Wisconsin infuses mentoring into veterinary school

Madison, Wis.-Veterinary students at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, now can enroll in a 12-month research mentorship program.

The recently launched program is one of seven such initiatives sponsored by the National Institutes of Health.

Open to veterinary students enrolled in veterinary degree programs, the program is designed to introduce participants to the requirements of a research career.

"This is a chance for veterinary students to gain a better understanding of the career options available to them," says Dr. Dale Bjorling, chair of the department of surgical sciences and coordinator of the mentoring program. "Part of our goal is also to increase the number of veterinarians who pursue research."

Students accepted into the program can access faculty members in the School of Veterinary Medicine and in collaborative departments and programs campuswide. The program will cover topics such as fundamentals of scientific writing and grant preparation, conducting and writing research and experimental design and statistical analysis. Participants will choose a mentor from participating faculty and will work on a research project.

Students must commit to the program for one year, during which they will receive a stipend.