Externships / Preceptorships
The University of Missouri Comparative Medicine Program (CMP) offers externships ranging from two to twelve weeks. Activities vary with the goals of the extern, and combine clinical laboratory medicine activities and research. Externs are under the direct supervision of post-DVM trainees, clinical veterinarians, research scientists and comparative pathologists throughout the externship. Activities include the following (click on each for more details) and additional information can be found on the ASLAP web page.
Providing clinical veterinary care to research animals
Participating in Animal Care and Quality Assurance (ACQA) Activities
Gaining experience at The National Mutant Mouse and Rat Resource Centers
Engaging in comparative and research pathology
Conducting comparative medicine research
- Externs at the CMP for at least 3 weeks are will be assigned a research project, depending on project availability. The extern conducts a literature review, implements the project, analyzes data generated and gives a 20–25-minute seminar at the completion of the externship.
- Externs can also rotate with post-DVM trainees of the CMP who are actively engaged in research projects. During these rotations, externs discuss projects and participate in laboratory procedures.
Unique Opportunities at the CMP
Your visit is what you make of it, and the CMP encourages externs to pursue their interests and expand their knowledge during their stay. All senior post-DVM trainees and some CMP faculty offer specialized problem-based learning discussions, hands-on laboratory workshops, and behind the scenes tours that can be arranged based on extern interest. Some examples include a rabbit handling lab, guinea pig case discussion, rodent behavior testing discussion & tour, a tour of the Laboratory for Infectious Disease Research, zebrafish husbandry & facility tour, and an assisted rodent reproductive surgery lab.
Application Procedure
To Apply for Externships:
Applications for externships are accepted year-round, except if applying for ASLP Summer Fellowships or MU VRSP.
Please contact Dr. Craig Franklin or submit a CV (with current veterinary school GPA), letter of interest, and one letter of reference from a CVM faculty member at your institution to:
Craig Franklin, DVM, PhD, dACLAM Professor
Department of Veterinary Pathobiology
University of Missouri 4011 Discovery Drive, Rm N128
Columbia, MO 65201
Voice (573) 882-6623
FAX [573] 882-9857
E-mail FranklinC@missouri.edu
There are several other exciting laboratory animal medicine and research opportunities for veterinary students at the University of Missouri. These include:
The American Society of Laboratory Animal Practitioners (ASLAP) Foundation Summer Fellowship in Laboratory Animal Medicine
See the ASLAP web page for application deadline and requirements.
The University of Missouri Veterinary Research Scholars Program (MU VRSP)
The MU VRSP is a 10-12 summer research program that exposes veterinary students to research career opportunities through a mentored research experience. Scholars perform state-of-the-art projects in a variety of disciplines, participate in a weekly topics course that gives a broad exposure to biomedical sciences, attend field trips to local and regional research institutions and social activities designed to promote community and travel to and present at the National NIH-Boehringer-Ingelheim Symposium.
See http://www.cvm.missouri.edu/vrs/index.htm for more information, including application deadlines and requirements.
It is highly advantageous to have your own vehicle for transportation during your externship at MU. Public transportation in Columbia can be difficult due to limited and inflexible transportation routes and schedules (many routes are not running during the summer months). If you do not have your own transportation, please try to make other arrangements or schedule your visit when another extern will be here so that you can coordinate rides. You may also rent a vehicle from Enterprise or National. More information can be found here Columbia, MO Transportation & MU Campus Map.