Comparative Medicine–

Ph.D. Training Program

This program helps address the shortage of veterinarians who are trained for independent research. It is funded by a T32 training grant from the NIH. It supports veterinarians during their PhD training.

Logistics

Who can apply: 4th year veterinary students and veterinarians.
Starting stipend: at least $44,310/year, depending on years since graduating
Tuition: Paid

Graduate Program

Trainees can participate in any graduate program involved in biomedical research at Stanford University: Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Informatics, Biophysics, Cancer Biology, Chemical and Systems Biology, Developmental Biology, Genetics, Immunology, Microbiology and Immunology, Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Neurosciences, Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Structural Biology, and Bioengineering.  For details, visit http://biosciences.stanford.edu:

All share common features:

  1. Year 1 focuses on a limited group of courses and laboratory rotations.
  2. Subsequent years focus on developing critical thinking via seminars and journal clubs and on independent research.
  3. Annual retreats to present and learn about ongoing research in the graduate program.
  4. Emphasis on mastering communications skills essential for success in science: oral presentation, writing manuscripts and grant proposals.
  5. Developing an appreciation of the role of scientists in the context of society with emphasis on ethical and professional responsibility.

Program in Comparative Medicine

The Department of Comparative Medicine serves as the “glue” that helps trainees maintain their professional identity as they immerse themselves in basic science research. This takes place in several ways:

  1. A seminar series and departmental research day in Comparative Medicine exposes trainees to veterinary researcher role models.
  2. Trainees present at Comparative Medicine research meetings.
  3. The Department’s Residency Program in Laboratory Animal Medicine includes clinical conferences and special topic seminars, which trainees can attend.
  4. Mentoring summer veterinary student researchers who are supported by another training grant (http://med.stanford.edu/compmed/education/summer.html).

Program Faculty

The program includes faculty members of the Department of Comparative Medicine and other departments within the School of Medicine. The Program’s faculty work together to provide trainees with guidance in basic research and comparative medicine. In addition to their research mentor, trainees can have a mentor for comparative medicine. The research mentor provides research resources, expertise, networking and career opportunities within the trainee's chosen scientific field. The mentor for comparative medicine is a veterinarian who is directly involved in biomedical research. The veterinary mentor can meet with the trainee regularly to sustain and develop the trainee’s link to comparative medicine and provide networking and career opportunities within comparative medicine. Potential research mentors are not limited to the list below.

Comparative Medicine Mentors

* Board certified in a specialty of veterinary medicine

Research Mentors

Department of Anesthesia

Department of Biology

Department of Chemical & Systems Biology

Department of Comparative Medicine

Department of Dermatology

Department of Genetics

Department of Microbiology and Immunology

Department of Neurobiology

Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences

Department of Orthopedic Surgery

Department of Pathology

Department of Pediatrics

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Department of Radiation Oncology

Applying

One veterinarian will be admitted each year. Veterinarians and fourth-year students of a U.S. accredited School of Veterinary Medicine may apply. Because this is funded by the National Institutes of Health, trainees must be U.S. citizens, noncitizen nationals, or have been lawfully admitted to the U.S. for permanent residence. Please contact the Program Director (listed below) for more information about this Program and other research training opportunities for veterinarians and to receive application instructions. Applications will be admitted through the Stanford University Biomedicine's Program, which has a December 2, 2014 deadline for a Fall 2015 start date.

Send Questions and Receive Additional Application Instructions

Paul Buckmaster, DVM, PhD, Program Director
Stanford University School of Medicine
Department of Comparative Medicine
300 Pasteur Drive, R321 Edwards Building
Stanford, California 94305-5342

(650) 498-4774
(650) 498-5085 (fax)

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