Programs leading to the combined residency-M.S. degree and residency-Ph.D. degree are offered in veterinary anatomic pathology and veterinary clinical pathology. General training objectives are to provide: (1) comprehensive training in anatomic and clinical veterinary pathology in preparation for certification by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists; (2) experience in the teaching of veterinary pathology; and (3) research training in experimental pathology consistent with the fulfillment of requirements for the Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy degree.
A program of study is developed by the trainee in conjunction with a resident-graduate advisory committee to meet the individual needs and interests of the trainee. Included in the program are residency experiences in applied pathology, graduate coursework, independent study, teaching, and research. Residency experiences are enriched through close associations with the Thompson-Bishop-Sparks State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and the Scott-Ritchey Research Center, both located on the CVM campus. Research projects can be selected from a variety of specialty areas including infectious diseases, molecular pathology, oncology, neuropathology, avian pathology, aquatic pathobiology, parasitic diseases, and clinical pathology. Original research and a scholarly thesis/dissertation are typically required for the M.S. and Ph.D. programs. A program leading to a non-thesis M.S. degree is also offered.
Within the Department of Pathobiology, programmatic strengths include productive multidisciplinary research programs, opportunities to acquire teaching experience in the veterinary curriculum, and a substantial departmental commitment to graduate education. The Department sponsors an active research seminar series and encourages regular participation in scientific meetings and specialized training courses.
FACILITIES
The Department of Pathobiology maintains comprehensive and well-equipped clinical laboratories, diagnostic pathology support laboratories, and research laboratories in support of its residency and research training. Laboratories for molecular diagnostics, electron microscopy, and flow cytometry/cell sorting are available within the department. A variety of core facilities located throughout the College and University also are readily accessible to residents. A branch of the Auburn University library system is conveniently housed in the same building as the Department of Pathobiology. Annual accessions and archival materials in clinical and anatomic pathology provide rich resources for residency training.
Auburn University is a comprehensive public land-grant institution with an enrollment of approximately 24,000 students. The university is ranked as one of the top 50 public universities in the country in US News & World Report, and offers degrees in 13 schools and colleges at the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels. Veterinary Medicine was established as a degree program at Auburn in 1907, and is the oldest college of veterinary medicine in the southeastern U.S.
COMMUNITY
Auburn University is located on a 1,875-acre main campus in the southwest quadrant of the city of Auburn. The city and university are linked in their commitment to academic excellence and diversity. The Auburn-Opelika area has been named one of the top 50 Best Small Communities in America, and is located in east-central Alabama, 50 miles northeast of Montgomery, 120 miles southeast of Birmingham, and 115 miles southwest of Atlanta, GA. The population of the Auburn-Opelika area is about 117,000.
STIPEND AND MAINTENANCE
Residents in anatomic and clinical pathology hold the title of Graduate Teaching Assistant, and are offered a competitive benefits package that includes health insurance and tuition credit. Starting salary is $28,500.
APPLICATIONS
Individuals interested in learning more about residency training at Auburn are encouraged to contact Dr. Elizabeth M. Whitley for anatomic pathology (mcraeee@auburn.edu) or Dr. Elizabeth Spangler for clinical pathology (spangea@auburn.edu).
Applications are accepted year-round. The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (or equivalent) earned from a veterinary school accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association is required for admission. The selection process considers academic performance, scores on the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Test, letters of recommendation, and other evidence of scholarly achievement and commitment. The Auburn University Graduate School application form, GRE scores and official transcripts should be sent to: The Graduate School, Hargis Hall, Auburn University, AL 36849. Address inquiries, and send résumé, statement of goals and research interests, and 3 letters of recommendation to: Dr. Stuart B. Price, Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, AL 36849-5519 Phone: (334) 844-4539 E-mail: pricesb@vetmed.auburn.edu
FACULTY
R. Curtis Bird, PhD, Molecular genetics of cancer and cell cycle
Byron L. Blagburn, PhD, Parasitology, protozoal diseases
Mary K. Boudreaux, DVM PhD, Clinical pathology, platelet pathophysiology
Kenny V. Brock, DVM PhD, Infectious diseases, molecular virology, diagnostic microbiology
Nancy R. Cox, DVM PhD, Neuropathology
Christine C. Dykstra, PhD, Molecular parasitology
Sandra J. Ewald, PhD, Immunology
M. Daniel Givens, DVM PhD, Reproductive technology, antiviral treatment of embryos
Charles M. Hendrix, DVM PhD, Parasitology
Frederic J. Hoerr, DVM PhD, Dipl. ACVP, Avian pathology
Calvin M. Johnson, DVM PhD, Dipl. ACVP, Department Head; Infectious diseases, immunopathology
Kellye S. Joiner, DVM PhD, Avian pathology; diagnostic pathology
Bernhard Kaltenboeck, DVM PhD, Molecular diagnostics, chlamydial disease pathogenesis
Joseph C. Newton, DVM PhD, Fish pathology, gastrointestinal pathology
Leland P. Nuehring, DVM PhD, Orthopedic pathology
Kenneth E. Nusbaum, DVM PhD, Infectious diseases of fish
Valery A. Petrenko, PhD, D. Sci, Phage display, pathogen detection
Stuart B. Price, PhD, Molecular bacteriology
Bruce F. Smith, DVM PhD, Gene therapy
Eva A. Sartin, DVM PhD, Dipl. ACVP, Dermatopathology, endocrine and reproductive pathology
Elizabeth Spangler,DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVP, Clinical pathology, molecular biology
David A. Stringfellow, DVM MS, Reproductive technology
Haroldo Toro, DVM PhD, Avian diseases
Frederic W.van Ginkel, PhD, Molecular immunology
Vicky L. van Santen, PhD, Molecular virology
Richard C. Weiss, DVM PhD, Anatomic pathology, virology
Elizabeth G. Welles, DVM PhD, Dipl. ACVP, Residency Coordinator (clinical pathology); clinical pathology
Elizabeth M. Whitley, DVM PhD, Dipl. ACVP, Residency coordinator (anatomic pathology); tumor immunology, experimental pathology
James C. Wright, DVM PhD, Epidemiology
