Students Training in Advanced Research (STAR) Program

Students Training in Advanced Research (STAR) Program

The STAR (Students Training in Advanced Research) Program is an administrative program of the School of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis to coordinate and offer funding opportunities on a competitive basis to veterinary students to experience veterinary and biomedical research during the summer months. Research experiences are available at UC Davis and in San Diego through the UC Veterinary Medical Center partnership.

2024 STAR Program Calendar - DRAFT

2024 Orientation Schedule

The objective of the STAR Program is to identify, nurture, and support veterinary students who will be guided through their work with faculty mentors to all aspects of veterinary and biomedical research, including:

  • Scientific dialogue and communication
  • Library and literature search and research
  • Laboratory conduct and professionalism
  • Research ethics and bioethics
  • Mentorship
  • Grantsmanship
  • Self-education and motivation
  • Critical review and assessment

STAR Program funding comes from both intramural and extramural sources, with specific expectations and conditions of award.

By providing a supportive environment to explore and experience research in a laboratory or clinical setting along with seminars and discussion groups on careers in science, students will gain informed insight into a potential career in research, giving them something to consider after completing their veterinary degrees.

First and second year veterinary students from any AVMA accredited veterinary school are encouraged to apply for funding to participate in research this coming summer.

The STAR Program serves as an umbrella organization to coordinate research funding from a variety of sources and emphasizes five points of excellence:

PLAN
To identify specific objectives, design and conduct methodical experiments, and develop technical expertise.

HYPOTHESIS
To formulate a scientifically sound and testable hypothesis 

KNOWLEDGE
To study and understand one's field of science 

COMPOSITION
To access and describe results, derive conclusions, propose next steps, and create new projects. 

PRESENTATION
To articulate and convey research findings lucidly and convincingly to others.