Since 2002, the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) has held the Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Scholars Program for students to conduct career-affirming research. After the 10 weeks of the program, students presented their work at the CVM’s Points of Pride Research Day on October 2.

This summer, Yelei Zheng, a second-year DVM student, performed research funded in part by the Stanley and Nancy Skadron Scholarship. The scholarship supports comparative cancer biology research and DVM student training in the Summer Scholars program. Zheng is using the funding to work with Kaylee Schwertfeger, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology in the U of M’s Medical School, on a project entitled “Role of FGFR-induced osteopontine as a T cell suppressor in breast cancer.”

“I used this summer to sharpen my biomedical experimental techniques, oral presentation capability, and time management skills,” Zheng says. “I learned a lot this summer working with a group of experienced, talented, and resilient researchers. Doing oncology research is never easy, but it is always going to be worth it.”

The late Stanley Skadron, ’57 DVM, was an active member of the CVM community. Skadron spent many years involved with the CVM’s alumni association and the larger veterinary community through the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association. He owned and ran Skadron Animal Hospital in West St. Paul for 50 years. When he passed away, his wife, Nancy, and children created a fund to honor him.

The “Summer Scholars” who have participated in the program have produced several projects that have resulted in journal publications. The process allows participating students to better understand the role research plays in advancing veterinary medicine. This year, 24 DVM students participated in the program.