Program

Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University

In partnership with the NIH Comparative Biomedical Scientist Training Program (CBSTP), the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University offers post-DVM graduate training positions in anatomic pathology, clinical pathology, comparative medicine, and microbiology.  With a focus on understanding internationally important infectious disease, the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology is home to world-renowned scientists and leaders in laboratory research. Students have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience by working alongside faculty with specialties in bacteriology, mycobacterial disease, prion biology, vector-borne infectious disease, virology, and computational biology. An emphasis is placed on a multi-disciplinary approach to research problems. This is facilitated by collaborations with major research groups within the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Interpretive diagnostic expertise training is also provided in conjunction with the Veterinary Teaching Hospital and the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.

The program is designed to culminate in specialty board certification and granting a PhD degree.  Residency training is facilitated by a diverse faculty, approximately 22 of whom are ACVP, ACVM or ACLAM board certified.  Applicants must have a DVM or equivalent degree from an AVMA accredited College of Veterinary Medicine/equivalent.

For additional information, visit: https://vetmedbiosci.colostate.edu/mip/. 

Please contact Dr. Amy MacNeill; tel. (970) 297-5112 or email amy.macneill@colostate.edu if you have any questions about the MIP residencies at CSU.

Facilities

Colorado State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories: https://vetmedbiosci.colostate.edu/vdl/

Colorado State University, Center for Metabolism of Infectious Diseases: https://www.research.colostate.edu/c4mind/

Colorado State University, Center for Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases: https://vetmedbiosci.colostate.edu/cvid/

Colorado State University, Mycobacteria Research Laboratories: https://vetmedbiosci.colostate.edu/mrl/

Colorado State University, Prion Research Center: https://vetmedbiosci.colostate.edu/prc/

Curriculum/Degree Requirements

Goals

The Ph.D. in pathology provides opportunities for graduate training in fundamentals of modern pathobiology, immunology, and investigative microbiology, with an emphasis on a multi-disciplinary approach to research problems. Study naturally occurring animal disease and host response in a variety of species, including cancer, inflammatory, and infectious diseases. The program will not only provide a strong foundation in a selected discipline, but also involves research in progressive areas such as emerging diseases, comparative oncology, interdisciplinary/systems biology, and translational medicine.

 

Doctor of Philosophy Degree

University and Department Course Requirements and Program of Study

The student and the student’s graduate committee share responsibility for formulating the coursework in the students' program of study. The program of study for students is based on the student’s academic background, area of specialization, and recommendations of the graduate committee. Students must fulfill the core area requirements for their degree program. The core departmental areas are defined as bacteriology, virology, molecular genetics (molecular biology), immunology, vector biology and pathobiology (includes prion biology, toxicology, and cancer biology).

 

1. Credit Requirements

Each Ph.D. student shall acquire in-depth knowledge in the selected area of research specialization(s) and breadth of knowledge by completing formal coursework in three of the core areas defined above. Adequate knowledge in general biological and physical sciences is also required. To be recommended for candidacy, in addition to completing the required coursework, students must demonstrate to the satisfaction of their graduate committee that they possess the knowledge, abilities and skills essential for the specialization chosen.

For the Ph.D. degree a minimum of 72 credits in courses (numbered 300 or above) and research is required. An appropriate master's degree or DVM/VMD or equivalent from an accredited college or university may be recommended for approval for a maximum of 30 credits. At least 21 credits beyond the M.S./DVM degree are to be earned in courses numbered 500 and above and 16 credits should be in regular courses (excludes MIP798 research, MIP799 dissertation, MIP700 topics, MIP784 supervised teaching, and MIP792 seminars). The department requires that 13 of the 16 credits be earned in MIP courses.

Ph.D. Graduate Program minimum course requirements Required courses:

• MIP700- Topics in Microbiology, 1 credit each year (PhD- at least 4 semesters)
• MIP792A- Seminar- Research/Graduate, 1 credit each semester
• MIP654- Research Policies and Regulations, 1 credit

• or GRAD544- Ethical Conduct in Research
• or CM666- Science and Ethics

Highly recommended:

• MIP540- Biosafety in Research Laboratories, 2 credits
• MIP643- Grant Writing for Microbiology/Pathology, 1 credit
• MIP666- Writing Scientific Manuscripts, 3 credits Ph.D.

 

Graduate Program average time to completion is 4.5-5 years.

Please refer to this link for more details on coursework requirements: https://vetmedbiosci.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/mip-combined-residency-curriculum.pdf

 

Preliminary Examination for Admission to Candidacy for the Ph.D.

The Doctor of Philosophy student gains admission to candidacy by passing a comprehensive preliminary examination. The preliminary examination consists of preparation of a written research proposal and an oral exam, which covers the candidate’s entire program of study. The preliminary examination is to be administered by the end of the 5th semester in the graduate program (Fall semester of the third year). D. Graduate Seminars and Presentations All graduate students are required to register for graduate seminar (MIP792A) and regularly attend weekly seminars during the fall and spring semesters. Graduate students are required to present a seminar every other academic year during their graduate studies, beginning in the second year. Final defense seminars may be presented as part of the weekly graduate seminar series or separately.

MIP Graduate Curriculum - PhD Credit Requirements

• 72 credits total
• 24 credits at CSU (30 credits can be applied from MS or DVM degree)
• 21 credits must be 500+ (beyond MS/DVM if applicable)
• 16 credits must be regular courses*
• 13 credits must be regular courses* with MIP prefix

*Regular course work is defined as courses other than seminars, topics, independent or group studies, research credits, thesis/dissertation credits, and supervised college teaching.

2. Research Teams

In order to facilitate research conducted by our faculty, development of mentoring skills of our graduate students and research experience for our undergraduate students, MIP has formally implemented a strategy to foster research teams. Research teams are composed of faculty principal investigators (PIs), their students working toward a PhD or MS degree or postdoctoral fellows acting as research mentors (RMs), and students seeking research experience as research trainees (RTs). While we believe that these research teams will greatly advance and enhance our research, mentoring and training opportunities and strongly encourage participation, research team development is completely voluntary.

The research team will be led by a faculty mentor who is acting as a PI on a research project in their laboratory. Research mentors will coordinate with their PIs to identify interested and motivated undergraduate students to join their research team. With consent from their faculty mentor, graduate student RMs can enroll to receive transcripted credit towards their graduate degree for mentoring RTs. Graduate student RMs can also apply these credits toward fulfilling the requirements for the TILT Graduate Teaching Certificate Program.

Research mentors are expected to enroll in a mentoring class for formal instruction on how to mentor a RT. MIP offers MIP780A3- Research Teams Mentoring, a course that teaches graduate students techniques to effectively mentor in a research laboratory setting. It is also expected that research mentors will mentor their RT(s) at least 9 hours per week, including mentor them to present their work to the broader community, such as Celebrate Undergraduate Research and Creativity, Multicultural Undergraduate Research, Leadership and Art Symposium, Science on Tap, or some similar opportunity.

3. Teaching

Students admitted into the MIP graduate program may be assigned teaching duties in the undergraduate courses offered by MIP. These students are required to attend the GTA Workshop presented by the Institute for Learning and Teaching (TILT) and the Graduate School, which is held the week before Fall semester classes begin. Colorado State University offers a Graduate Teaching Certificate Program, which you can work towards during your teaching assistantship in the first year of your M.S. or Ph.D. This is a great opportunity to get credit for your teaching hours and to put together a teaching portfolio with help from experienced faculty.

4. Laboratory Rotations

Students admitted into the MIP graduate program contact faculty members to arrange two laboratory rotations during the first semester; each rotation is approximately 8 weeks in length. Students have an opportunity to perform a 3rd or 4th rotation during their second semester, as needed. The Associate Department Head for Graduate Education will assist students in the selection of research laboratories. By the end of the first two semesters of study, a permanent faculty research advisor is identified and approved by the GEC and Department Head.

 

For more information about pursuing a PhD in Pathology at CSU, please visit:

https://vetmedbiosci.colostate.edu/degree-programs/graduate/ph-d-in-pathology/

https://vetmedbiosci.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/MIP-Graduate-Curriculum-w-descriptions.pdf

Staff

• Dr. Zaid Abdo, Ph.D. Link Associate Department Head for Graduate Education Professor Understand the structure, interactions and functions of the microbial community with their host; antibiotic resistance in bacteria
• Josh Daniels, D.V.M., Ph.D., D.A.C.V.M. Link Associate Professor Microbiology Veterinary Residency Coordinator
• Lon Kendall, D.V.M., D.A.C.L.A.M. Link Director, Lab Animal Resources Joint Professor Comparative Medicine Veterinary Residency Coordinator Host immune response, diagnostics, laboratory animal pathology.
• Amy MacNeill, D.V.M., Ph.D., D.A.C.V.P. Link Associate Professor Clinical Pathology Veterinary Residency Coordinator Research interests include isolation and characterization of canine and feline tumor cells and the study of poxviruses as anticancer agents.
• Allison Vilander, D.V.M., Ph.D., D.A.C.V.P. Link Assistant Professor Anatomic Pathology Veterinary Residency Coordinator Probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus acidophilus as an oral vaccine vector and pre- and probiotic influences on the development of the mucosal immune system.

Links

• Colorado State University, Collage of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
• Colorado State University, Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology
• PhD in Pathology
• PhD in Microbiology

Program

University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathobiology 

Anatomic Pathology Residency

The veterinary anatomic pathology residency program in the Department of Pathobiology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine is a 3-year position intended for the training of individuals for ACVP board certification. Under the direct supervision of full-time faculty members, trainees receive advanced instruction with an emphasis on gross and microscopic pathology of case material, including autopsies on animals submitted from the veterinary hospitals (Philadelphia and New Bolton Center), laboratory animals from University research facilities, and surgical pathology specimens of canine and feline patients from the hospital and referring veterinary practitioners (average of 45 biopsies per day). Primary training will take place at the small animal hospital located in Philadelphia. Six months will be spent at the large animal facility, the New Bolton Center, in rural Chester County. A longer rotation at NBC is provided for those with a strong interest in large animal pathology.

The responsibilities and opportunities entailed by the residency program include weekly microscopic and gross rounds, monthly specialty rounds including ocular pathology, neuropathology, dermatopathology, laboratory animal pathology, cytology, and journal club, and departmental and university seminars. The Department of Pathobiology utilizes a digital slide scanner (Aperio Versa) and offers training in digital pathology and image analysis, an essential part of the field that has been rapidly growing in prevalence and importance. With guidance from the faculty, all residents are required to attend and present research at the ACVP annual meeting and are expected to submit a first-authored manuscript. Residents are expected to participate in the instruction of interns and veterinary students, including oversight of the 4th year pathology rotation, lectures, and laboratory exercises. Residents can also complete externships outside of the University for a period of up to 6 weeks, as approved by the residency directors.

Please visit the website:

http://www.vet.upenn.edu/research/academic-departments/pathobiology

Facilities

Pathobiology Core Facilities & Resources

• Center for Host Microbial Interactions: https://www.vet.upenn.edu/research/centers-laboratories/center/center-for-host-microbial-interactions
• Penn Vet Imaging Core: https://www.vet.upenn.edu/research/core-resources-facilities/imaging-core
• Comparative Pathology Core: https://www.vet.upenn.edu/research/core-resources-facilities/comparative-pathology-core

Curriculum/Degree Requirements

Goals

1. To provide training in diagnostic pathology of large and small domestic animals, laboratory species, and wildlife. This will involve recognition of specific diseases and knowledge of their pathogenesis.

2. To enable the successful trainee to be eligible for board certification by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists.

3. To provide additional training in research areas of interest to the resident, including but not limited to:

• Epidemiological surveys
• Cancer pathology
• Dermatopathology
• Comparative Pathology Core / Toxicologic pathology
• Laboratory animal pathology
• Immunohistochemistry
• Digital Pathology and Image Analysis
• Penn Vet Imaging Core (confocal microscopy, immunofluorescence)

 

I.  General

The start day is 1 July 2024. Appointments will be on a yearly basis, and if mutually acceptable, renewed at the end of the first and second year. All trainees will be reviewed by the faculty twice per year, and their progress through the program will be evaluated.

Affiliations

• University of Pennsylvania Schools of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing
• Abramson Cancer Center
• Wistar Institute
• Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)
• Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System: ​​​​​​ 
  1. Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
  2. Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory, Harrisburg, PA.

 Community

The University of Pennsylvania, one of the oldest universities in America, was founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1749. It is located within the city of Philadelphia on the west bank of the Schuylkill River on a campus covering 250 acres. Its central location allows easy access to the entire metropolitan area with its associated cultural amenities. The University of Pennsylvania is a private Ivy League institution that comprises four undergraduate, twelve graduate and professional schools, eleven biomedical graduate groups, and various academic and research divisions.

 

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

 

II. Service: Residents will be on a rotating week-long service schedule

• Autopsy service: Residents will be on a rotating week-long service schedule. Residents are expected to teach and evaluate the senior veterinary students and generate gross and histologic reports. 
• Autopsy/Biopsy service: Residents will read the outside autopsy submissions sent through the biopsy service and review the cases with the pathologist.
• Biopsy service:  A portion of the daily biopsy cases will be assigned to the resident as a diagnostic exercise for review with the pathologist. Residents will receive the remaining biopsy slides to review independently after the pathologist has read the cases, with the final biopsy reports available for review by the resident and discussion with the pathologist. Residents will be trained on proper trimming technique of biopsy samples.
• Dermatopathology service: Residents will receive and review the daily cases with the dermatopathologist in a manner similar to the Biopsy service.
• Comparative Pathology Core: Residents assist the CPC pathologists in ongoing studies, including comprehensive mouse phenotyping, slide evaluation, digital pathology/image analysis and immunohistochemistry. 

 

III. Laboratory Rounds and Seminars

Tuesdays:

·       Week 1-4 (8:30am):    Resident-led JPC rounds

 Wednesdays:

·       Week 1 (8:30am):       Dermatopathology

·       Week 2 (9am):            CPC or ULAR/Lab Animal (every other month, alternate with Wildlife)

                                          Wildlife (every other month, alternate with CPC/Lab)

·       Week 3 (8:30am):       Dermatopathology

·       Week 4 (9am):            NBC Day –Systems (large animal) *see schedule below

 Thursdays:

·       Week 1 (8:30am):       Biopsy

·       Week 2 (9am):            Systems (small animal) *see schedule below

 Fridays:

·       Week 1 (8am):            Keystone Seminar

·       Week 2 (8am):            Medical Oncology Cytology

·       Week 2 (9am):            Vet Path Journal Club **see rotation below

·       Week 3 (8am):            Keystone Seminar

·       Week 3 (9am):            Neuropathology

·       Week 4 (8:30):            Ocular Pathology

 Additional Rounds (schedule during off-hours):

·       JPC                             Independent, senior resident-led rounds

·       HUP/VHUP Path          Quarterly (alternate hosting at VHUP and HUP)

                                           In collaboration with AP/CP Path residents at HUP 

                                           Residents/Pathologists present case(s) “Morbidity & Mortality”

·       Departmental Seminars

 

IV. Research      

Each resident is expected to participate in at least one research project for publication. These projects are tailored to the individual interests of the resident and their future career goals. Each resident will present their research findings as a presentation or poster for the ACVP meeting in their second or third year of training. Residents may also be asked to prepare and present seminars on current and relevant research topics in the field of veterinary pathology.

Staff

• Elizabeth A. Mauldin DVM, DACVP and ACVD Link Professor, Pathology and Dermatology Canine and Feline Skin Diseases, Canine genetic skin disorders, Dermatology, Dermatopathology, Skin diseases, Pathology
• Amy C. Durham MS, VMD, Diplomate ACVP Link Associate Professor of Pathology Lymphoid neoplasms, Lymphoma, Oncologic pathology, Pathology
• Charles W. Bradley VMD, DACVP Link Assistant Professor of Pathology Veterinary Dermatopathology, Cutaneous microbiome of companion animals
• Molly E. Church VMD, PhD, DACVP Link Assistant Professor of Pathology Diagnostic pathology, Comparative Oncopathology
• Enrico Radaelli DVM, PhD, DECVP Link Associate Professor of Pathology, Comparative Pathology Core Pathobiology of animal models, Phenotyping of genetically engineered mouse (GEM) models, Comparative pathology
• Charles Assenmacher DVM, MSc, DACVP Link Senior Research Investigator, Comparative Pathology Core Pathological evaluation of laboratory animals used in fundamental research and preclinical studies
• Koranda Walsh VMD, DACVIM, DACVP Link Assistant Professor of Clinical Pathology Clinical pathobiology
• Martina Piviani DVM, MSc, MRCVS, DACVP Link Associate Professor of Clinical Pathology Cytology and haematopathology; Cytology-histology correlation; Cell pellet immunohistochemistry for the diagnosis of mesothelioma; Markers of sepsis in horses; Clinical pathology changes in canine leishmaniosis
• Candice Chu DVM, PhD, DACVP Link Assistant Professor of Clinical Pathology Canine chronic kidney disease, Next-generation sequencing, Digital cytology
• Julie Engiles VMD, DACVP Link Associate Professor of Anatomic Pathology Gastrointestinal pathology, Orthopedic pathology, Laminitis
• Susan J. Bender VMD, PhD, DACVP Link Assistant Professor of Anatomic Pathology
• Jolie Demchur VMD, DACVP Link Assistant Professor of Anatomic Pathology Clinical interests include disease pathogenesis and pathology of large animals, with emphasis on infectious disease and equine gastrointestinal disorders.
• Kevin Niedringhaus BVetMed, PhD, DACVP Link Assistant Professor of Wildlife Pathology
• Nathan D. Helgert VMD, DACVP Assistant Professor of Anatomic Pathology
• Katie Mulka, DVM, DACVP Assistant Professor of Pathology

Links

• University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine
• University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathobiology