CVM’s 2023 Summer Scholars kick off a summer of discovery
June 14, 2023
Former Summer Scholar Jen Luckach presenting her research at the 2018 Symposium
The University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine Summer Scholars Program offers first- and second-year veterinary students the opportunity to participate in research projects related to veterinary, animal, and human health initiatives. Through this experiential learning, students gain an appreciation of biomedical and veterinary research careers and see firsthand how research contributes to advances in health care and veterinary practice.
The program has a track record of producing excellent research–and impacting students’ lives. Em Adam, who was a Summer Scholar in both 2020 and 2021 in CVM’s Equine Genetic and Genomics Lab under Drs. Sian Durward-Akhurst and Molly McCue, says, “The opportunity allowed me to see the experimental design of research from early development to presenting and reviewing results. I was able to witness and perform important research in the veterinary field, while also discovering how I see a future for myself in the research field.” Adam, who is entering a residency in clinical pathology at Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, says they’ll continue to use the skills they gained as a Summer Scholar to contribute to research in their residency and beyond.
The program was started by Merck Merial (now Boehringer Ingelheim) as a way to expand the pipeline of veterinary scientists trained in research by engaging students and exposing them to careers outside of clinical practice. The U of M was among the founding participants of the now 34-year-old program, which has grown to include every US veterinary college along with seven international schools.
Boehringer Ingelheim funds a number of positions every summer, matched and supplemented by other funding sources including the National Institutes of Health, the Morris Animal Foundation, and the college itself, along with individual research labs.
Students compete for placement with projects that have been submitted by CVM research faculty. Those who are selected spend 10–12 weeks conducting research, in addition to attending field trips, seminars, and trainings that are designed to develop scientific, critical thinking, and communication skills and explore research-related career paths. The students also attend the annual Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Scholars Symposium, this year in San Juan, Puerto Rico from August 3–6.
CVM is excited to recognize our 16 incoming Summer Scholars: Zynia Alvarez, Ashton Amann, Laurine Bini, Kendall Blanchard, Kortney Dziedzic, Alaina Falck, Jessica Garcia, Ryan Johnson, Alexander Kennedy, Courtney Labe, Sejla Pujagic, Haley Rubia, Whitney Smith, Irina Vasdev, Katherine Vedros, and Caroline Wilson. Congratulations to these researchers-in-training!
