Summer Research Training of Veterinary Medical Students

描述（由申请人提供）：国家科学院的多个委员会已经确定了兽医训练的生物医学研究人员的严重短缺。我们提出的兽医学生暑期研究培训计划，被称为“暑期研究学者计划”，旨在通过体验式学习机会来解决这个问题。我们期望在课程早期的实践研究经验将扩大兽医学生对生物医学研究职业的认识。这一发展的关键是将高素质的兽医学生与选定的NIH资助的生物医学研究人员相匹配。学生将体验研究密集的环境，接触成功的研究榜样，并参加高质量的系列研讨会，讨论生物医学和比较医学研究中的重大问题。这些主题包括研究中的伦理问题，动物使用和护理，实验和统计设计，以及数据的适当解释。小组杂志俱乐部将讨论文章的批判性评论和强化讲座的主题。学生还将进行实地考察，了解研究中使用的尖端技术，并亲身体验兽医在生物医学研究、实验动物医学和公共卫生方面所发挥的作用。在项目结束时，学生们将参加“夏季研究学者日”，这是一个正式的海报会议，学生们将向所有参与实验室的研究人员和同学展示他们的发现。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): A critical shortage of veterinary-trained biomedical researchers has been identified by multiple committees of the National Academies of Science. Our proposal of the Summer Research Training Program for Veterinary Medical Students, referred to as the "Summer Research Scholars Program," seeks to address this problem through an experiential learning opportunity. We expect that hands-on research experience that occurs early in the curriculum will expand veterinary students' awareness of careers in biomedical research. A key to this development will be matching highly qualified veterinary students with selected, NIH funded, biomedical researcher faculty members. The students will experience research-intensive environments, exposure to successful research role models and a quality seminar series addressing significant issues in biomedical and comparative medical research. These topics include ethical issues in research, animal use and care, experimental and statistical design, and appropriate interpretation of data. Small group journal clubs will address critical review of articles and reinforce topics from lectures. The students will also take field trips to learn about cutting edge technologies utilized in research and to experience first hand the role that veterinarians play in biomedical research, laboratory animal medicine and public health. At the conclusion of the program, students will participate in the "Summer Research Scholars Day" a formal poster session in which students present their findings to researchers and fellow students from all of the participating laboratories. We are requesting support for 5 students per year. Students for this program will be selected from first and second year classes in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University and from other colleges /schools of veterinary medicine across the United States. Additionally, we will place emphasis on recruiting veterinary students of under-represented groups. The impact of the program in encouraging veterinary medical students will be assessed each year and four years after graduation to determine the extent to which it has influenced graduates to pursue careers in biomedical research. The College is committed to the success of this program and is providing up to $25,000 per year of support. The high caliber of veterinary medical students, the outstanding faculty mentors, and a supportive research environment with a well-established summer research training program make Iowa State University an ideal place to provide training in biomedical sciences for future veterinarians.