Externship Experiences

Below is a listing of some of the various Public Health experiences/internships held by members of our organization.  If you have any comments, questions, thoughts, or if you would like more information on any of the experiences listed below please e-mail us at uofipha@gmail.com.




APHIS/ Smith Kilbourne Foreign Animal Disease School
Title:  FAD School Student
Location:  Cornell University, Plum Island

Lectures about the "One Health" concept and careers in public health at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. Then 2 days of viewing FAD (FMD, H1N2, END, African Horse Sickness) at Plum Island late May, early June Application to Dr Foreman. 1 student/ school. Dr. Linda Detwiler recruits 1-Feb-10 Excellent opportunity to learn about foreign animal diseases and make contacts with other schools.


APHIS/ USDA - Animal Care, Department of Emergency Services Animal Care
Title: Veterinary Student Intern
Location: Fort Collins, CO (though other positions in Riverdale, Maryland and Raleigh, NC)

Designed protocols and put together working groups to address companion animal issues during emergency situations (based on the idea that people will not evacuate their homes if their pets cannot come with them) mis-June to end of July 2010 Jeannie Lin, USDA/ APHIS (jeanie.lin@aphis.usda.gov) None set for this year but last year it was around March or April Last year was the first year for this project. There was a lot of desk work, but it does give a good view of how the government works and you can gain a lot of contacts for working for APHIS.

Morris Animal Foundation 
Title: University of Illinois Student Research Fellow
Location: Western Uganda, Champaign, IL

Designed a research project regarding risk factors for monkeypox transmission in Western Uganda. Must present data at annual conference in Denver, CO- meets in Feb for the Wildlife Division. May 2008-July 2008. CZR conference early August, 2008, MAF conference June 2009

http://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/professionals/veterinary-students/

Research grant due 2/5/2010 Outstanding opportunity. Must find a mentor and tailor project to wildlife (if you want to make this relevant to public health). A lot of self-motivation necessary, but this is an excellent opportunity.

Merck-Merial grant/Center for Zoonses Research
Title:  UIUC Student Research fellow
Location:  Urbana, Chicago, IL

Assisted with field research concerning mosquito larvae production & wild bird surveillance in association with West Nile virus in Chicagoland area May 2008-Oct 2008

http://vetmed.illinois.edu/research/summertraining/index.html

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District
Title:  Volunteer/Intern
Location:  Champaign, IL

Assist with various projects concerning zoonotic disease awareess campaigns, emergency preparedness plans, interdisciplinary collaborations, etc. Feb 2009 - present

Awais Vaid: avaid@c-uphd.org none Contact for research opportunities.

Summer Veterinary Research Program
Title:  Student Research Fellow
Location: University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign

Designed research project studying Surfactant protein A in the presence of a pathogenic fungi in bird and companion animal lungs and its ability to aggregrate yeast. June-August 2009.  A good introduction to research if you have no experience and good way to expand research knowledge in areas of interest.

AVMA Headquarters
Title:  Extern
Location:  Schaumburg, IL

I spent 2 weeks with the Scientific Activities Division. During that time, I reviewed proposed legislation, looking for aspects that would impact veterinarians and tried to determine how those points aligned with AVMA policy statements. I also got to spend time looking at emergency preparedness, the One Health grant/committee and the communications department.  Externships with the other divisions possible as well. You can split your time among different divisions if you are interested in doing so.

http://www.avma.org/savma/services.asp#avma-extern

USDA - Food Safety and Inspection Service
Title:  Veterinary Student Intern
Location: Chicago Area/Indiana/Washington D.C. (Locations available across the country)

Summer was spent shadowing veterinary inspections at beef, veal, swine, poultry, sheep and goat slaughter plants, and processing plants. I got to practice animal and plant inspections, decide if things were safe to eat, and saw a lot of pathology. I took samples and tested for antibiotic residue. I also learned how to sample for BSE. I also was able to inspect food production facilities/processing plants (i.e. frozen pizza plant, TV dinners, resteraunt preperation facilities, etc.).  During the last week, I was introduced to different careers and issues in FSIS in D.C.

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/careers/Veterinary_Student_Employment_Program/index.asp

It was nice to see where your food comes from and the inspection process, but almost all time was spent in a slaughter plant around carcasses and only sometimes live animals. Very good pay. I stayed at home, but I would recommend choosing somewhere else. FSIS will pay for your lodging and food which I missed out on while staying at home. They paid for my trip to D.C., very nice hotel, and food while I was there.

Merck-Merial grant/Center for Zoonoses Research
Title: UIUC Student Research Fellow
Location:  Champaign County, IL

Working with the Champaign-Urbana Public Health Department I evaluated the fresh produce availability across Champaign County, IL. I used mapping and statistical programs to aid in the research. I presented my research at a Geographical Informations Systems conference in Rhode Island the following summer (2009).

http://vetmed.illinois.edu/research/summertraining/index.html