The Summer Research Comparative Medicine Fellowship program at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center is specifically designed for first- and second-year veterinary students to gain research experience and exposure to translational science relevant to human health. These positions provide a unique opportunity for structured training in a research-intensive environment, with a focus on comparative disease pathophysiology in nonhuman primates and other species. Veterinary students who are considering careers in research, academia, laboratory animal medicine, zoology, exotics, primatology and pathology are encouraged to apply. Positions include stipend, provision of housing for the summer, and travel to the annual veterinary scholars meeting.

The program seeks to:

  • Teach the basic elements of hypothesis-driven research, including the scientific method, basics of study design, an overview of the grant-writing process, proper data management and basic statistical methods
  • Provide training in ethics and professionalism in research, including proper conduct of research, ethical treatment of animals, intellectual property and human subjects protection
  • Provide experience in oral and written presentation of scientific findings, including demystification of the publication process