The Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center Summer Research Comparative Medicine Fellowship program strives to equip first- and second-year veterinary students with worthwhile research experience and knowledge in translational science relating to human health. These positions offer an exclusive opportunity for structured training in an environment that is research-intensive, with a particular focus on comparative disease pathophysiology in nonhuman primates as well as other species. The program welcomes applicants interested in pursuing careers in research, academia, laboratory animal medicine, zoology, exotics, primatology and pathology. Participants receive a stipend, housing for the summer and travel to the yearly veterinary scholars meeting.

The program aims to:

  • Educate program participants on the fundamentals of hypothesis-driven research such as scientific methodology, study design basics, the overview of the grant writing process, proper data management and basic statistical methods.
  • Offer instruction on ethics and professionalism in research, including the appropriate conduct of research, ethical treatment of animals, intellectual property and human subjects’ protection.
  • Provide the necessary experience for oral and written presentation of scientific findings, including clarification of the publication process.