The aim of the Summer Scholars Pro …
The aim of the Summer Scholars Program is to provide veterinary medical students the opportunity to explore the world of biomedical research, develop and complete a biomedical research project during the summer. The intent is to engage students in a creative, problem-solving research activity and to provide a learning experience that will lead to the discovery of new knowledge in an area of their choosing and identify potential pathways to a career in biomedical research.
Research plans will be developed by students with faculty mentor input, on any topic of interest to the student and likely to lead to the discovery of new information. Example topics are: immunology and infectious diseases, cancer biology, molecular epidemiology, experimental studies focused on nutrition and obesity, pharmacology, environmental toxicology, mechanisms of pathogenesis, zoonoses, biomechanics, cardiovascular pathophysiology, and others. The mentor and other advisors will provide guidance to students and an assessment of progress.
Students will provide at completion of the study, an oral presentation of their results to their colleagues and all mentors and a presentation of results via posters at the annual Merial NIH National Veterinary Scholars Symposium, to be held in 2010 at the University of Georgia, and at the LSU Phi Zeta Research Emphasis Day. It is noteworthy that one Summer Scholar won an award at the 2008 LSU Phi Zeta Research Emphasis Day. LSU Students will receive elective credit in the curriculum (VMED 5010 or VMED 5463) for successful completion of the program. Students will be strongly encouraged to work with their mentors to publish their findings in peer-reviewed journals separately or as a smaller piece of work with their mentors.