Programs for Scientific Literacy Award: Merck-Merial Veterinary Scholars Program

The Merck-Merial Veterinary Scholars Program, funded by Merck, The Merck Company Foundation, and Merial, provides veterinary students at U.S. and Canadian veterinary schools with first-hand experience in biomedical research.

In emphasizing the importance of the program, Dr. Gerry Hickey, Senior Director, Pharmacology, Merck Research Laboratories, and chair of the Scholars Program Committee, said, "The pharmaceutical industry has been chronically undersupplied with veterinarians who have suitable clinical or research training in biomedical research. Their roles are critical to the functioning of the departments of safety assessment and laboratory animal medicine."

"In addition, veterinarians with training in comparative medicine, health and disease are especially well-suited for pharmaceutical research where we routinely work with and interpret data from multiple species, systems and disorders. Through the Scholars Program, not only do we teach future veterinarians and promote innovative thinking, we also hope to provide students with insights that encourage careers in biomedical research."

Established as a national program in 1998, the Scholars Program seeks to expose students in their first and second years of veterinary medical school to biomedical research in a supportive, educational environment in established research laboratories. Since 1998, the Scholars Program has sponsored 1,400 students, and The Merck Company Foundation has provided more than $2.8 million in support.

For more information on the Merck-Merial Veterinary Scholars Program, visit cvm.msu.edu/ORG/rgs/nationalwebsite.htm.

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Programs For Scientific Literacy