I want to take this opportunity to tell you all about my first
veterinary summer experience. I chose to apply for the Texas
A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences to
take part in the Veterinary Medical Scientist Research Training
Program. We were able to choose a research program that one
of the faculty members were currently working. I have always been
interested in large animal medicine and disease prevention. I grew
up on the United States - Mexico border and have witnessed the
impact that border inspection has both on the American and Mexican
side. I was lucky enough to have found Dr. Charles Long's lab,
where they were working on antiviral techniques to prevent
vesicular disease. The purpose of this work was to develop a method
that stimulates the immune system to be in a poised state, which
could block virus invasion. If successful, this new method could
provide much needed protection to livestock and the livestock
industry. Moreover, these same theories can be applied to a wide
range of animals, including humans.
The program also provided an opportunity to explore all aspects
of research. We met for discussions of our work with both
faculty and the other students in the program. We all had many
opportunities to talk over our work in both formal and informal
settings. As a group we had the opportunity to meet and join
open discussions with other research students and faculty in
multiple departments at the university. In addition, we
participated in a wide variety of field trips to area research
facilities and hospitals. During these tours, we met people
striving to improve both human and animal health through the One
Health Initiative. This program has opened doors for me that I
could never have imagined and exposed me to aspects of veterinary
medical research I had never considered.
One of the highlights of the summer research program was
presenting our results at the Veterinary Scholar Summer Symposium
in Loveland, CO. At the symposium we met many different students
from each one of the veterinary schools in the United States. It
was very neat to meet future colleagues at the symposium and get
the chance to learn about their work that summer. I was able to
meet many of the speakers, veterinarians, and researchers and talk
to them about their work and breakthroughs. It was nice to meet and
share ideas with such enthusiastic from all over the world. It was
a special experience to be a part of a community within veterinary
medicine that is so diverse and dynamic, a reminder that veterinary
medicine is truly a global enterprise.
This summer although challenging and new, brought such great
rewards. I highly recommend all students to embrace research.
Research is a significant part of both veterinary medicine and
human medicine. Veterinary research truly takes a One Health
approach that demonstrates that animal, human, and ecosystem health
are all entwined. I am very grateful to have had the chance this
summer to be involved in this program. I strongly encourage all
students to find similar opportunities that show them how they can
also expand their horizons.