosity

This year's cohort of students represented a wide range of experiences and stages in their veterinary education, from first-year students to those nearing graduation. Some, like Samantha Janko, brought extensive research experience to the table, while others were exploring scientific inquiry for the first time.

Janko, who holds a Ph.D. in systems engineering, viewed 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, traditionally a time-consuming process requiring manual tracing.

For John Kett, a fourth-year veterinary student, the program offered a chance to explore research in his chosen specialty. "I'm potentially interested in pursuing a 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, and despite the steep learning curve, he found the experience invaluable.

Exploring New Horizons

For Malik Torres, a first-year student who spent a decade working in veterinary clinics before starting veterinary school, the program was an opportunity to broaden his skills. "In a DVM curriculum, you don't have much exposure to research," Torres said. "I wanted to strengthen and fortify that and confirm whether research is for me." Though his project in bacteriology was outside his intended focus on cardiology, Torres embraced the experience. "I was kind of closed-minded, but after engaging in the project, I liked it a lot," he admitted. "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 Summer Veterinary Student Research Program extends far beyond individual research projects. Students also participated in weekly seminars featuring veterinary scientists from various fields and went on field trips to government facilities in Washington, D.C., where they explored career opportunities in federal agencies like 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 veterinarians 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 noted that these moments of discovery are what make the program special. "Some of them indicated they wanted to pursue additional training, like a Ph.D., residency, and other advanced studies," 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 on the intersection of animal and human health, a concept known as One Health, highlights the importance of veterinarians in both fields.

"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 both animal and human health."

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

Looking to the Future

As the summer program comes 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," he said. "Just getting to work with Dr. Tuohy, learning from her, and understanding the management of osteosarcoma cases helped me grow a lot."

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

As these future veterinarians return to their studies, the skills and insights they gained this summer will continue to shape their paths, contributing to the ever-evolving field of veterinary medicine.