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Merck-Merial Vet Scholar Program

2008 Merck-Merial Veterinary Scholar Program

Summer Research Program - Extracurricular Activities
Seminar Schedule 6/23/08

Objective of the Program

The objective of the program is to provide an opportunity for students enrolled in the professional veterinary program (designated as Merck-Merial Veterinary Scholars) to have a faculty-guided, positive, and rewarding research experience in the basic or clinical sciences. In addition, the program provides an introduction to research issues, facilities, opportunities, and current research topics. The format is a research experience that occurs primarily in the summer, but literature search, proposal writing, and project planning all occur prior to the summer. The goal of the program is to increase the number of graduating veterinarians who choose a career in research that focuses on animal health and disease. The program is considered successful if it increases student awareness of the excitement and challenges of the research process, and of course, if it increases the number of DVMs who choose a research-related career.

Eligibility

First, second, and third-year professional veterinary students in good academic standing at any of the veterinary schools in the United States and Canada are eligible to apply.
Students with advanced degrees (i.e. M.S. or Ph.D.) are not eligible to apply.
Students who have previously participated in a summer research program while in veterinary school are not eligible to apply.

Application Process

Faculty members interested and willing to serve as mentors for this program have prepared a brief description of their research interests, which are posted on this site in early January 2008 (link below). Veterinary students at Oregon State University and around the country have a chance to review these descriptions and contact potential mentors working in an area of mutual research interest. A mentor must agree to provide a supportive and learning atmosphere with consistent supervision and direction given to the student. Each student must commit to working full-time on the research project including attending all laboratory and program meetings. Students contacting possible faculty mentors should make sure that the mentor will be in town for the majority of the summer research period and will arrange for supervision during any absences.

The potential faculty mentor and scholars will meet before the winter break. Faculty mentors will provide a brief introduction to their research interests at this meeting. Scholars write a two page research application under the guidance of the faculty mentor to be submitted to the Program Director. Submission will be reviewed and ranked by an ad hoc committee. Veterinary students with advanced degrees (M.S. or PhD) will not be eligible for the program. Students who have already participated in a College-funded summer research program will also not be eligible for this program. Applications will be due February 1, 2008. Those accepted for the program will be announced by February 15, 2008. Application form: PDF format, MS Word format or MS Word Interactive format.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be ranked based on the independence of the project (pre-existing projects will not be approved), likelihood of successful completion in the time frame available, relevance to a significant veterinary problem and quality of hypothesis, objectives and description of methods.

Submission of applications by students from other veterinary schools is encouraged. Up to two of the six stipends will be awarded to successful external applicant(s).

Stipend

Students will receive a stipend of $5,100 for the summer period. In addition, $1,000 will be available for use in completing the project (for reagents, assays, etc.) for projects mentored by faculty affiliated with OSU.

Dates

January 4, 2008: Statements of research interests from potential faculty mentors due to Program Director
January 9, 2008: Noon meeting for interested students and potential faculty mentors, 298 Magruder Hall
February 1, 2008: Proposals due to Program Director
February 15, 2008: Notification of 2008 Scholars and faculty mentors

Extracurricular activities

Students participate in a block of seminars at the beginning of the summer that explores diverse research-related issues and challenges such as manuscript and grant preparation, experimental design, laboratory record-keeping, presentation skills, and ethics of research.
A field trip will be scheduled prior to the summer research period to occur early in the summer.
Bi-weekly group meetings will be held and enhance the camaraderie of the group and provide an opportunity to discuss specific research problems and problem-solving techniques throughout the summer.
Students present their research during the annual College research day and will be encouraged to participate actively in national meetings.