Projects seeking applicants

We are accepting applications from veterinarians seeking state-of-the-art research training in Comparative Medicine and animal models of human disease. This is an NIH comparative medicine and pathology training program that will provide sufficient broad based knowledge, quality communication skills, and advanced research training essential for a career as an independent investigator. Areas of study include cell biology, infectious disease, neurobiology, physiology, genetic diseases, molecular biology, and pharmacology. 

Requirements: Applicants must be US citizens or non citizen national with permanent residency status and graduates of an accredited veterinary school. 

To learn more: visit this site or contact [email protected]

We seek an outstanding student to pursue a MS or PhD research project to advance the study of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in the environment and in partnership with Tribal Nations. Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a neurological, degenerative disease called a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) that may affect deer, moose, and elk. The Minnesota Center for Prion Research and Outreach conducts research into CWD diagnostic test development, environmental detection and surveillance, and outreach development to better equip managers, policy makers, and our communities in controlling CWD. In partnership with the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, we are seeking a student for a project to explore the interplay between tribal cultural practices (e.g., brain tanning of hides) and CWD risk and/or spread.

To learn more, contact Dr. Tiffany Wolf.

The Center for Animal Health and Food Safety (CAHFS) is offering fully-funded positions for PhD students interested in developing their thesis projects on foreign animal disease epidemiology. The project may include opportunities for international travel to collect data in Latin America, Africa and / or South East Asia and to present research results at international conferences.

Requirements: US National

To learn more contact Dr. Andres Perez.

My position as a clinical-scientist is to recognize “gaps” in our understanding in both basic science and clinical arenas. I employ a “bedside to bench, back to bed” approach in my work. My work is unified by the study of the biology surrounding the hematopoietic system following hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT). Each area that I focus on has both a clinical and laboratory component: brain engraftment, graft failure after HCT, stem cell homing, the biology & biomarkers of metabolic storage disease including mucopolysaccharidosis type-IH, and Adrenoleukodystrophy. In engraftment studies, I try to understand how the microenvironment influences recruitment of hematopoietic stem cells to the marrow. In rare metabolic diseases (MPS-1H, Hunter Syndrome ALD, MLD, etc) I try to improve HCT for the treatment of these diseases. I also try to develop biomarkers associated with disease that can predict outcomes. Finally, my lab studies how oxidative stress affects the above disease conditions and specifically trying to understand how oxidative stress changes the function of the hematopoietic system. 

To learn more, contact Dr. Troy Lund

We are looking for individuals to join us in our efforts to cure HIV. We are focused on understanding HIV immunopathogenesis and developing a cure. We found that HIV-specific cytotoxic lymphocytes, whose job it is to track down and kill virally infected cells, are largely excluded from lymphoid B cell follicles where HIV producing cells are most concentrated.  This suggests that B cell follicles are somewhat of an immune privileged site that allows ongoing viral replication. We are working now to develop a cellular immunotherapy to target HIV-specific CTL to B cell follicles to allow an HIV infected individual's own immune system to control HIV replication in the absence of antiretroviral drugs.  

To learn more, contact Dr. Pamela Skinner.

Inflammation is a common driver of fetal loss and premature delivery during pregnancy. Although some pathogens may directly cause damage to the fetus, many studies have suggested that excessive inflammation associated with infection of the placenta can be damaging in itself. Natural killer T cells (NKT) are a special class of lymphocytes that recognize lipid antigens as opposed to peptide antigens that conventional T cells recognize. Preliminary data in mice suggests they are involved in protecting the developing placenta from damage during microbial infection. We seek to understand what pathogen(s) is involved, and how NKT cells achieve protection. This research will aid in understanding what causes miscarriage, growth restriction, and pre-term birth. 

To learn more, contact: Dr. Kristin Hogquist

The Preclinical Research Center uses an integrated interdisciplinary approach to address issues in human and animal health and well-being. The lab has a unique focus on developing methods to understand immunometabolism towards innovative therapies for diseases with high public health impact (e.g. diabetes, obesity, and infectious disease), and providing solutions to improve the efficacy and well-being of animal models.  Current projects include 1) the impacts of behavioral management on coping, physiology and well-being of primates, and 2) development of predictive biomarkers and regenerative medicine in primates-to reverse metabolic disease, induce immune tolerance, and replace damaged cells through xenotransplantation.  

Interested students should apply to MS or PhD program and review admission criteria. Encouraged to indicate interest in the project in personal statement.

Additional questions, contact the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Office of Graduate Programs

This training grant supports students studying aspects of behavior, neurobiology, and immunology, particularly as it relates to infection and drug addiction. 

Requirements: US citizenship or permanent residency. 

Please visit the PharmacoNeuroImmunology Program website for more information.

To learn more, contact Yorie Smart.

The Largaespada lab is seeking graduate students interested in the molecular drivers of osteosarcoma metastasis and chemoresistance in the lung metastatic niche, the role of hyaluronic acid in cancer drug responses, and the role of a novel oncogene called FOXR2 in pediatric neuroblastoma.  

To learn more, contact Dr. David Largaespada

The Minnesota Department of Health and select academic partners, including Dr. Thielen, were selected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to join a new academic-public health partnership, the Pathogen Genomics Centers of Excellence network. This network will focus on modernizing the public health system’s disease-investigation capabilities by integrating next generation sequencing and other advanced microbial detection technologies within CDC and in state and local public health systems. The project led by Dr. Thielen will focus on using novel molecular diagnostic techniques to describe the epidemiology of respiratory pathogens and antimicrobial resistance longitudinally in the region. Biological specimens for these studies will be obtained from one of three pathways: (1) submission of specimens from participants in a perspective longitudinal, household-based cohort study, (2) collection of specimens obtained from participants consented as part of a clinician-identified outbreak investigation, or (3) de- identified residual specimens obtained from the MHealth Infectious Diseases Diagnostic Laboratory (IDDL). We are seeking students interested in developing new laboratory and computational tools to more rapidly and effectively use these data to inform the public health response.

To learn more, contact Dr. Beth Thielen. More information about the lab can be found here.