Performing Department
LG ANML CLIN SCI
Non Technical Summary
This proposal aims to fill the critical shortage of veterinary scientists in dairy research through innovative and multidisciplinary graduate education that provides training in research, teaching, and extension and includes national and international experiential learning opportunities in academia, government, or industry. The focus of this proposed multidisciplinary training program is to address the Targeted Expertise Shortage Area of Agricultural Biosecurity. The pathogenesis and transmission of infectious agents at the farm level can threathen the economic sustainability of the dairy industry and be a significant point of origin for public health issues. As such, infectious diseases of animals can greatly impact the security of food systems and have a detrimental effect on the agricultural economy. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of scientists who fully understand the vulnerabilities of the food supply beginning at the farm level. Veterinarians have unique skillsets in comparative medicine that could facilitate the study of animal populations, infectious diseases, and the impact of animal health on the food supply. Therefore, the goal of this proposed program is to complement expertise in veterinary medicine with rigorous training in the areas of disease prevention and integrative biology to better address dairy cattle biosecurity. The proposed program will provide veterinarians with new competencies in infectious disease research through an integrated program of courses, research, and experiential learning in immunology, molecular biology, epidemiology, and food production systems, as well as leadership training. Fellows will graduate with the knowledge and leadership skills needed to enter the workforce and assume leadership roles related to animal agricultural biosecurity in academia, government, or corporate settings.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
50%
Applied
50%
Developmental
0%
Goals / Objectives
The focus of this integrated research and experiential learning doctoral training program is to address the Targeted Expertise Shortage Area (TESA) of Agricultural Biosecurity within the Veterinary Medicine discipline. Our goal is to train 3 clinical scientists (DVMs seeking PhDs) capable of immediately applying their research acumen to improve dairy health while enhancing food security in roles in academia, industry, or government.
Project Methods
Incoming NNF will be undergo an onboarding process and join the Abuelo immunobiology laboratory (www.abuelolab.com) at the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Fellows will undertake coursework and professional development activities that together provide competencies in: (1) Laboratory techniques, experimental design, data analysis, and critical thinking, (2) Grant writing that prepares them to compete for funding, (3) Communication as scientists and as educators, (4) Cooperative teamwork in integrated and multidisciplinary research groups, (5) Ethical conduct of animal research, plagiarism, and responsible research practices. Also, Fellows will complete a 12 week international internship working with an international collaborator in academia or industry during a summer. During the first year, NNF will select a guidance committee consisting of 2 members of the Comparative Medicine and Integrative Biology Graduate Program faculty and a faculty from another graduate program after consulting with the major professor. The guidance committee will be responsible for approval of the academic program, the orally presented research proposal, the oral comprehensive examinations and review of the fellow's progress. In addition to the Guidance Committee, fellows will be paired with mentors from industry. Each year, during the spring term, fellows and training faculty will meet to discuss the training program, research progress, and future directions. Also, progress of fellows will be monitored by an advisory board comprises of MSU faculty and external stakeholders.