T32 Comparative Medical Scientist Training Program (CMSTP)
Mission of the CMSTP
The mission of CMSTP is to prepare post-DVM PhD students to become exceptional veterinarian-scientists in comparative medicine at UC Davis. This post-doctoral T32 is highly successful in training veterinarian-scientists for research careers with >90% utilizing their research training.
To ensure the success of our new trainees, we have a comprehensive 4-year program at UC Davis, which supports DVMs in pursuit of their PhD. We will prepare trainees for the next stage of their careers through provision of research colloquia, individualized mentoring, networking opportunities, and grant writing workshops. Thus, CMSTP provides a comprehensive, integrated research-mentoring program for DVMs at UC Davis, particularly those from historically marginalized and disadvantaged backgrounds, to remove barriers that exist and deter some from pursuing a research career. We are committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse body of trainees.
We have 36 highly qualified faculty trainers to choose as a mentor or a co-mentor if the trainee has already chosen a lab. The CMSTP takes advantage of outstanding research and teaching opportunities in the biological sciences at UC Davis by bringing together faculty from the SVM, the nation’s top veterinary school, the School of Medicine, the College of Engineering, and the College of Biological Sciences. Our faculty trainers participate in established Centers and Institutes that promote collaborations and employ diverse evidence-based approaches to solving scientific problems through state-of-the-art equipment in individual labs as well as campus shared facilities.
The objectives of the CMSTP are to: 1) prepare all of our trainees to become future leaders in academia, government service, public health, and biomedical research, 2) provide greater exposure to career paths outside academia, 3) maintain the average time of 4 years to degree, and 4) attract and train a diverse group of veterinarian-scientists.
How to Participate
We seek veterinarians pursuing a PhD in biomedical research to join the Comparative Medical Scientist Training Program (CMSTP). Trainees will receive full multi-year salary support, based upon the NIH scale for graduate veterinarians. Continued funding is based on period review of progress. Applicants shall provide a short description of their research with justification of how it relates to the NIH mission of advancing biomedical research.
A letter of support from the candidate’s mentor is required indicating a commitment to provide sufficient supplemental support to cover the full cost of training (25% of yearly tuition costs that are not covered by NIH, research animal and supply costs, plus the additional support to complete graduate training). A grant writing workshop will facilitate trainees in preparation of K awards and other grant applications toward the end of their training period.
Because this is an NIH-funded training program with the objective of training veterinary scientists with a high potential of contributing to the NIH mission as independent investigators, it is essential that mentors have ongoing NIH or equivalent federal research support and conduct hypothesis-driven research. This requirement may be fulfilled with provision of a co-mentor with such support willing to provide mentorship to the student. In that case in addition to the below, a letter from the co-mentor and a CV including current funding must be provided for consideration.
To apply, please fill out the following survey:
https://ucdavis.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4Jc7197w1JioZdc
Then, send the following materials to the Program Coordinator, Monica Motta:
- Research proposal (maximum of 2 pages including references)
- Mentor support letter (including statement of support for tuition and research costs not covered by the T32, maximum of 2 pages)
- Personal statement of research interest, career goals, and contributions to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive training environment (maximum of 1 page)
- Applicant biosketch, (NIH-fellowship style, maximum of 5 pages)
- Mentor biosketch, including current grant support (NIH-style, maximum of 5 pages)
- If needed, letter of support and biosketch from a co-mentor