Development of short-term experiential opportunities to enhance the veterinary workforce - the USDA ARS animal health program (NP103) currently houses several of the world's experts on diseases of…

Development of short-term experiential opportunities to enhance the veterinary workforce - the USDA ARS animal health program (NP103) currently houses several of the world's experts on diseases of agricultural importance and in many instances conducts research that cannot be performed elsewhere due to needs for high containment facilities. As more emerging diseases come from animal origins, IT is of critical importance to have clinician researchers with diverse expertise across a wide range of pathogens and host species to be able to quickly address them. The animal health national program has many scientist vacancies and has approximately 30% of current scientists eligible for retirement. ARS has had an increasingly difficult time recruiting qualified veterinarian scientists into these positions and state diagnostic labs and universities are facing similar difficulties. The objective of this initiative is to increase the pipeline of individuals seeking DVM, PHD degrees to work inanimal health research. Early exposure and experiential learning in these fields/careers and to individuals working in this space will enable students to gain valuable research and educational experiences as well as develop relationships to successfully complete DVM, PH.D. Degrees. This will ultimately enhance the resilience of the U.S. To emerging, reemerging, transboundary and zoonotic diseases by maintaining a cadre of scientific expertise ready to address any disease in any host species.