Pathobiology Education & Training

    The faculty of the Department of Pathobiology are fully immersed in the educational mission of Penn Vet at all levels. We offer residency training in anatomic pathology and laboratory animal medicine.

    Anatomic Pathology

    Penn Vet offers two tracks for anatomic pathology training with the goal of board certification by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP): The traditional three-year residency training program and the combined PhD-residency training program in partnership with the NIH Comparative Biomedical Scientist Training Program.

    Trainees in the three-year residency program receive advanced instruction with an emphasis on gross and microscopic pathology of case material, including autopsies on animals submitted from the veterinary hospitals (Philadelphia and New Bolton Center), laboratory animals from University research facilities, and surgical pathology specimens from our hospital and referring veterinary practitioners.

    Learn more about the three-year residency program.

    Trainees in the NIH Comparative Biomedical Scientist Training Program (CBSTP) spend their first three years of their program at the University of Pennsylvania. During this time, trainees receive advanced instruction with an emphasis on gross and microscopic pathology of case material. During the second and third year, trainees will be eligible to sit for phases I and II of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP) certifying exam.

    Learn more about the Combined Residency Training Program and PhD

    If you are interested in learning more about anatomic pathology, please visit the American College of Veterinary Pathologists website.

    laboratory slide

    Comparative Medicine

    Since 2006, our team has maintained a three-year residency training program in Laboratory Animal Medicine. This training program meets all the criteria for recognition by the AVMA specialty organization, the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM).  A total of two residents per year are accepted into our very competitive program. Additional information about our program is available at the ACLAM ASLAP LAM Training Program website. Our program participants in the Veterinary Internship and Residency Match Program (VIRMP).

    For more information please email Blythe Philips, VMD.

    Faculty from our group teach veterinary students about research animal biology and diseases, career pathways related to comparative medicine, and regulations/ethics pertaining to the use of animals in research. While these topics are part of the core curriculum, there are also opportunities for students to dive deeper in electives, fellowships, and clinical rotations.

    Summer fellowships at Penn: We offer summer fellowships to veterinary students after their second year of vet school who want to learn about laboratory animal medicine and research. Calls for applications typically go out to the student body in early winter.

    • Clinical rotations: We offer 2- and 3- week veterinary student clinical rotations for students both from within Penn and from other veterinary schools. Rotations are generally scheduled for the fall semester.
    • Work-study: We also offer work-study opportunities for Penn pre-veterinary students. 

    We welcome queries about fellowships, work-study opportunities, residency training, or short rotation opportunities for veterinary students from Penn or other veterinary schools. Contact James Marx, DVM, PhD, with any questions. (veterinary student opportunities).

    • Lab Animal elective: This is a three-week, eight session course going into more detail on the care and medical procedures commonly done in biomedical research. Please contact Emily Miedel, VMD for more details.
    • NJAALAS Lab Animal Scholarship: This scholarship is to be awarded to New Jersey residents attending a New Jersey, New York, or Pennsylvania institution and pursuing the field of lab animal science. Learn more about the NJAALAS Scholarhip
    • J.J. Noonan Scholarship: This scholarship is presented to students from schools in the Delaware Valley to support students in furthering their education in the field of laboratory animal science. Learn more about the J.J. Noonan Scholarship

    Clinical Microbiology

    This residency training program will consist of two full years of rotations through bacteriology, virology, serology and parasitology sections on both the Philadelphia and Kennett Square, Pennsylvania campuses. A diverse and challenging diagnostic caseload, along with structured rounds, study time and teaching opportunities, will qualify the candidate to sit the American College of Veterinary Microbiologist (ACVM) board exam.

    Application Requirements

    A VMD/DVM or Equivalent degree is required for application. Applications should include a CV, letter of intent and an unofficial copy veterinary school transcripts. To apply, please send application materials to EJ Hunter before November 1 each year. For questions or more information, please contact Stephen Cole, VMD or Eman Anis, PhD. Review of applications will begin immediately. Applications will be received until an excellent candidate has been identified.

    • Training by two board-certified microbiologists (Bacteriology/Mycology, Virology, Immunology) and faculty from other diagnostic and infectious disease specialties.
    • Diverse case load from two veterinary teaching hospitals, PA Wildlife Futures Program, PADLS-New Bolton Center, ULAR, Philadelphia Zoo, and veterinary hospitals nationwide.
    • Research includes two expected peer-reviewed publications, with ample time and resources provided.
    • Funding from the PennVet Institute for Infectious and Zoonotic Disease (IIZD); active participation in Institute activities is expected.
    • Professional development includes attendance at the AAVLD meeting both years (expenses covered) and teaching in the VMD curriculum.
    • Evaluations occur biannually, with a mock board exam in year two.
    • Final six months tailored by the resident with committee approval for personalized training.
    • Transportation between campuses requires access to a car.