Two options:
- A 10-12 week summer program is available for first or second year veterinary students as funds allow. This program will provide students with exposure to practical and clinical laboratory animal medicine and biomedical research. Students will be assigned a summer research project in an aspect of laboratory animal/comparative medicine. Stipends will be supported at student hourly rates or students may apply through the Merial summer program. Applications for 2012 will be due on February 13, 2012. Instructions can be found at the CSU ASLAP Laboratory Animal/Comparative Medicine Fellowship webpage.
- A 2-4 week externship opportunity for clinical year veterinary students with an interest in laboratory animal medicine (LAM). Candidates with an interest in a career in LAM will be given preference for these positions. Funds may be available to support externs through the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine Career Pathways Committee (ACLAM CPC).
CSU Laboratory Animal Resources (LAR) provides care for a diverse set of species and research programs located on three different Fort Collins, Colorado. Facilities range from BSL 1-3 and serve investigators with programs in infectious disease, oncology, reproductive biology, exercise physiology, agricultural sciences and other disciplines. Veterinary student training programs are headed by the Director of CSU's ACLAM-approved Comparative Medicine Training Program. Comparative Medicine Residents and CSU LAR veterinary staff will provide guidance and mentorship to participants. There are currently 3 residents and 4 veterinarians (3 ACLAM diplomats) on staff.
The extern(s) will participate in the daily activities of the department, including assisting the veterinary technicians, facility managers and supervisor, staff veterinarians and post-DVM residents in the various daily activities. Typical tasks include:
- Training in practical techniques
- Disease surveillance
- Pathology of laboratory animals
- Clinical case workup
- Husbandry and enrichment practices
- Facility design
- Protocol and Standard Operation Procedure design
- Regulatory oversight
- Management and staff meeting attendance as appropriate
- Tours of non-LAR and non-CSU facilities
During the program, externs will complete a project relevant to comparative/lab animal medicine that will be presented to the veterinary staff at the end of the externship. The student must provide proof of a negative tuberculin skin test within 6 months of the start of the externship.
For further information, contact:
Lon V. Kendall, DVM, PhD, ACLAM
Interim Director
Laboratory Animal Resources
lon.kendall@colostate.edu