Global Animal Health Certificate Application Packet

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1 Global Animal Health Certificate Application Packet The formal application to the Global Animal Health Certificate (GAHC) program should include the following documents and be submitted no later than December 1, 2015: Application form, including personal statement and signature of student and mentor Completed Global Animal Health Tracking Form (to date) Global Animal Health Major Project pre-proposal Name: DVM Class Class Rank Personal Statement (fill in below or attach separate document) please explain why you want to pursue the GAHC and how you think it will fit in with your future career goals. Please include any previous exposure you have had to global health issues, international veterinary medicine or international development and why you think this field is important. Also review what you have learned so far in the program and detail your personal pathway forward towards completion of the certificate (including chosen electives, activities, and projects). Be sure to review your statement with your mentor and obtain your mentor s signature below. Student Signature Date For mentors: your signature below signifies that you have read this students application, including the project proposal and agree to mentor this student for the duration of their participation in the Global Animal Health Certificate program (3 years). Mentor Signature Date

2 Global Animal Health Certificate Tracking Form Name Class Date Instructions: Please fill in the table, obtain your mentor s signature at the bottom of the page and return to the GAHC Coordinator by the end of April each year. Fill in the table with qualifying elective credits as appropriate. A total of 15 credits must be completed by DVM graduation to meet the GAHC requirements. Please review requirements on the website: Course/Activity Fall Semester (Year 1) VM 501P International Veterinary Medicine (required) 1 Summer Session (Year 1) VM 504P VM 599.1P Special Problems in Global Animal Health Fall Semester (Year 2) VM 597.6P UW-GH501 Introduction to Global Health (required) 1 Spring Semester (Year 2) VM 576P Emerging and Exotic Animal Diseases (required) 1 Summer Session (Year 2) VM 504P VM 599.1P Special Problems in Global Animal Health Fall Semester (Year 3) GAH 504 Multi-disciplinary Approaches to Global Health Challenges (elective) Spring Semester (Year 3) GAH 503 Animal Human Disease Interface (required) 1 Summer/Fall/Spring (Year 4) VM 600P Scientific Writing and Presentation (required) 1 VM 690P Student Initiated Professional Experience (required for DVM, elective for GAHP) VM 676P Veterinary Research Practicum (elective) Credits Date completed TOTAL Mentor Signature :

3 Global Animal Health Certificate MAJOR PROJECT GUIDELINES Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health College of Veterinary Medicine Washington State University Project Pre-Proposals due December 1, 2015 Please submit hard copy with signatures and electronically in word format to Dr. Petronella Magunda at All Global Animal Health Certificate (GAHC) students are required to complete a research-based global animal health project. The student will work with Allen School affiliated faculty and/or other approved outside mentor(s) to design and carry out a project. A pre-proposal outlining the focus and general scope of the project will accompany the student s application to the program to be considered by the GAHC Advisory Committee, normally in the second year of the DVM program. After being accepted, a well-developed research proposal will be submitted in the spring term to coincide with funding opportunity deadlines (usually February). The student will register for VM599P (Section 1, Special Problems in Global Animal Health) to receive credit for the project work. The student will use VM600P (Scientific Writing and Presentation required in DVM curriculum) for project write-up and presentation which should include the research conducted, but also the broader focus and scope presented in the pre-proposal application. The major project should constitute a minimum of 7 credits (6 credits from VM599P + 1 credit from VM600) toward the certificate. The learning goals for the major Global Animal Health Project, a critical component of the GAHC program, are as follows: To gain a deep understanding of global health in practice through a meaningful process of experiential learning, preferably in an international setting To actively participate in data driven, quantitative, evidence-based approaches to challenges in global health To gain a deep understanding of how and where animals and veterinary medicine contribute to global health To gain practical experience in implementing a structured project directed at an important global animal health problem For advice on developing a project, finding a mentor or seeking funding opportunities, please contact: Petronella Magunda BVSc, MPH, Ph.D Global Health Program Coordinator Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health College of Veterinary Medicine Washington State University Pullman, WA phove@vetmed.wsu.edu

4 Criteria for a global animal health major project: Project focus should be on a major health problem with global significance that can be addressed by intervention at the animal human interface. Impact in developing countries is preferred but not required. Hypothesis driven research with a certain level of independence and responsibility for the student (students are expected to demonstrate initiative and responsibility in study design, proposal writing, carrying out the project, analysis of results, writing and presentation) Project scale can be at any level, from cell biology to population level, with the long range broader expectation to contribute to solution based health interventions Student time commitment is to work at least 6 continuous weeks on their project for credit (40 hrs/week). Additional time and credit can be gained through various course credit mechanisms and is encouraged. Projects carried out over several years are also encouraged to promote development of expertise, skills and deeper knowledge. The Mentor role is critical to a successful GAHP certificate student. Research and field mentors are expected to actively advise students throughout their pathway to completion of their final written and oral presentation in the 4 th year. Research Emphasis It is expected that research (investigation, data generation, and analysis) plays a significant role in the GAHC project. The ability to design, conduct and analyze research are fundamental skills that graduates will benefit from to be successful in a global animal health career and strengthens their ability to support the fundamental value of evidence-based decision making in global health. The type of research involved in the GAHC project will not be restricted but will require a hypothesis and methodology prescribed by the appropriate discipline. Ideally a student should pursue a small independent project within a larger well supported global animal health project, but this is not always possible and will not be required. A well mentored stand-alone independent project will also be considered if it falls within the scope of global animal health. If an independent project is not pursued and a student instead participates in an ongoing research project, they will still be expected to be able to comprehend and explain the hypotheses being studied, the experimental design and methodology being used, and will be expected to contribute some analysis and original thought to their final paper. Experiential internships in global animal health, such as with USDA, PAHO or WHO, that do not include active research should be credited toward the Certificate as elective course credits through VM504P Global Studies and will most likely be carried out in a student s first summer. Students will be encouraged to link this first experience with their major GAHC project, but this will not be required. On the other hand, if such a placement does include a research component, directed by the agency and mentored by a WSU faculty member, this may be used as the basis for the major GAHC project.

5 Funding Students are encouraged to participate in the CVM Research Scholars and Research Fellowship programs to help support their GAHC work, or to participate in established externally funded opportunities when possible. Funding from the GAHC program cannot be guaranteed. Time commitment The student are expected to devote an entire summer (12 weeks) to their project, consistent with the Summer Research Fellowship program, and register for 6 credits using VM599P (Section 1, Special Problems in Global Animal Health) in the academic year following completion of the project. Additional course credits may be earned by spending more time in subsequent years devoted to the same project using VM599P Section 1 (repeatable). Professional Conduct GAHC students are expected to conduct themselves in a mature and responsible manner in accordance with WSU policy as stated at This is especially important in the research setting and when representing the Allen School overseas. Professional conduct will be included in evaluations by WSU faculty and external mentors. Reporting Students are expected to informally present their work to the WSU community after they complete the data collection and analysis phase. This may be accomplished through participation in CVM Research Day, or in the form of a poster or oral presentation arranged ad hoc by the GAHC coordinator. Students will formally present the entire scope of their project as their senior paper (VM600P) and submit their paper to the GAHC Coordinator. Students and their mentors are encouraged to submit the results of their project to a peer-reviewed publication, but this will not be expected or required. More rigorous independent research and publication requirements are more appropriate for work at the masters level and above. Student Mentoring Students should develop a relationship with a primary mentor, ideally someone who is directly associated with the proposed research project. The mentor is expected to be supportive and available and willing to commit to working with the student until graduation. The primary mentor should be a WSU faculty member but not necessarily an Allen School faculty member. Students should also identify a field mentor for their work away from the WSU campus and the field mentor and primary mentor should be in communication with each other. Field mentors will be expected to provide evaluation of the student. Faculty mentors are responsible for making sure that students have received appropriate training for their work and must make sure that the relevant regulatory compliance needs are met (e.g. IACUC, IBC, IRB, or in-country permits). Grading and Evaluation Student performance in their major project will be assessed based on feedback provided from the student s primary and field mentors, with final decisions made and submitted by the GAHC Coordinator. S/M/F grading system will be used.

6 Global Animal Health Certificate MAJOR PROJECT APPLICATION Part 1 Project Pre-Proposal Focus and General Scope (to be submitted with formal application) A project pre-proposal outlining the focus and general scope of a student s GAHC major project should be submitted with the formal application to the GAHC program. It will be considered by the GAHC Advisory committee along with other application materials and will provide the committee an opportunity to provide feedback before a formal research proposal is submitted. The pre-proposal should include the following elements and should be no longer than 2 pages: 1. A discussion of the global animal health problem to be addressed by the project, particularly the impact on human health and well-being, and it s importance on the global stage. This section should demonstrate the student s knowledge of the larger context and understanding of the issues, challenges, and previous investigations into the problem. 2. A statement of the purpose or underlying goals of the project (be as specific as possible). This should include distinct questions you hope to address in your research and how it will contribute to the global animal health problem you have selected (significance and application potential). A hypothesis and specific aims may be included, but are not required at this time. 3. An outline of the approach you hope to take to address the problem. General approach is acceptable, such as community survey, blood sampling, fecal sampling and serology, or laboratory inquiry and analysis. What will be your study population? Do you have a control population? What aspect of the methodology will you be directly responsible for? Methodology will be addressed in great detail in the full research proposal. 4. Indicate preparations you have completed or plan to complete to prepare yourself to participate in primary data gathering during your project. This can include lab training, literature reviews, and/or cultural preparations, and should be specific to your project. 5. Describe the important contact(s) you have made with your mentor and any other organization/agency to identify a location, duration and support for your project. Include, as attachments, any statements of commitment from the individual(s) or organization(s) allowing you to participate in the project during the specified time frame, including contact information. 6. Discuss the research support you anticipate you will need, including both support for the project as well as your own support (stipend, travel, housing and meals). Include your intention to apply for any specific sources of funding, or if your mentor will be able to provide support.

7 7. List references consulted to date (reference list not to be included in the 2 page limit). Concentrate on primary scientific literature as much as possible. Your reference list demonstrates the depth of your preparation and formulation of your research idea. Global Animal Health Pathway MAJOR PROJECT APPLICATION Part 2 Major Global Animal Health Project Research Proposal (to be submitted in February in line with CVM Veterinary Student Summer Research Fellowship application deadlines) Your application must include the following: 1. Title page including the title of the project; student name and class year; name, affiliation and signature of primary mentor 2. Description of the project Not more than five typed, double-spaced pages (using a font of no more than 12 characters per inch), excluding references and budget, written by the student with assistance from the primary mentor, describing the project. The following format is recommended: a. Hypothesis to be Tested (one sentence, with no more than a paragraph of added explanation) b. Significance and Objectives (one to two pages), including global animal health context and importance, and how this work will contribute to existing knowledge or available solutions. c. Materials and Methods (two pages) - detailed description of research methods to be employed in data collection and analysis, including the student s specific role in generating the data and the location of all aspects of the research d. Expected Results and Interpretation (one to two pages) discussion of how the project will address the stated hypothesis and objectives and what the implications will be for future research or application. e. References cited in the proposal f. Budget/Funding sources provide an estimated budget for your project and include funding sources you have applied for, or obtained to cover the costs, including research and personal expenses (sample budget can be provided) 3. Cover Letter from the student applicant One page describing the anticipated benefits of the experience, including meeting the learning objectives of the GAHC Major Project, and how the proposed project will benefit the student s personal career goals in global animal health. 4. Primary Mentor s statement One page, a signed statement by the primary mentor describing the nature of the student s involvement in the proposed work and the support to be provided by the mentor. The mentor should also indicate their relationship with the field mentor and an understanding of the logistical challenges. 5. Collaborators, Permissions and Logistical Arrangements - Describe the contact(s) you have made with your field mentor and any other organization/agency that will be involved in the proposed research. Include any statements of commitment from the individual(s) or organization(s) (with contact information) acknowledging their understanding of the scope of the project and providing permission (if appropriate) to perform the work. Provide a list of all permits or additional approvals you will require in order to conduct the project and attach any that have been obtained so far (including IRB, IACUC, CITES or USDA permits, country research permits, etc.)

Applying for a Research Grant

Applying for a Research Grant All full time NSU faculty are encouraged to apply for a one year or two year Faculty Research Committee Grant. The deadline for applications is the last Friday in March. Information