Project Summary/Abstract
The objective of the short-term research training program, the Veterinary Research Scholars
Program (VRSP), is to provide veterinary students having completed their 1st or 2nd year, with an
intensive 12-week summer research-oriented experience, a research mentor & advocate, and
journal clubs & workshops to teach research study design and skills, research ethics, and writing
and presenting research results. This application requests funding for 8 scholars annually for 5
years who will be paired with elite faculty research mentors representing 10 departments at K-
State. Scholars will benefit from strong K-State research expertise in the areas of 1) infection-
immunity & public health, 2) comparative medicine-model organisms-translational research, 3)
cellular function in health and disease, and 4) basic and applied physiology & pharmacology. To
ensure that the most highly qualified applicants apply, scholars will be actively recruited from the
K-State CVM as well as nationally and internationally, and strategic efforts are in place to increase
diversity within our applicant pool. In addition to mentored hypothesis-driven research and weekly
activities, scholars will benefit from guest speakers and tours to local research facilities (i.e.
corporate, USDA) to meet veterinarian researchers and learn about exciting career options. All
scholars will be required to present their research at the K-State Summer Research Day, National
Veterinary Scholars Symposium, as well as at the K-State Phi Zeta Research Day and will be
encouraged to publish their work in peer-reviewed journals. Through providing this intensive
summer experience, the goal of the VRSP is to provide the foundational tools and inspiration for
talented veterinary scholars to pursue research degrees and careers as veterinarian researchers.
Since K-State VRSP’s inception in 1998, more than 270 scholars have completed research
through the K-State VRSP and more than 40% subsequently pursued advanced training,
demonstrating the impact of the mentored research program on supplying veterinarian
researchers to today’s workforce. Program alumni have become successful veterinarian
researchers, advancing science with careers in academic research and teaching, public health
(e.g., CDC, USDA), and in public policy development. The VRSP has an experienced leadership
team, with both an external and internal advisory committees to ensure this success continues.
With strong K-State, CVM, and faculty commitment to programmatic success, cutting edge
research with outstanding biomedical scientists and laboratories at K-State, and renewed NIH
support from the T35 program, K-State’s VRSP aims to continue leading the way in training the
veterinarian researchers of tomorrow.