The Division of Comparative Medicine (DCM) at MIT has trained veterinarians in the field of laboratory animal medicine since 1982. Over the past four decades, over 80 veterinarians have successfully completed the residency program, establishing themselves in prominent positions throughout the laboratory animal community. DCM-trained postdoctoral veterinarians have authored or co-authored more than 300 scientific papers in respected peer-review journals and contributed more than 50 chapters to field-leadingtextbooks. They have also played key roles in the scientific programs of the national meetings of a number of professional societies, and are well networked in the field. Notably, performance in the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM) board examination has also been exceptional.
Program Objectives
The primary objective of the DCM training program is to educate and train postdoctoral veterinarians in biomedical research within a comparative medicine setting while concurrently providing specialization in laboratory animal medicine and/or comparative pathology. This comprehensive program includes at least 2.5 years of integrated practical and didactic training, designed to build on the comparative knowledge, skills, and perspectives unique to veterinarians.
Trainees complete a variety of essential rotations to build expertise in comparative medicine. These include rotations in nonhuman primate (NHP) medicine, rodent clinical medicine, pathology, and management of other large animal models. Additional required rotations focus on aquatics, the Committee on Animal Care (CAC; MIT’s IACUC), and facility management. Together, these rotations provide a comprehensive foundation in laboratory animal medicine and comparative pathology.
Postdoctoral fellows also have the opportunity to pursue advanced degrees through:
- MIT’s Department of Biological Engineering
- MIT’s interdepartmental Microbiology Graduate PhD Program
- Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences
Note: Admission to these graduate programs is contingent upon a separate and competitive application process, typically during the first or second year of the DCM training program.
Admission Requirements
Applications must be submitted via the Veterinary Internship & Matching Program (VIRMP). Please note that laboratory animal medicine programs, including MIT’s, typically have an earlier application deadline than the standard VIRMP deadline. Consult the individual program description for exact dates each year.
Other requirements include a veterinary degree from an AVMA-accredited institution or ECFVG certificate and a license to practice veterinary medicine in at least one state of the United States.
Applicants are selected on the basis of their demonstrated interest in comparative medicine and research, academic record, research and clinical experience, letters of recommendation and personal interview.
Applicants who would like to discuss their application or have inquiries prior to applying can reach out to:
Director of the MIT ACLAM Training Program
617-253-1757
dvmtraining@mit.edu
Financial Support
Postdoctoral trainees are supported through either an NIH T32 training grant or departmental funds. Annual compensation has followed the NIH stipend schedule. Current salaries and benefits are found at the MIT Postdoctoral Salary and Health Insurance Rates page.
Facilities
DCM manages six centralized, AAALAC-accredited animal facilities across campus, encompassing approximately 225,000 square feet. These facilities house 15 species with an average daily census of around 100,000 animals and supports the research needs of over 100 investigators. The Division oversees facilities for germ free and transgenic work as well. Within the Division of Comparative Medicine is a fully staffed Comparative Pathology Laboratory (CPL). This unit provides diagnostic laboratory support for the Division’s animal care and health programs and also provides laboratory support to a number of biomedical research institutions in the Boston area.Additional resources include, four surgical suites, radiology units, and support space.
Trainees have access to additional MIT research facilities to accommodate their research needs. These include electron microscopy, cell sorting equipment, a monoclonal laboratory and gene sequencing facilities. Library resources include those within the Division, MIT’s libraries, the Harvard Medical Library and the Tufts/New England Medical Center Health Sciences Library.