| Overview of the program | The University of Chicago Laboratory Animal Medicine Externship Program is intended for veterinary students who are interested in learning about a career in the laboratory animal medicine field. The principal aim of the program is provide a broad overview of the field by exposure to all aspects of animal care and use program at the University of Chicago, one of nation's leading biomedical research facilities. The program consists of clinical and didactic components and can be tailored to individual student’s interest. Students can extern for 2-4 weeks during their clinical rotations and a small stipend may be available. The University of Chicago also hosts a paid ASLAP Foundation Summer Fellowship program for students who have completed their first or second year of vet school. This program includes formal rotations in: Small Animal/Aquatics, Large Animal/Nonhuman Primate, Animal Facility Management & Operations, Office of Shared Research Facilities, and IACUC/IBC. The extern participates in the residency didactic opportunities and performs a small research project that is presented at the end of the summer. The project will be presented as a poster that can be submitted for the National AALAS meeting (virtual or in-person).
Both programs offer the following experience and exposure to our Laboratory Animal Medicine Residency Program: Clinical Experience - Clinical exposure to rodents, large animals, nonhuman primates, non-traditional, and aquatic species
- Perform rounds with the clinical veterinarians, residents, and veterinary technicians
- Anesthesia preparation, surgical monitoring, and post-operative care of various species
- Exposure to the health monitoring, biosecurity, and quarantine programs
- Tour the rodent gnotobiotics and central zebrafish facilities
- Gain husbandry and equipment experience through direct interaction with husbandry staff
- Learn hands-on techniques with various species
- Exposure to the enrichment program of various species
- Attend quality assurance and post-approval monitoring (PAM) activities and IACUC semi-annual inspections
Didactic Experience- Attend resident didactic lecture series, pathology rounds, journal club, vet’s meeting, case rounds, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), and various other educational seminars
- Perform IACUC veterinary pre-review of select protocols with the veterinary reviewer
- Exposure to institutional Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs), Policies and Guidelines, and IACUC protocols
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