Veterinarians are uniquely qualified to conduct biomedical research in the field of comparative medicine using animal models, which have been instrumental in understanding the pathogenesis and mechanism of human diseases. Unfortunately, the majority of veterinarians do not pursue research careers, in part due to the lack of research-training opportunities. Consequently, there is a critical shortage of veterinarians with research backgrounds in academic institutions, government, and corporate settings across the nation.

The National Institutes of Health has funded a post-DVM “Animal Model Research for Veterinarians (AMRV)” training program at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine (VA-MD Vet Med). This program will train veterinarians in the skills of a researcher and will help them launch a successful research career in the areas of animal models of immunology and inflammation, infectious diseases, and neurobiology. Mentors participating in this training program are conducting cutting-edge research in the areas of animal models for human diseases, and their research projects are well funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Trainees will be required to enter a Ph.D. graduate program that will expose them to state-of-the-art research skills and challenge them to become independent problem-solvers. At the end of the training program, trainees are expected to launch an independent biomedical research career and assume leadership roles related to the nation’s biomedical research agenda in academia, government, and industry.

Faculty Focus Areas:
Immunology and Inflammation
Infectious Disease
Neurobiology
Various other thematic research

Program Administration:
X.J. Meng, MD, PhD
Program Director
University Distinguished Professor
Department of Biomedical Sciences & Pathobiology
xjmeng@vt.edu

Ansar Ahmed, DVM, PhD
Program Co-Director
Associate Dean for Research &
Graduate Studies
Professor of Immunology
ansrahmd@vt.edu

Ph.D. Program Overview:

• Multiple research tracks available Annual Research Symposium
• Required grant writing and ethics course
• Weekly seminar series
• Coursework in current research technologies
• Professional development opportunities
• Active student program association
• Recent graduates have found positions in academia,industry and government