The objective of the Tulane University Laboratory Animal Medicine Training Program is to provide a broad exposure to the field of laboratory animal medicine to veterinarians, to train them in the principles of biomedical research, to prepare them for board certification by the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM) and a career in laboratory animal medicine. Two options are available to residents, the first emphasizing nonhuman primates (NHP) and the second being more species balanced. Residents will complete didactic and hands on training as well as complete a first author publication using data derived from a hypothesis driven research project. The Tulane University Laboratory Animal Medicine Training Program is a collaborative effort between Tulane University and the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine (LSUSVM) that was established in 2002.
The program is accredited by ACLAM and is focused to provide detailed training in clinical medicine and surgery for laboratory animal species in the environment of a biomedical research program. Residents are required to design and act as the principal investigator for a small research study focused on infectious disease, clinical medicine, surgery, laboratory animal management or animal behavior. Depending on the track chosen, the successful applicant will spend up to two months per year at the LSUSVM in Baton Rouge, La, rotating through two vivaria covering a broad range of species. Weekly didactic colloquia are held at the LSUSVM for residents from the Tulane and LSUSVM training programs. Ten months per year are spent at the Tulane National Primate Research Center (TNPRC) and the Tulane University Department of Comparative Medicine (DCM) at the Tulane School of Medicine and Uptown Campus Vivaria. Additionally, training includes a weekly seminar, slide review, case presentation, instruction of veterinary students, facility management, and diagnostic pathology. Residents will participate in monthly virtual grand rounds and an annual meeting with fellow residents enrolled in similar training programs. Opportunities exist for subsequent doctoral level training at the TNPRC.
The Tulane University Laboratory Animal Medicine Training Program provides two options for residents. Option 1 of the Tulane University Laboratory Animal Medicine Training Program is a two-year program geared toward the clinical care of all research animals with an emphasis on nonhuman primates used in biomedical research. Option 2 of the Tulane University Laboratory Animal Medicine Training Program is a two-year program geared toward the clinical care of all research animals with no particular species emphasis.
| OPTION 1: NHP Focused | Year 1 | Year 2 |
|---|---|---|
| LSUSVM | 2 months | 2 months |
| DCM (Tulane Medical School and Uptown Campus) | 1 month | 1 month |
| TNPRC Clinical Nonhuman Primate Medicine | 3 months | 3 months |
| Research Project | 6 months | - |
| NHP Research Support | - | 3 months |
| TNPRC Administration/Management | - | 2 months |
| NHP Behavioral Management | - | 1 month |
| OPTION 2: General Track | Year 1 | Year 2 |
|---|---|---|
| DCM (Tulane Medical School) | 2 months | 4 months |
| DCM (Uptown Campus) | 1 month | 2 months |
| TNPRC Clinical Nonhuman Primate Medicine | 3 months | - |
| Research Project | 6 months | - |
| NHP Research Support | - | 2 months |
| Small Animal/NHP Administration/Management | - | 2 months |
| NHP/Rodent Behavioral Management | - | 2 months |
Both tracks are designed to take full advantage of the abundant resources provided by both Tulane University and the LSUSVM. In addition, residents in both tracks will attend didactic laboratory animal medicine training weekly at the LSUSVM with additional didactic components presented through the DCM and TNPRC.
Regardless of track, it is expected that residents will be knowledgeable in the following areas after completion of the two year education program:
- Laboratory animal biology
- Behavioral management
- Laboratory animal experimental models of human disease
- Regulatory compliance and management for research facilities using laboratory animals in general and NHPs in particular
- Preventive medicine programs for rodent and NHP colonies
- Rodent and NHP breeding colony management and SPF breeding programs for NHP
- Medicine and surgery in rodents and NHPs
The goals of the LSUSVM rotation are to provide additional didactic training and to provide exposure to laboratory animal species other than NHP and rodents. In addition, residents will rotate through the small animal programs at the Tulane DCM where they will participate in all aspects of a small animal facility including conducting rounds of the colony, sentinel monitoring, participating in hands on staff and investigator training and communicating with investigators. Residents will also participate in review of animal use protocols at all three facilities at Institutional Care and Use Committee meetings. Residents in both tracks will also participate in training programs for animal care staff and be part of the TNPRC Outreach Program, which consists of giving presentations about the benefits of animal research to the public. These activities occur throughout the two year program.
Application Process
Applications for the program are accepted only in years where there are vacancies in the program. To determine when an opening exists in the program please contact:
Division of Veterinary Medicine
Attn: Office Manager
Tulane National Primate Research Center
18703 Three Rivers Road
Covington, LA 70433
Telephone: (985) 871-6266
Fax: (985) 871-6328
E-mail: TNPRC-VetMed@tulane.edu
After determining when applications are being accepted, applicants should send a curriculum vitae, statement of goals and interests, complete transcripts, GRE scores (if available), and three letters of recommendation to:
Division of Veterinary Medicine
Attn: Dr. Kasi Russell-Lodrigue
Tulane National Primate Research Center
18703 Three Rivers Road
Covington, LA 70433
Telephone: (985) 871-6266
Fax: (985) 871-6388
E-mail: kerussel@tulane.edu
For questions concerning the program, contact Dr. Kasi Russell-Lodrigue by email or the Tulane Department of Comparative Medicine website. Tulane University and Louisiana State University are EEO/AA employers. Women, minorities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.
