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Oklahoma State University is helping prepare the next generation of veterinarians and researchers amid a growing shortage nationwide.
Demand for animal health services is increasing by 6.1% annually, and in the next seven years, the United States will be short by about 15,000 veterinary specialists, according to Mars Veterinary Health.
OSU College of Veterinary Medicine Dean Dr. Carlos Risco said the veterinary community also is seeing a decline in the number of clinical scholars. The university’s Summer Research Training Program is helping supplement that segment of the workforce.
“Together, we are fostering the next generation of scientific leaders who will drive innovation, solve complex health challenges and make a lasting impact on the world,” Risco said in a news release.
The 2023 SRTP provided an opportunity for OSU veterinary students to attend the Veterinary Scholars Symposium in Puerto Rico. Students received mentored training in biomedical research during a 12-week paid research experience.
SRTP Committee Chair Dr. Josh Butcher said the research conducted at the CVM puts students at the intersection of animal and human health while embracing the One Health concept of recognizing the shared environment between them. Mentors chosen for students in the program have a broad diversity of research, he said.
This year, the program included topics such as exotic animal metabolism, human viral and bacterial infections, disease detection and treatment in food and production animals, and vaccine development.
Third-year veterinary student Paige Johnson’s study focused on the inflammatory response of COVID-19.
“I plan to pursue a dual DVM/Ph.D., a path I never would’ve imagined myself taking before this program,” Johnson said.
Sydney Lubbers, also a third-year veterinary student, conducted research on Herpes Simplex Virus-1, which can cause serious ocular disease or encephalitis. With a goal of finding a career path that allows her to conduct research and apply it to the clinical setting, she said the SRTP opened her eyes to the depth of the veterinary medical field and allowed her to learn more about opportunities she hadn’t previously considered.
In addition to research projects, the program included weekly seminars facilitating interaction with OSU faculty members and industry leaders on topics including veterinary medicine, internships, residencies and dual-degree programs.
OSU CVM Senior Associate Dean for Research Dr. Jerry Malayer said as part of their accreditation by the American Veterinary Medical Association and its Council on Education, they’re expected to maintain a program of research that integrates and strengthens the professional program.
“For 25 years, the SRTP has been one of the centerpieces of this effort,” Malayer said. “The program continues to grow in strength with remarkable quality and productivity shown in the projects.”
According to a release, the CVM provides opportunities for students to grow their skills and have a lasting effect on animal and human health. It fulfills OSU’s accreditation requirements and dedication to the land-grant mission.
A list of program participants and their projects is available on OSU’s website.
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