Resident Training in Veterinary Anatomic Pathology - Laboratory Animal Pathology Track
Location
William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH) (Year 1 and 2); Comparative Pathology Laboratory and National Biomedical Research Institute (Year 3); University of California, Davis, CA
Program Goals
The VMTH, the Comparative Pathology Lab (CPL), and the National Biomedical Research Institute (NBRI), previously known as the California National Primate and Research Center (CNPRC), have a joint residency program in veterinary anatomic pathology designed to prepare candidates for careers in academia or laboratory animal pathology. This is a service-based position at the VMTH and CPL/NBRI that is the first step of a two-phase training program leading to the acquisition of the skills in diagnostic and translational experimental pathology. After three years of training under the guidance of board-certified diplomates (ACVP and ECVP), candidates are expected to take the ACVP certifying examination. At the conclusion of this phase, residents are encouraged to apply to the Graduate Group in Integrative Pathobiology in pursuit of a PhD, although this is not required. The ideal candidate would have a future plan to be in a service-based position with research collaboration or have a research focus that is specific to the animal-human model.
Program Length
All residency appointments are renewed annually with renewal based on adequate progress. Residents entering the program will complete 2 years of concentrated anatomic pathology training at VMTH followed by 1 year of advanced training split between the CPL and the NBRI.
Program Description: Years 1 and 2
The first two years of the program are based within the VMTH Anatomic Pathology Service at the University of California, Davis. The VMTH provides a diverse caseload consisting of approximately 85% domestic animals and 15% zoo and wildlife species, pet birds, and other exotic pets. All aspects of case evaluation—including gross necropsy, histopathologic evaluation, and pathology reporting—are guided and reviewed by twelve board-certified pathologists (ACVP or ECVP).
Pathologists from the California Animal Health and Food Safety (CAHFS) Laboratories, the Center for Comparative Medicine, the Comparative Pathology Laboratory, and the National Biomedical Research Institute also participate in seminars are available for consultation. Completion of a research project is required. Lab Animal Track residents are encouraged to pursue a lab-animal-focused project.
Year 3 Training
The final year of the program will be spent at the Comparative Pathology Laboratory (6 months) and the National Biomedical Research Institute (6 months). During this time, the trainee will continue participating in VMTH resident training activities (rounds, seminars).
Objectives
• To expose candidates to spontaneous diseases and background lesions in the common laboratory animal species (primarily rodents, zebrafish, Xenopus spp., rabbits, and NHPs) by having the candidate be the primary case coordinator for all clinical (diagnostic) case submissions, including necropsy, biopsy, and cytology services, with supervision and instruction by the on-duty pathologist. Utilization of various diagnostics including microbiology, molecular diagnostics and serology.
• To familiarize the candidate with translational and/or comparative pathology with a focus on animal models of human disease. This includes acclimatization to varied species at each facility and specific SOP’s with special attention to phenotyping (CPL) and safety precautions (NBRI). Although performed by on-site pathologists, opportunities to observe experimental protocols will exist.
• Host sessions of the Lab Animal Pathology Rounds and participate in other site-specific rounds/seminars relevant to comparative or experimental pathology.
• Assist in teaching veterinary medical students and lab animal medicine residents during dedicated rotations.
• Presentations and/or publications depending on case material and projects available.
Background Information
The CPL is a high-throughput diagnostic laboratory responsible for diagnostics, research support, and health monitoring of animals, mostly rodents, zebrafish, Xenopus spp., and rabbits, from the UC Davis campus, other UC campuses, and world-renowned research facilities. There are approximately 2000 necropsy and biopsy submissions per year from health monitoring programs, diagnostic cases, and collaborative or contract-based research projects.
The NBRI Pathology Service provides diagnostic and research support for one of the largest primate research centers in the United States, including a breeding colony of approximately 4,500 rhesus macaques and the only titi monkey colony in the U.S., consisting of about 100 animals. The service is staffed by four board-certified veterinary pathologists and supports both the clinical laboratory animal veterinary staff and multiple research programs across the Center, including the Cardiorespiratory Diseases, Infectious Diseases, Neuroscience and Behavior, and Reproductive Sciences and Regenerative Medicine units. Approximately 1,200 necropsy, biopsy, and cytology submissions are received annually from diagnostic cases and research projects.
Duty responsibilities while at the CPL and NBRI are exclusively accepted by the 1 resident in their third year of the LAB ANIMAL PATHOLOGY TRACK. While at the CPL and NBRI, residents are mentored by the following faculty:
Katie Olstad, DVM, Diplomate ACVP
Sarah Cook, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVP
Rachel Reader, BVSc, PhD, Diplomate ACVP
Gabrielle Pastenkos, DVM, PhD, Diplomat ACVP
Peter Chu, DVM, Diplomat ACVP
Stephen Griffey (emeritus), DVM, PhD
Stephen Barthold (emeritus), DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVP, Honorary Diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM)