Summer Veterinary Scholars Program

Take the opportunity to complete your very own mentored research project and learn more about what veterinarians do in research through the Summer Veterinary Scholars Program, integrated across Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine (TUCSVM) and the Division of Comparative Medicine at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (DCM-MIT).

Official summer programming will begin at the end of May (Tuesday after Memorial Day Weekend) and cumulate in presenting your research at the Veterinary Scholars Symposium (held at the end of the first week of August). Research Fellows will receive a stipend consistent with NIH NRSA stipends. While no research experience is required, applicants must have completed one year of veterinary school by the start of the program.

Interested candidates should send a cover letter including details on prior research experience (if any), CV, unofficial veterinary school transcripts and two letters of recommendation via the program's application site.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY. 2025 Applications are currently closed.

The program is currently not accepting international students based in non-US veterinary schools at this time, however, students with F1 visa status are eligible to apply.

Program Activities

Research Scholars will participate in mentored biomedical research projects in the laboratories of established investigators at either institution, receive broad exposure to research involving infectious disease, microbiome, comparative oncology, cardiovascular disease, toxicology, drug and device development, among others. This new collaborative will leverage the diverse scientific landscape within Massachusetts and provide unique opportunities for students to experience research within the context of academic centers, industry/biotechnology entities and contract research organizations. Importantly, veterinary students will explore alternative career choices in the context of a structured, engaging and supportive program led by veterinary scientists committed to generating trainee enthusiasm and interest in future research pursuits. Our program will expand student understanding of career opportunities for veterinarians in research through career chats featuring veterinarians actively engaged in biomedical research and field trips throughout the Boston metro area.

Veterinary Scholars will be matched with a research mentor based on their research interests and available projects; mentors may be from TUCSVM, DCM-MIT or other faculty associated with each respective university.

Support

This program is supported by NIH T35 OD033655 and the Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Scholars program.

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A farewell gathering for one of DCM’s Necropsy Technicians.
A farewell gathering for one of DCM’s Necropsy Technicians.

Another amazing homemade cake!!

A farewell gathering for one of DCM’s Necropsy Technicians.
A farewell gathering for one of DCM’s Necropsy Technicians.

DCM’s Assistant Director of Comparative Pathology thanks her for her many contributions and efforts.

A farewell gathering for one of DCM’s Necropsy Technicians.
A farewell gathering for one of DCM’s Necropsy Technicians.

DCM’s Assistant Director of Comparative Pathology thanks her for her many contributions and efforts.

Going away party for DCM’s Necropsy Technician
Going away party for one of DCM’s Necropsy Technicians

Of course she had to get a DCM T-shirt!

A farewell gathering for one of DCM’s Necropsy Technicians.
A farewell gathering for one of DCM’s Necropsy Technicians.

Left: Assistant Director for Large Animal Medicine, Right: Assistant Director of Comparative Pathology

Going away party…
Going away party…

A farewell gathering for one of DCM’s Necropsy Technicians.

Going away party…
Going away party…

The cake was good!!

Going away party…
Going away party…

A farewell gathering for one of DCM’s Necropsy Technicians.

Congrats & Farewell to the 2025 Summer Scholars!
Congrats & Farewell to the 2025 Summer Scholars!
Surgical Technician’s Farwell Party
Surgical Technician’s Farwell Party

Everyone gets a DCM t-shirt!

Surgical Technician’s Farwell Party
Surgical Technician’s Farwell Party

A big thank you from our Associate Director

Surgical Technician’s Farwell Party
Surgical Technician’s Farwell Party

A special send off gift!

Surgical Technician’s Farwell Party
Surgical Technician’s Farwell Party

A very delicious homemade carrot cake!

Postdoctoral Associate at the bench
Postdoctoral Associate at the bench

Very excited with her results!

DACLAM  Celebration Party!!
DACLAM Celebration Party!!

Congratulations to DCM’s newest DACLAM veterinarians!

DACLAM  Celebration Party!!
DACLAM Celebration Party!!

Congratulations to DCM’s newest DACLAM veterinarians!

DACLAM  Celebration Party!!
DACLAM Celebration Party!!

Congratulations to DCM’s newest DACLAM veterinarians!

DACLAM  Celebration Party!!
DACLAM Celebration Party!!

Congratulations to DCM’s newest DACLAM veterinarians!

2 Week Externship
2 Week Externship
Summer Students 2024
Summer Students 2024

Summer Students 2024 at a Dinner Social

Summer Students 2024
Summer Students 2024

Summer Students at the 2024 Summer Picnic

Pre-veterinary extern
Pre-veterinary extern

Pre-veterinary extern, completed his 2 week externship today!
Research Associate II at Integral Molecular, University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, Haverford College

2 week externship
2 Week Externship

Student, from The University of Edinburgh, completed her 2 week externship with us. 

Extern
Extern

Summer Extern finished her 2 weeks today!

Vet tech interns
Vet tech interns

Vet tech interns living it up in large animal surgery.

Vet tech intern, receiving her official DCM t-shirt
Vet tech intern, receiving her official DCM t-shirt
Summer Students 2022
Summer Students 2022
2017 Visiting Summer Students
2017 Visiting Summer Students
2021 Summer Picnic
2021 Summer Picnic
2021 Summer Picnic
2021 Summer Picnic
2017 Visiting Summer Students
2017 Visiting Summer Students
Summer Students, 2022
Summer Students, 2022

2022 Summer Students at Dr. Pate's BBQ