The Division of Comparative Medicine (DCM) is a free-standing academic unit that manages the animal resource program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which has been AAALAC-accredited since 1974. DCM oversees a daily census of approximately 100,000 animals, comprising over 15 species. The Division operates transgenic, gnotobiotic and experimental surgery cores along with diagnostic, histology and research laboratories to support the animal research efforts.
DCM’s externship program provides the opportunity to shadow veterinarians and researchers across an extensive array of backgrounds and specialties. Our staff of ~180 includes ten ACLAM boarded veterinarians, a boarded veterinary pathologist, two PhD research scientists, a team of veterinary postdoctoral fellows, a veterinary behaviorist, and numerous technical and support staff. Externs will have the opportunity to meet veterinary professionals with a wide array of backgrounds and specialties.
Extern Activities
The extern will accompany Institute veterinarians on clinical rounds in facilities housing both rodents and large animals. Under their supervision, the extern will participate in diagnostic evaluations, post-operative care, quarantine procedures, colony health management, rodent surveillance, and necropsies for both rodent and non-rodent species.
Externs attend weekly seminars focusing on lab animal medicine, weekly research seminars, biweekly slide rounds, and biweekly journal club meetings. Opportunities for hands-on experience in the diagnostic lab and transgenic center are available. Externs may also attend seminars throughout the Boston research community, which includes MGH, Harvard, the Broad Institute, the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research), and more. At the end of their term, externs make a 15-20 minute presentation about a research or clinical topic of interest.
Externship Applications
Externships can be scheduled throughout the academic year in blocks of 2-4 weeks on a first-come, first-served basis. All externs are required to complete appropriate safety and IACUC training. Proof of a negative TB test within the last year and positive measles titer are required. While the majority of DCM externs are veterinary students, undergraduates and veterinary graduates may also apply. DCM additionally offers externships focused primarily on comparative pathology.
If you would like to apply, please send the below materials to dvmtraining@mit.edu. In order to be considered, applications must be received at least two months in advance of your proposed start date.
- Letter of interest
- CV
- Unofficial transcript
- Two letters of support