Our mission is to prepare students with DVM-PhD degrees to become exceptional veterinarian-scientists engaged in mechanistic and translational research to advance the health of people, animals, and the environment.

The career outcomes of our trainees is a testament to the success of our program.
To date, > 30 veterinarians have completed the CMSTP program with a Ph.D and gone on to leadership careers in academia, at government agencies, and in industry. Since 2006, 90% of our CMSTP graduates are using their research training to advance their careers. Based on the program’s historical data, we anticipate that the vast majority of our most recent graduates will seek a career as veterinarian-scientists in academia, biomedical research, and government service.

Since 2006, 90% of the 34 CMSTP trainees use their research training; 9 are in doctoral training, 5 are in additional training and 20 in all work places.
Current Trainees
Jefferson Breitenbeucher
Kuroda Lab
Maura Ruyechan
Ralston Lab
Talia Wong
Barker Lab
Jalika Joyner
Kreuder-Johnson Lab
Kim Jacobsen
Soto Lab
Rebecca Radisic
Bird Lab
Notable Alumni

Dr. Molly Church, Assistant Professor of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

Dr. Denise Imai-Leonard, Director of Comparative Pathogens Laboratory, Health Sciences Associate Clinical Professor of Pathology, Immunology & Microbiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis

Dr. Jennifer Johns, Associate Professor of Veterinary Pathology, Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University

Dr. Jennifer Luff, Associate Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University

Dr. Fauna Smith, Assistant Professor of Population Health & Reproduction & Assistant Agronomist, School of Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis

Dr. Natalia Vapniarsky-Arzi, Associate Professor of Pathology, Immunology & Microbiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis

Dr. Jose Vilches-Moure, Assistant Professor of Comparative Medicine, Stanford University

Dr. Erin Ball, Chief of Comparative Pathology at the United States Army Medical Directorate Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences in Bangkok, Thailand

Dr. Kasen Riemersma, Senior Reserach Scientist II, Promega