The 2008 Merck-Merial Symposium will be hosted by
Michigan State University,
in East Lansing, Michigan
July 31 - Aug 3, 2008
Merck-Merial Mission Statement
Since 1988, the Merck Company Foundation has funded research programs at
veterinary schools where students have been given an opportunity to experience
research first-hand. Given the success of these programs and Merck's commitment
to biomedical research, in 1998 Merck established the Merck MerialScholar's
Program and invited all US veterinary schools to be participants. The Program's
mission is to provide an opportunity for veterinary schools to expose students
in their first and second years of veterinary medical school to biomedical
research. By providing a supportive environment to explore and experience
research in an established laboratory along with seminars and discussion
groups on careers in science, it is hoped that the students will gain an
informed insight into a career in research. The Merck Merial Veterinary Scholar's
Program includes a national symposium where research findings are presented
and experiences shared among the year's veterinary scholars and the invited
veterinary faculty. Through this partnership of Merck, Merial and the veterinary
schools, it is hoped that the positive experience will stimulate some of
the scholars to pursue a career in research, subsequent to completing their
veterinary degrees.
