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Misconception shapes everything unjust about the world, whether deep or shallow. It poses a threat to finding truth and blocks you from a life that could be glorious, hidden behind the veil of a preconceived notion.
One would be remiss to believe that the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) at Texas A&M University is only proactive in discovering solutions for the challenges animals face — though that, too, is important work. Truth is, the research at the VMBS is translational, meaning that in addition to addressing animal issues, research conducted there also applies to human and environmental issues. Miss this fact and you just might miss the experience of studying at the 10th-best veterinary school in the world.
As a student, you can expect nothing less from an institution enriched by more than 100 years of history. Faculty experts have been bulldozing through the challenges facing the world to lead in veterinary and medical research since 1916, and their work continues to be impactful today. Just last year, researchers at VMBS secured a US$3.3 million grant to study the effectiveness of a new drug in helping women combat and, ultimately, survive metastatic breast cancer.
Inspired to get a kickstart in the field with the VMBS? Learn what students have to say below:
VMBS has contributed to over 100 years of research discovery. Source: Texas A&M University
A journey from birth
Sophia Marchio’s drive to improve the lives of others began with her family in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil. “They always taught me the importance of differentiating myself in the field and becoming the best version of myself, and this led me to apply for the PhD program at Texas A&M,” she says.
It was almost a given — growing up with parents who practiced veterinary medicine gave her the exposure others didn’t have. She then undertook an externship, which allowed her to collect a horse embryo and, thus, found her niche — equine reproduction.
“Texas A&M is historically known for being one of the best places for horses,” Marchio says. Another huge draw to the university was the professor who would become her mentor, Dr. Yatta Boakari, an animal reproduction specialist, assistant professor, and clinician. “She recognises my strengths and makes sure to communicate them, and more importantly, she teaches me from my mistakes,” Marchio says.
And so the journey commences. Marchio enrolled as a PhD student in the Biomedical Sciences (BIMS) Graduate Programme, which builds a foundational body of knowledge and skills that prepares candidates to excel in a diverse array of biomedical research careers. Applicants who aren’t veterinarians are welcome to apply as well as, of course, those who are.
BIMS students choose one of four curricular training tracks. They complete six credit hours of core courses, one required course in their chosen track, and their electives and research. Marchio’s favourite was the Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology (VTPP) course conducted by Dr. Dana Gaddy. “Her classes stimulate us to develop critical thinking,” she says.
“It is a very dynamic and immersive class in which we must present articles weekly.”
Hands-on learning is the heart of every track. Marchio developed equine endometrial organoids at an equine reproduction lab at the University of California, Davis, as part of a month-long research project funded by Texas A&M. “It stimulates the students to socially engage, not only providing events but also providing funding opportunities to attend conferences,” says Marchio.
Researchers at the VMBS challenge the status quo to find creative solutions to global issues. Source: Texas A&M University
From practice to a PhD
Before Floris Droees started veterinary school, he found himself relating to the challenges faced by patients with gastrointestinal diseases. After graduating from Utrecht University in his home country, the Netherlands, and working as a small animal veterinarian — he decided to reconnect with the world-leading Gastrointestinal Laboratory at Texas A&M, which he’d visited once before to complete a research project as a Utrecht student.
“What followed was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to pursue a PhD with them,” Droees says. “The combination of a service and research lab with a lot of graduate students all doing research in different yet closely related fields provided a unique chance to not just learn from leaders in this field, yet also from peers with different backgrounds, research focuses, and experiences.”
The diversity in research experiences has given Droees the building blocks to succeed post-graduation. When he began his PhD in 2019, his programme focused on Diagnostics and Therapeutics — looking to diagnose GI diseases earlier and enhance patient treatment for better support. He did an externship in the Netherlands at the University of Groningen, adopting new research techniques while working with an expert in hemostasis in humans with liver disease. It was a beneficial experience for Droees, in particular, whose thesis topic revolves around the changes in blood clot formation in dogs with liver disease.
“I feel like I’ve learned different tools and skills and have gotten different experiences, which I need later in science and in future positions,” he says. “Some of those have been ‘hard’ research skills, such as in the lab or using statistical program, while other are more ‘soft’ skills, including communication of research, writing proposals, or organisational skills.”
Graduation is on the horizon for Droees this year. He plans to further his clinical training as a veterinarian, working to apply his knowledge to enable more accurate diagnosis and effective treatment management for small animals with gastrointestinal diseases.
Check out the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences at Texas A&M today.
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