Recognized as a leading research institution in infectious diseases research,
Washington State University offers clinical microbiology residency training
leading to eligibility for American College of Veterinary Microbiology (ACVM)
certification (http://www.acvm.us/) with
state-of-the-art training biomedical research leading to the PhD. The
Department’s research and training programs are focused on the immunology,
epidemiology and host-pathogen interactions at the molecular level of bacterial,
parasitic, and viral infections of animals and humans.
Trainees develop a strong background through coursework in biochemistry,
bioinformatics, cell biology, disease pathogenesis, immunology, molecular
genetics, and statistics. Dissertation research is carried out under the
direction of a highly collaborative research faculty internationally recognized
for infectious disease research (http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/research_vmp/)
and who are experienced in mentoring trainees within state-of-the-art
laboratories funded by NIH, USDA, Morris Animal Foundation, The Wellcome Trust,
School for Global Animal Health, and additional international, federal, state,
regional, and private institutions and organizations. This academic research
environment is enriched by integration with the Washington State University
Animal Health Research Center, The Paul G. Allen Center for Global Animal
Health, and the USDA-ARS Animal Disease Research Unit.
The residency training occurs within the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic
Laboratory (WADDL), a full service veterinary diagnostic laboratory staffed by
faculty of the Departments of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology and
Veterinary Clinical Sciences. WADDL has 3 primary facilities, a primary full
service laboratory in Pullman, an Aquatic Health laboratory in Pullman and an
Avian Health and Food Safety Laboratory branch in Puyallup. The laboratories are
accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians
(AAVLD) and WADDL is one of 22 founding members of the National Animal Health
Laboratory Network (funded through USDA/APHIS) and one of the nine veterinary
diagnostic laboratories that serve as a reference lab in the Laboratory Response
Network for Bioterrorism (funded through the Centers for Disease Control).
Specialized sections in aquaculture, bacteriology, molecular diagnostics,
parasitology, serology, and virology ensures that residents develop a strong
background in all aspects of clinical microbiology, including detection and
diagnosis of emerging and zoonotic pathogens. Additional information about WADDL
is available at
http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/depts_waddl/
Training occurs under the direction of ACVM-certified microbiologists and is
enriched by faculty with expertise in infectious diseases, including zoonotic
agents and emerging pathogens. The rich and diverse case load provides direct
experiential learning and is supported by specialized infectious diseases
seminars.
Areas of Research Emphasis
The Program is highly collaborative with a
central theme of investigation of microbial pathogens and their interaction with
animal hosts and the environment. Within this common goal, there are currently
about extramurally funded projects, with a total extramural research budget of
over $18 million, in 8 integrated programs of emphasis :
- Bacterial and Viral Respiratory Disease
- Immunology: Innate Immunity, Immunogenetics, and Vaccine Development
- Parasitic Infections
- Persistent Viral Infections
- Transmissible Spongioform Encephalopathies
- Vector-borne Diseases
- Zoonotic and Food-borne Pathogens
Overview of the Graduate Program
Training is tailored to the
individual's background and career goals, with the proviso that a strong basic
sciences foundation is indispensable in preparation for disease research. Core
knowledge in the basic sciences is attained through coursework in biochemistry,
bioinformatics, cell biology, disease pathogenesis, immunology, molecular
genetics, and statistics. PhD candidates are required to earn 72 credits; 16 of
these credits must be formal graded graduate courses. The remainder is earned in
courses related to diagnostic microbiology and supervised dissertation research.
This core knowledge is advanced through actual service work in the diagnostic
laboratories, regularly scheduled seminars in diagnostic microbiology, special
seminar series, and through directed readings with the Graduate faculty.
Mentored laboratory research is the most critical part of the training and the
strength of our program. This is the primary mechanism by which the philosophy
of research is imparted to new scientists. In this arrangement, the major
professor and the trainee interact intensively, most often on a daily basis, to
define a research hypothesis and the appropriate experiments to test the
hypothesis. Together the major professor and graduate student trainee develop a
directed course of research. Throughout the training period, all graduate
students attend weekly research seminars where faculty and trainees present
recent results. The goal of trainee participation in these seminars is exposure
to critical analysis of data, experimental design and discussion of research
significance. Trainees are expected to conduct original research leading to a
significant contribution to knowledge in the trainee's area of emphasis and
culminating in publication in leading international scientific journals. This
publication is required for and constitutes the PhD dissertation. The final PhD
examination is preceded by a public presentation of the research, attended by
the faculty, graduate students, and post-doctoral fellows, followed by an oral
examination that is primarily a defense of the original research, but may cover
the general fields of knowledge pertinent to the degree. Grant writing skills
are developed through the expectation that trainees submit their PhD proposal to
an extramural funding agency.
Although the program is rigorous, the dual
training leading to the PhD in combination with ACVM certification prepares
trainees for leadership positions in academia and national and international
laboratories and trainees are very competitive for these positions. Of the 5
most recent trainees, 4 hold tenured or tenure-track academic positions and 1 is
a diagnostic microbiologist in a state laboratory. All trainees that have taken
the ACVM boards have been successful in achieving certification.
Application Procedures
Applicants must hold the DVM degree or
equivalent. U.S. citizen ship or permanent residency is not required, but
preferred. Applications should include veterinary college transcripts,
curriculum vitae, statement of professional goals and three letters of
reference.
Send applications to:
Thomas E. Besser, DVM, PhD
Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology
Washington State University
Pullman, WA 99164-7040
phone (509)-335-6044
email:
tbesser@vetmed.wsu.edu
The current starting stipend is $35,436 and includes basic health care
coverage. However, many starting stipends are significantly higher as they are
supplemented by specific fellowships for outstanding candidates—these are
dependent upon both candidate qualifications and fellowship availability. The
base stipend will be increased to a minimum of $42,000 in the 4th year of
training. Candidates with a DVM and who are US citizens may apply for a
position integrated with and supported by the USDA Animal Diseases Research
Unit. These positions are fully integrated with the Graduate Program.
Application should be made directly to the Department of Veterinary Microbiology
and Pathology and candidates eligible for and interested in a USDA position will
be nominated for a position in this Training Program by the Chair of the
Graduate Program.
More information on the USDA-ADRU can be found at
http://www.ars.usda.gov/main/site_main.htm?modecode=53-48-10-00
Washington State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity educator
and employer. Protected group members are encouraged to apply.
