2010 Merck Merial Veterinary Scholars Program at TCSVM

Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine (TCSVM) has been awarded a grant through the Merck Merial Veterinary Scholars Program. Funding for the 2010 program has been provided by the Merck Company Foundation, Merck Research Laboratories, and Merial.

The program is designed to expose talented veterinary students to opportunities inherent in a research career. This hands-on experience will increase confidence in pursuing research activities, and provide the skills necessary to critically evaluate research findings and their potential applications within the scope of clinical careers. The growing recognition of the complex interdependence of animal and human health has created a special need to train veterinarians in research.

Scholar Selection:

This program is open to students from all US veterinary schools and one veterinary student will be selected to participate in this program. Applicants must submit a short research proposal not exceeding three pages. In preparation for the proposal, students are encouraged to visits different laboratories, and select a mentor after discussing topics with different investigators. Visit the following website for potential mentors.

Non-TCSVM students should contact the program director in January 2010 for selection of mentors. Dr. Sawkat Anwer

The grant will provide funds for the following:

Stipend: $5,100

Travel: to Merck Merial Symposium at University of Georgia (August 5-8, 2010).

Scholar Activities (Extra-Research and Presentations)

In addition to conducting the research identified in the proposal, each trainee will have the opportunity to participate in additional activities.

• Attend Journal Club meetings in the department of the mentor. This is intended to provide training in critical evaluation of a scientific publication.
• Attend a special two-hour seminar on statistical methods.
• Attend a two-hour seminar on “Responsible Conduct of Research”.
• Participate in field trips to Boston Scientific, Tufts New England Medical Center, and Charles River Labs will be arranged to allow students to tour a biomedical research company, an academic research facility, and a high quality laboratory animal medicine production and contract research facility. Informal meeting with investigators and laboratory animal veterinarians will also be arranged for discussion of career paths in these various areas.
• Present research findings at the TCSVM annual Student Research Day.
• Attend campus research seminars during the summer.
• Present research findings at the TCSVM annual Student Research Day in October (optional for non-TCSVM students).
• Attend the 2010 Merck Merial Veterinary Scholars Symposium August 5-8, 2010 at University of Georgia.

Important Dates:

• Submit three copies and an electronic copy of your proposal along with your letter of interest to Dr. Anwer, Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Administration Building, 200 Westboro Rd., North Grafton, MA 01536 on or before January 31, 2010 (February 9, 2010 for non-TCSVM students).
• Dates of attendance: 1st week of June, 2010 to 2nd week of August, 2010.
• Merck Merial Symposium – August 5-8, 2010
• Presentation at TCSVM Student Research Day in October, 2010.

Additional proposal Information:

• The proposal submitted by the applicant must include the aims of the study, background, proposed methods, significance and references. Click on the following for details: Application Procedures
• The faculty committee will evaluate the proposals based on the following criteria:
  
  1.Is the justification/rationale of the proposed hypothesis/study clearly stated?
  2.Are the methodologies appropriate for the study?
  3.Can the project be satisfactorily completed during the summer time period?

For further information, contact:
Dr. M. Sawkat Anwer
Program Director
sawkat.anwer@tufts.edu
(508) 839-8788