College of Veterinary Medicine celebrates record-breaking success of 2025 Summer Research Training Program

Wednesday, August 27, 2025

Media Contact: Bailey Horn | Marketing Specialist | 405-744-6728 | bailey.horn@okstate.edu

Oklahoma State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine has officially wrapped up its 2025 Summer Research Training Program, marking one of the most successful years in the program’s history.

Led by program director Dr. Rudra Channappanavar and co-directors Drs. Kelly Harrison, João Brandão and Joshua Butcher, the 2025 program welcomed 17 veterinary student scholars, one of the largest cohorts to date. Students presented their work at OSU’s Poster Day and the National Veterinary Scholars Symposium.

“This achievement truly reflects our collective effort,” Channappanavar said. “Our incredible students, SRTP team, administrators, department and endowed chairs, funding agencies and support staff made this year’s program an overwhelming success.”

Highlights from SRTP 2025:

• Record cohort growth: Student participation increased from 13 scholars in 2024 to 17 in 2025.
• Historic external funding: OSU received four Boehringer Ingelheim and two Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research Veterinary Scholars Awards (FFAR). OSU is one of the only two veterinary schools in the nation to receive two FFAR awards this year. The program also secured a Morris Animal Foundation award to support an SRTP student.
• Outstanding Poster Day: OSU hosted one of its largest-ever Poster Days with high turnout from faculty, staff, students, family and friends. The program also launched its first poster awards, with four students earning honors.
• National recognition: Every OSU scholar presented at the symposium, drawing praise from faculty, peers and program officials, including representatives from the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research.
• International student scholar: For the first time, OSU welcomed an international summer scholar, Thao Tran of Vietnam, supported by Boehringer Ingelheim. Tran plans to return to OSU for graduate studies.
• Student pathways: Several students expressed interest in advanced training, including dual DVM/Ph.D., DVM/M.S. and DVM/MBA programs.

“Our goal is to continue growing the program to remain competitive with top veterinary schools,” Channappanavar said. “With increased student participation and continued success in securing funding, I am confident OSU’s SRTP will become one of the best in the nation.”

Learn more about SRTP here.