In 2023, MCP hosted 9 veterinary summer students: 6 veterinary research scholars, 2 summer fellows in diagnostic pathology, and one Charles River fellow in Lab Animal Medicine.
After their summer in MCP, we asked them about their time with us: here is a sample of what they shared with us.
Veterinary Research
- Phenotyping of HIV-1 ASP in an inducible CD4+ cell specific transgenic mouse model
- Histopathological analysis of nanoparticles distribution and its correlation with cells in tumor microenvironment”
- Exploring the association between extracellular vesicles and peripheral blood neutrophils in non-human primates
- Measles virus infection induces IP-10 release but not inflammasome activation in respiratory epithelial cells
- AAV-hTau seeded mice as a screening model for nSMase2 inhibitors
- Exploring the combination of carboplatin with stimulator of interferon genes (STING) agonist in canine osteosarcoma
Diagnostic Pathology
- Hepatobiliary neoplasms in non-human species
- Tetany in Panamanian golden frogs
Lab Animal Medicine
- Evaluation of the influence of pair housing and relationship strength on sleep quality in rhesus macaques
Most important things you learned
Clinical techniques and getting hands-on experience, emphasis on laboratory animal welfare and improvement of clinical knowledge outside of my research topics, I was encouraged to actively take part in procedures – which boosted my confidence tremendously. – Shaina Furman
The most important things I learned were the diverse career opportunities in pathology and lab animal medicine through the weekly career talks. I also learned how to perform a mouse necropsy and looked at a lot of histopathology. The zoo field trip was also very fun! Most importantly, I cherish the bond I made with the pathology faculty and residents in the MCP department and appreciate their mentorship. – Aria Vi Phan
I learned that there are many opportunities for veterinarians to advance both animal and human health at biomedical research institutions. I worked with many brilliant and kind individuals dedicated to both animal welfare and scientific advancement. – Ann Ramsey
I gained a deep appreciation for the time and effort-intensive nature of research. I learned that research doesn’t always lead to immediate breakthroughs or rewarding experimental results. However, I came to appreciate that even in the face of setbacks, the data generated contributes significantly to the broader body of research. This understanding highlighted the incremental nature of scientific inquiry, emphasizing the importance of patience and persistence in the pursuit of knowledge. – Theresa Wong
Words or phrases that describe your experience
Hands-on training, confident building, rewarding opportunities, enlightening, fun, engaging, eye-opening, rewarding, diverse experience.
Impact of the experience on your life/career plans
Being able to work so closely with the veterinarians at Johns Hopkins solidified my interest in laboratory animal medicine. I am now certain that I will pursue a residency following graduation in the hope of become as proficient in clinical medicine as the current residents and graduates of the program. My research project gave me insight into the field of behavior research in laboratory animal programs, which has encouraged me to consider conducting research as a larger part of my career. – Shaina Furman
This experience solidified my passion for pathology and reassured my decision in pursuing a residency in anatomic pathology. – Aria Vi Phan
This opportunity solidified my budding interest in research, veterinary pathology, and laboratory animal medicine with thorough exposure to all three fields. It provided me with thrilling experiences and inspiring conversations with faculty and students from across the country and world. – Ann Ramsey
Delving into the intricacies of the research process helped me grasp the meticulous steps involved in bringing about meaningful advancements in healthcare. This eye-opening experience has not only broadened my perspective on the importance of research, but has also left me with an open door to explore further opportunities in this field, driven by a desire to contribute to the advancement of healthcare outcomes for individuals and animals. – Theresa Wong