Dual-Degree Medical Scientist Training Program for Veterinarians

Colorado State University, Fort Collins CO

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

This Medical Scientist Training Program renewal application from Colorado State University requests funds for continued support of a DVM-PhD dual-degree program with a 20-year history of translational clinician-scientist training. The program recruits three students per year from a pool of ~40 applicants and has a 97% retention rate across 49 total matriculants. Thirty trainees have graduated; 63% are employed in a variety of academic, agency, and nonprofit research positions. Seven students have received NIH F30/F31 fellowships since the first year DVM-PhD students were eligible applicants in 2015. Trainee research projects span broad disciplines across the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, which has provided nearly $4.2M in direct support of this DVM-PhD program since 2004. Forty-six participating mentor faculty represent a variety of career stages and expertise and hold 187 active research awards totaling over $34.6M. These mentors have trained, or are training, 209 predoctoral and 171 postdoctoral trainees, 33% of which are DVM-PhD or post-DVM/PhD trainees. Twelve MSTP students were supported by this T32 during our first 4 years of NIGMS funding. These 12 trainees have collectively published 22 total manuscripts, secured two NIH F30/F31 fellowship awards, and two completed their PhD degrees while participating in a rigorous program of biomedical research training (3-4 years) integrated with DVM didactic and clinical training (4 years). Current NIGMS funding also facilitated expansion of dual-degree program specific clinician-scientist training and career development activities which have reinforced the technical, operational, and professional skills trainees acquire from laboratory research and DVM clinical training. These activities have included ‘Translational Medicine’, a dual-degree specific rotating topics course focused on scientific communication, careers in biomedicine, grant and manuscript writing, and animal models of human disease. Trainees also completed annual workshops in experimental rigor and data reproducibility, while preceptors participated in mentor training through the CSU Graduate School. This renewal application focuses on more robust program evaluation and outcomes assessments, expanded national recruitment efforts, and enhanced engagement of our External Advisory Committee for guidance in directing this next phase of programmatic success and growth. Over the five-year award period, we request funds to support 28 training slots to be distributed in years one and two of DVM training. This funding will leverage institutional support to continue program expansion by enrolling 5 additional trainees over the award period, maximizing the impact of this MSTP T32 in fulfilling the national need for translational biomedical scientists.