In collaboration with the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, the CNPRC provides resident training in Veterinary Anatomic Pathology - Laboratory Pathology Animal Track.
Location: W. R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (years 1 and 2); Comparative Pathology Laboratory and California National Primate Research Center (year 3); all University of California, Davis, CA
Qualifications & Requirements for Admission to the Program: Qualifications for admission include a DVM (or equivalent degree) from a veterinary school accredited by the AVMA (preferred) and a scholastic record sufficient for acceptance into graduate school (a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for undergraduate and veterinary school courses). Although resident applicants do not apply to graduate school at the time of application to the residency, we give preference to residents who are qualified to continue their advanced training in a post-doctoral degree program. GRE scores can be included by are not required for application to a residency program. Applicants must have demonstrated interest in a career in comparative or laboratory animal pathology.
Program Goals: The UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH), the Comparative Pathology Lab (CPL), and the California National Primate and Research Center (CNPRC) have a joint residency program in veterinary anatomic pathology designed to prepare candidates for careers in academia or laboratory animal pathology. This is a service-based position at the VMTH and CPL/CNPRC that is the first step of a two-phase training program leading to acquisition of the skills in diagnostic and translational experimental pathology. After three years of training under the guidance of board-certified diplomats (ACVP and ECVP), candidates are expected to take the ACVP certifying examination. At the conclusion of this phase, residents are encouraged to apply to the Graduate Group in Integrative Pathobiology in pursuit of a PhD. The ideal candidate would have a future plan to be in a service-based position with research collaboration or have a research focus that is specific to the animal-human model.
Objectives:
- To expose candidates to spontaneous diseases and background lesions in the common laboratory animal species (primarily rodents, rabbits and NHPs) by having the candidate be the primary case coordinator for all clinical (diagnostic) case submissions, including necropsy, biopsy, and cytology services, with supervision and instruction by the on-duty pathologist. Utilization of various diagnostics including microbiology, molecular diagnostics and serology.
- To familiarize the candidate with translational and/or comparative pathology with a focus on animal models of human disease. This includes acclimatization to varied species at each facility and specific SOP’s with special attention to phenotyping (CPL) and safety precautions (CNPRC). Although performed by on-site pathologists, opportunities to observe experimental protocols will exist.
- Host sessions of the Lab Animal Pathology Rounds and participate in other site-specific rounds/seminars relevant to comparative or experimental pathology.
- Assist in teaching veterinary medical students and lab animal medicine residents during dedicated rotations.
- Presentations and/or publications depending on case material and projects available.
Background Information
The CPL is a high-throughput diagnostic laboratory responsible for diagnostics and health monitoring of animals, mostly rodents and rabbits, from the UC Davis campus, other UC campuses, and world-renowned research facilities. There are approximately 2000 necropsy and biopsy submissions per year from the health monitoring programs, diagnostic cases, and collaborative or contract-based research projects. In addition, training in pathologic phenotyping of genetically engineered mice is provided in conjunction with the Knockout Mouse Project.
The CNPRC Pathology Service provides diagnostic and research support for the breeding colonies, rhesus macaques and titi monkeys, and research groups both within and outside the CNPRC. There are approximately 1200 necropsy, biopsy, and cytology submissions per year from the diagnostic cases and research projects.
Program Size: Duty responsibilities while at the VMTH are shared with 1 resident in the LAB ANIMAL PATHOLOGY TRACK, three residents in the STANDARD ANATOMIC PATHOLOGY TRACK, and two residents in the ZOO AND WILDLIFE PATHOLOGY TRACK. Duty responsibilities while at the CPL and CNPRC are exclusively accepted by the 1 resident in their third year of the LAB ANIMAL PATHOLOGY TRACK.
While at the VMTH, the resident will be guided and reviewed by board-certified (ACVP or ECVP) pathologists. While at the CPL and CNPRC, residents are mentored by the following faculty:
Denise Imai-Leonard, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVP. Director of the CPL. Instruction in Pathology of Laboratory Animals, emphasis on comparative pathology and rodent health monitoring programs/infectious disease, including fish and exotic species used in a laboratory setting.
Rachel Reader, BVSc, PhD, Diplomate ACVP. Manager of Pathology Services at the CNPRC. Instruction in Pathology of Primates.
Gabrielle Pastenkos, DVM, PhD. Staff pathologist for the CPL and CNPRC
Katie Olstad, DVM, Diplomate ACVP. Senior pathologist, CNPRC. Instruction in Pathology of Primates.
Stephen Griffey (emeritus), DVM, PhD. Instruction in Pathology of Laboratory Animals, with emphasis on comparative pathology and rodent health monitoring programs.
Stephen Barthold (emeritus), DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVP, Honorary Diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM). Instruction in Pathology of Laboratory Animals, research mentor.