New Bolton Center at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and the Royal Veterinary College (UK) in collaboration with MARS Equestrian™ is seeking a motivated, enthusiastic candidate interested in pursuing training in equine research and welfare. The program is open to US and international candidates holding a veterinary degree (DVM/VMD/BVSc or equivalent). The overarching goal of this program is to improve the health and welfare of the horse by providing mentorship and training to a veterinary investigator interested in developing their equine knowledge and research skills. The MARS Equestrian™ Veterinary Research Scholarship provides a unique research-training platform for a veterinarian who is interested in improving equine health and welfare. New Bolton Center at Penn Vet and the Royal Veterinary College are centers of excellence at the forefront of animal health and together with MARS Equestrian™, will continue to drive the field forward in creating a better world for horses by engaging and training the next generation of veterinarians. This unique two-year program will provide research and animal welfare training within the supportive environments of two dedicated research and clinical centers. The aims of this program will be achieved in part by the candidate completing a research project and the Graduate Certificate in Animal Welfare and Behavior program (www.vet.upenn.edu/education/graduate-programs/certificate-animal-welfare-behavior) at New Bolton Center during year one, followed by completion of a second research project and the Master of Research (MRes) program (www.rvc.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/mres) at the Royal Veterinary College in year two. 

The 1^st year of the program at New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania will extend from September 6^th, 2022 to September 1^st, 2023. The 2^nd year of the program at the Royal Veterinary College will extend from October 2^nd, 2023 to September 27^th , 2024. The MARS Equestrian™ Veterinary Research Scholar will receive an annual stipend and tuition as well as travel expenses. The stipend will commence on September 6^th, 2022 and continue through September 27^th, 2024.

The deadline to submit your application for consideration is March 15^th,2022. Please submit your CV and letter of intent to Dr. Kyla Ortved at kortved@vet.upenn.edu. Interviews will be conducted via Zoom and the successful candidate will be notified in May 2022. For questions regarding the program or application submission, please contact Dr. Kyla Ortved at kortved@vet.upenn.edu. For questions regarding the RVC Master’s of Research Program, please contact Dr. Claire Thornton at cthornton@rvc.ac.uk.

Visit our webpages:

www.vet.upenn.edu/MARS-research-scholar 

https://www.rvc.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/mres/mars

Goals

The overarching goal of this program is to provide mentorship and training to a veterinary investigator interested in developing a career in equine research. Dr. Kyla Ortved, DVM, PhD, DACVS, DACVSMR will serve as the primary fellowship mentor at New Bolton Center. Dr. Tom Parsons, VMD, PhD will serve as the primary mentor for the Graduate Certificate in Animal Welfare & Behavior at PennVet. Dr. Claire Thornton will serve as the primary mentor for the Master of Research (MRes) at the Royal Veterinary College. Dr. Professor Pat Harris from the WALTHAM Petcare Science Institute and Dr. Bridgett McIntosh, Director of MARS Equestrian™ will serve as external advisors/mentors.

The MARS Equestrian™ Veterinary Research Scholar program will provide a unique platform for training in research for an early career veterinarian who is interested in pursuing a career in equine research and improving equine health. New Bolton Center at Penn Vet and the Royal Veterinary Collage are at the forefront of animal health and together with MARS Equestrian™, will continue to push the field forward in creating a better world for horses by engaging and training the next generation of veterinarians.

Program Timeline

September 6, 2022 – September 1, 2023     

Research scholar will spend 1 year at New Bolton Center focused on developing research skills under the mentorship of Dr. Ortved

Research scholar will complete the Graduate Certificate in Animal Welfare and Behavior at PennVet

October 2, 2023 – September 27, 2024           

Research scholar will spend 1 year at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) focused on completing a Masters of Research within a selected research group

The main objectives for the MARS Equestrian™ Veterinary Research Scholar are as follows: 

• Cultivate a broad understanding of equine research through engagement with different researchers at New Bolton Center and RVC. The investigator will develop skills in both basic benchtop research and clinical research throughout the program.

• Develop specific research skills including appropriate literature searching and review; data collection and organization; abstract preparation and submission; oral presentation of research findings; and manuscript preparation. The investigator will also be introduced to statistical analysis and familiarized with grantsmanship and funding mechanisms.

• Execute research projects during year 1 (New Bolton Center) and year 2 (RVC), the findings from which ideally will be submitted for abstract presentation at a national meeting and submitted as a complete manuscript.

• Complete the Graduate Certificate in Animal Welfare and Behavior at PennVet during the first year of the program.

• Complete Masters of Research at the Royal Veterinary College during the second year of the program.

• Share the importance of MARS Equestrian™ funding in equine research through stewardship. The investigator will be committed to stewardship and public service such that the efforts of the program will have wide-reaching impact. 

Reporting

The Veterinary Research Scholar will be expected to provide interim progress reports 3 times per year throughout the 2 year program. Interim reports will be given as short interactive videoconference or teleconference presentations, to Dr. Ortved, Dr. Thornton, Professor Harris, Dr. McIntosh, and associated colleagues; and will provide the opportunity for external input and mentorship. These will provide the early career investigator with the opportunity to organize research findings and present them in a succinct scientific manner as well as providing a lay summary. A final written report and research presentation to the New Bolton Center and RVC communities will also be expected. The final reports will provide the early career investigator with the opportunity to reflect on the experience and present final study findings. A lay summary of the achievements and outcomes of the program will be included in this final report. The lay summary will be suitable for dissemination to the public via industry events, print, and social media.

Visit our webpages:

www.vet.upenn.edu/MARS-research-scholar 

https://www.rvc.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/mres/mars