Instructional Programs

Clinical Residency in Laboratory Animal Medicine

Training Activities

Overview | Training Activities | Laboratory Animal Residency: Goals and Objectives  | Laboratory Animal Residency: Research Training  | Pre-Doctoral Training |  Courses & Requirements | The Environment | Application | Eligibility | Financial Support

Post-doctoral fellows attending weekly pathology rounds

The primary goal of the program is to teach the knowledge, methodological skills, and scholarly work habits which will enable trainees to conduct research to advance knowledge in biology and medicine.

The first year of training (PHASE I) is centered upon specialty training in laboratory animal medicine and pathology. Rotations include the clinical medicine, pathology and IACUC units. The postdoctoral students also attend two weekly one-hour seminars that cover a variety of laboratory animal medicine, pathology and experimental research topics. During this initial year, the trainee will have many interactions with UW investigators, offering an opportunity to locate a research mentor in their area of interest for the second phase of their training.

The overall goal of remaining three years (PHASE II) of the training program is to complete a biomedical research project. The trainee will learn methodological skills and scholarly work habits that will lead to a successful career in biomedical research. This is accomplished through the mentor relationship with an established scientist and full participation in a research project. Specific objectives include the instruction of trainees in the principles of experimental design, statistics, data collection, grant writing, the preparation of manuscripts, and the ethical principles of research, including animal experimentation and the humane care and use of laboratory animals. Opportunities for advanced degrees are available.

Courses cover laboratory animal biology, techniques and methods for use of animals, current uses of induced and naturally-occurring animal models, diseases and care of laboratory animals, and discussions of the ethical questions surrounding animal use.