Michigan State University

Program

MSU Logo

MSU in its collaboration with the NIH CBSTP provides foundational diagnostic pathology training at the university, prior to the trainees’ dissertation research, which is carried out at the NIH. The Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic investigation (PDI) in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University fosters excellence in research, teaching, service, and outreach. The department strives to provide an excellent environment for trainees, veterinary and graduate students, faculty and staff. The specific objectives of the department are to: furnish a high quality and technologically advanced experience in both pre-clinical and clinical years for the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree Program; support innovative graduate degree programs leading to the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in pathology; generate and disseminate new knowledge in pathology; and distribute novel and pathologically relevant information through scholarly publications, research proposals, and collaborative research efforts.

Facilities

The MSU VDL is one of the premier veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the world and provides full-service laboratory support using state-of-the-art facilities and equipment to the MSU Veterinary Medical Center, as well as to clients nationally and internationally. VDL service sections include: Anatomic & Surgical Pathology, Clinical Pathology, Bacteriology & Mycology, Endocrinology, Immunodiagnostics & Parasitology, Nutrition, Toxicology, and Virology. The VDL anatomic pathology section provides surgical and molecular pathology and necropsy services for all species. The section incorporates specialized testing and services including: oncopathology, dermatopathology, ocular pathology, and hepatic and gastrointestinal specialties, melanoma and mast cell tumor diagnostics and prognostication, lymphoma clonality testing, automated immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, and genetic testing.

The necropsy service has large, well-equipped BL2 and BL3 necropsy suites, designated rooms for avian necropsies, demonstration viewing areas, and advanced equipment for telecommunication and digital gross imaging. Other capabilities include performance of GLP studies, laser capture microdissection, generation of tissue-microarrays, and electron microscopy. The VDL is devoted to staying on the cutting edge of diagnostics and recent investments have included movement to a ‘green’ (xylene free) histology department with automated slide staining and cover slipping, digital PCR, and next generation sequencing.

MSU Vet Diagnostic Lab MSU Vet Diagnostic Lab2

Curriculum/Degree Requirements

Residents in the NIH CBSTP combined residency and PhD program at MSU will be located at the VDL and participate in both the necropsy and surgical biopsy services. Residents will enroll in the MSU Comparative Medicine and Integrative Biology Program (CMIB) as a graduate student. The major goal of our graduate training program is to select and train scientists, with or without clinical training, to design and conduct hypothesis-driven studies that elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of diseases. Our program is committed to providing excellent graduate training in comparative pathology and resident training in diagnostic veterinary anatomic and clinical pathology.

VDL Case Load

Percentage of case submissions by species
	Small Animals	Large Animals	Exotic/Zoo Animals	Lab Animals
Biopsy	95 %	3 %	1 %	1 %
Necropsy	55 %	35 %	5 %	5 %

The anatomic pathology section receives ~1200 necropsy cases and ~17000 biopsy cases annually.

Specialty Rounds

Dermatopathology, Oncology/Integrated Pathology, Ocular Pathology, Clinical Pathology, Gross Image, Necropsy, Laboratory Animal

Required Course Work

Courses:
24 credits

Dissertation research:
24 credits

Required Courses:

COURSE	CREDITS/WORKSHOPS
Advanced General Pathology	3 credits
Advanced Systemic Pathology	3 credits
Advanced Clinical Pathology	3 credits
Case Based Seminar	2 credits
Selective courses in Pathology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or Cell Biology	6 credits
Selective courses in Statistics, Experimental Design, Epidemiology	3 credits
Responsible Conduct of Research seminar series	7 workshops

Elective Pathology courses that may be used to fulfill the total course requirements:

Courses	Credits
Laboratory Animal Pathology	2 credits
Pathology of Neoplastic Diseases of Domestic Animals	2 credits
Avian Pathology	2 credits

Time Spent in Activities For Combined Pathology/PhD Training

ANATOMIC PATHOLOGY	SERVICE	TEACHING	SEMINAR/COURSES	RESEARCH	OTHER
Year 1 Combined Program	50-60	15	25	5	5-10
Year 2 Combined Program	50-60	15	25	5	5-10
NIH Dissertation Research	0	0	10	90

Trainees will regularly rotate through necropsy and surgical biopsies, and be exposed to clinical pathology via courses, rounds and seminars. While on service, residents will be under the supervision of a senior pathologist.

Teaching

Trainees will assist with instruction of veterinary students in the pathology clerkship through necropsy service duty and classroom instruction. There are also select teaching opportunities in the preclinical curriculum. Many residents are also involved in leading rounds sessions with the MSU CVM Pathology Club.

Travel and Attendance of meetings and Workshops

Residents receive yearly travel funds and dedicated time off service that allow them to attend national training sessions including C.L. Davis courses and symposia. All residents annually attend and present cases at the Midwest Association of Veterinary Pathologists (MAVP) annual meeting. Most residents annually attend and present at the ACVP or AAVLD national meetings.

MSU Surgical Path MSU Necropsy Floor

MSU surgical pathology rounds room (left) and MSU VDL BL2 necropsy floor (right).

Staff

Links

Disclaimer: This information is provided as general background only, is not specific program policy and is subject to change. Since graduate education is highly individualized you are advised to check with the university program directly for up to date information and requirements.