Students Training in Advanced Research (STAR) Program

STAR Program Funding Opportunities

The STAR Program competitively awards funds in the form of a $6000 research fellowship. The entire award will be allocated directly to the recipients as a living stipend only no later than 1 July to successful veterinary student applicants.

STAR Program Funds support a broad array of veterinary and biomedical research areas. Because the funding sources are often directed towards specific research interests or qualifications, they are awarded with some specific expectations:

• School of Veterinary Medicine Research Fellowships are funded through endowment earnings. Fellows must participate in a research poster presentation in September.

• The Roy Grant Fellowship supports research involving the human-animal bond that is conducted in the Center for Animals in Society. Fellows must participate in a research poster presentation in September.

• Dr. Viki Krade Memorial Feline Research Fellowship supports research involving ongoing feline research by both the student and faculty sponsor. Fellows must participate in a research poster presentation in September.

• Center for Comparative Medicine (CCM) Summer Biomedical Research Fellowships foster research in animal models of human infectious disease, as well as mouse biology. In addition, the summer training program at the Center for Comparative Medicine offers opportunities in a broad array of other laboratories engaged in biomedical research. Fellows are required to make an oral presentation about their research in the latter part of summer.  Fellows are also invited to participate in the poster presentation in September.

• Merck-Merial Veterinary Scholars Research Program provides a supportive environment to explore and experience research in an established laboratory along with seminars and discussion groups on careers in science, in the hope that the students will gain an informed insight into a career in research, and stimulate some of the fellows to pursue a career in research, subsequent to completing their veterinary degrees. Fellows are expected to attend a summer symposium hosted by Merck-Merial at a U.S. veterinary college and must participate in a research poster presentation in September. (NOTE: Each Merck-Merial fellow is expected to stay in touch with the Office of Research and Graduate Education [svmstarprogram@ucdavis.edu or 530-754-7746] in the School of Veterinary Medicine once he/she graduates in order to maintain continuity in terms of their current position, location and future career goals.)

• The UC DAVIS Mouse Biology Program (MBP) Summer Research Fellowship fosters research into the development, application, and manipulation of the genetically-altered mouse in biomedical and bioveterinary research. Any area of basic, applied, or clinical research utilizing genetically-altered mice (transgenic, knockouts, etc) will be considered for funding. Novel avenues of research, improved methods of embryo manipulation, and development of new technologies, are encouraged. The Fellow selected will be required to make an oral presentation about their research in the latter part of summer. Fellows are also invited to participate in the poster presentation in September.