The 2025 Veterinary Summer Scholars research program concluded earlier this month with the Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Scholars Symposium, held Aug. 7–9 in Spokane, Wash. The program gives first- and second-year veterinary students the chance to step into research through projects that span biomedical, agricultural, and ecosystem health.

Through 12 weeks of hands-on experience, students gain a deeper understanding of how research drives advances in medicine, animal health, and One Health, exploring potential new career paths in the process.

“This summer’s scholars impressed us with their curiosity, their creativity, and their commitment,” says Bruce Walcheck, the CVM professor and director of research training programs. “Programs like this are a crucial way to nurture the next generation of veterinary researchers.”

Tackling complex challenges in animal health

Supported by a gift from Zoetis, second-year student Timothy Magdall explored transmission patterns of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, a major disease concern for swine producers. Working with Maria Pieters, he used spatial analysis to evaluate the location and disease status of feral pigs in order to better understand the transmission risk for commercial pig populations.

“This is a bacterium that farms are working hard to eliminate,” Magdall notes, “but their work could be for nothing if this bacterium gets reintroduced through environmental contamination from feral pigs. Understanding the risk can help improve farms’ biosecurity.”

The project not only provided valuable data for swine health but also gave Magdall a deeper appreciation for the collaborative, multi-layered nature of research.

“Previously, my research experience was more about helping out with specific tasks,” Magdall says. “This summer, I got to be involved with every part of the research process—collaborating, problem-solving, and seeing how all the pieces of a research project come together.”

Connecting research and clinical practice

With support from a National Institutes of Health training grant led by CVM professor Ned Patterson, Rachel Cheung worked under the mentorship of Eva Furrow in the Canine Genetics Laboratory. Her project focused on identifying genetic variants that increase risk for calcium oxalate urinary stones—a painful and recurrent condition in both dogs and humans.

By mapping genetic variants across dog breeds and recruiting new dogs to participate in the study, Cheung contributed to a growing foundation for future screening tests that could help veterinarians better predict risk and guide targeted therapeutic strategies. Another long-term goal of the work, describes Cheung, is to work with breeders to breed out the genetic variants that increase stone risk.

“I’ve always been interested in genetics, but applying it in the context of veterinary medicine was eye-opening,” she says. “Working with Dr. Furrow and her team gave me new insight into how research can directly inform clinical practice.”

Cheung says she also learned about communicating with non-scientists, a skill that is crucial for both researchers and clinicians alike: “Dr. Furrow is also skilled at communicating scientific concepts in a way that makes it easier for people to understand, so I was able to learn a lot from her approach to explaining science.”

Building skills and perspectives for the future

Beyond the lab and fieldwork, the Summer Scholars program offered seminars, workshops, and field trips that were aimed at developing the foundational skills of practicing scientists and gaining exposure to diverse career pathways in veterinary medicine. 

“It was amazing to see the scope of what veterinary researchers are working on,” Magdall says. Cheung adds that the experience broadened her perspective: “It really demonstrated the many paths veterinarians can take in research and industry.”

Both Magdall and Cheung emphasized the impact of the national symposium, where they joined hundreds of peers from across the country to share research and build networks as the summer drew to a close. The projects they presented spanned genetics, infectious disease, ecosystem health, and much more. 

For some students, the program has been life-changing. Two-time Summer Scholar Lauren Wolfrath describes, “The Summer Scholars program reignited my deep passion for discovery and research, ultimately leading me to enroll in the DVM/PhD dual degree program after starting veterinary school. Without this experience, I may have never considered a full-time career as a researcher. Now I appreciate the importance of veterinary scientists and how our multi-species training positions us to discover and create medical solutions that benefit both humans and animals.”

Whether or not they pursue research careers long-term, the students leave with new skills, experiences, and connections that will serve them well. “What an inspiring group of students we had this summer,” Walcheck says. “On a personal level, it was great to get to know them better, especially at the Veterinary Summer Scholars Symposium. We’re proud of the work they accomplished and excited to see how they carry these experiences forward.”