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.
Traditional Three-year Residency 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...
Combined Residency Training Program and PhD (NIH CBSTP)
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 Animal Medicine
Training of Veterinary Students: Faculty and staff from our group teach veterinary students about laboratory animal biology, medicine, and diseases by providing the following didactic courses in the Veterinary School (VPTH 615, VPTH 641, VPTH 789).
Additional opportunities for veterinary students include:
- Summer interships: We offer summer internships to first and second year veterinary students who want to learn about laboratory animals and their care. The application deadline is approximately end of January.
- Externships/Preceptorships: The University of Missouri Comparative Medicine Program (CMP) offers externships ranging from two to twelve weeks. Activities vary with the goals of the extern, and combine clinical laboratory medicine activities and research. Additional information about these programs can be found on the ASLAP web page. Contact Dr. Craig Franklin at the University of Missouri (franklinc@missouri.edu).
- Work-study: We also offer work-study opportunities for Penn pre-veterinary students. Please contact Dr. James Marx or Dr. Raimon Duran-Struuck for questions about any of these opportunities.
- 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…
Training of Veterinary Residents: Beginning in the summer of 2006, our academic role expanded with the initiation of a three-year residency training program in laboratory animal medicine within the Department of Pathobiology. 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.
For more information please contact Dr. Raimon Duran-Struuck and visit:
We welcome queries about residency training or short rotation opportunities for veterinary students from Penn or other veterinary schools contact Dr. Jim Marx (veterinary student opportunities) or Dr. Raimon Duran-Struuck (for residency queries).