STILLWATER, Okla.—Jered Wendte, a second-year veterinary student at Oklahoma State University’s Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, has been accepted into the Howard Hughes Medical Institute-National Institutes of Health (HHMI-NIH) Research Scholars Program. Established in 1985 for human medicine and dental students, this is the first time the program has been offered to veterinary students.

“The program is designed for students interested in biomedical research,” explains Wendte. “Basically, it allows us to explore the possibility of a research career while doing research under a mentor who is currently an NIH investigator.”

“This is a great opportunity for Jered and we’re very proud one of our veterinary students is among the first to participate in the Scholars program,” comments Dr. Jerry Malayer, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education. “We have very talented students and hopefully more will have opportunities like this in the future.”

In August, Wendte will travel to NIH headquarters in Bethesda, MD., where he will reside with the other 41 student scholars for the next year. Each recipient completed an application and interview process stating why he/she wanted to participate in the program.

“We will work with people from all over the biomedical field,” says Wendte. “It will be interesting to see how my veterinary training and thinking compares with the perspective of people working in the medical field in relation to biomedical research.”

Upon arrival, each student is assigned a counselor, who discusses the student’s research interests. The counselor then directs the scholar towards groups working in those areas. Students visit with the various researchers and then select the project they will join for the duration of the program.

“This is going to be such an intellectually stimulating environment to work in,” smiles Wendte. “We’ll be staying in the Cloister, the scholar residence on campus. We just leave the dorm and walk to the laboratory. I will be housed with the other scholars from across the United States.”

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute provides the administration and funding for the program, including the salaries and benefits for the Research Scholars. The NIH provides advisors, mentors, laboratory space and equipment and supplies for laboratory work.

“We’re very proud to have had Jered selected to this highly competitive program,” states Dr. Chris Ross, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. “Only three other veterinary students from other U.S. schools were chosen. We highly encourage our students to explore professional paths that incorporate their veterinary training into biomedical research careers.”

Wendte graduated from Duncan High School and is the son of Steve and Sharon Wendte of Choctaw, Okla.