Students and researchers at a poster session event

CMSTP Program Overview

About the Program

The Comparative Medical Scientist Training Program (CMSTP) is designed to train the next generation of veterinary scientists at the nation's top-ranked School of Veterinary Medicine and College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences along with the University's internationally-recognized strong programs in Biological Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, and the School of Medicine.

 

Researchers in front of a poster
Co-Director, Dr. Sara Thomasy, with CMSTP trainer, Dr. Koen Von Rompay at the annual research symposium and recruitment event for the Graduate Group in Integrative Pathobiology.  

Trainee Opportunities

The CMSTP website provides links to the varied opportunities that await our new trainees. UC Davis provides post-DVMs with a rich training environment in mechanistic and translational research. Particular strengths include the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, California National Primate Research Center, Center for Neuroscience, the Biomedical Engineering Program, One Health Institute, Mouse Biology Program, and the Western Human Nutrition Research Center. These research centers provide a tremendous wealth of talented investigators and infrastructure for cutting-edge research in a wide range of disciplines.

 

Students and mentors gather at an event.
A speaker at a podium in front of a projected slide

 

Student-Centered Activities

Our CMSTP program hosts a number of student-centered activities, including biannual colloquia with the Animal Models of Infectious Disease (AMID) T32. Other activities center on our joint DVM/PhD (Veterinary Scientist Training Program or VSTP) and MD/PhD programs, to create a unique learning environment in comparative medicine. Our students are an integral part of this dynamic environment and promote the excellence of the program through their research, outreach and peer mentoring.
 

How the Program is Structured

To ensure the success of our new trainees, we have a comprehensive 4-year program at UC Davis, which supports DVMs in pursuit of their PhD. 
 

Year 1-4 program overview chart
Graduate groups from which you may be considered
Trainees become veterinary-scientists in one or more of three areas. Within the 4-year program, trainees advance to PhD candidacy and complete their dissertations.

 

Trainees will first gain entry to one of eight graduate groups*, where they train to become veterinary-scientists in one or more of the following areas: (1) host-pathogen interactions, (2) molecular mechanisms of disease, or (3) health and the environment. During their graduate education, they have the opportunity to participate in professional development programs and various designated emphases, all while maintaining their clinical connection.

* BMCDB, BME, EPI, IGG, IPB, MGG, NS, PTX
 

  • More information on Ph.D. programs can be found here and on each program’s page.