What's New?

About

Services

Educational
Materials

Upcoming
Events

Awards

Links

Archive

Membership



A Newsletter Exploring Science
& Biomedical Research Issues
For School Educators
Volume 1, Issue 18, Winter 2008

BioFocus Logo

page one       page two


Careers in Biomedical Research
Spotlighting Dr. David M. Svinarich

Continued from page 1...

Climbing ...and make decisions regarding the general direction of the research. In all cases, researchers may find work in academic institutions (Colleges and Universities), medicine (hospitals and clinical research centers) or industry (pharmaceutical and bio-technology companies, etc.).

In my case, I obtained a Bachelor's of Science degree from the University of Michigan in Microbiology, a Master's degree in Biology from Wayne State University and a Doctorate in Immunology and Microbiology from Wayne State's Medical School. After this, I did post-doctoral work, often called a "postdoc", where I specialized in human genetics. In all, it took almost 12 years of schooling at the University level before I began work as an Assistant Professor. Later, I moved to a large teaching hospital where I direct all the research activities for the hospital. This work is fun because I still get to do my own research and mentor students in science and contribute to their education. Most importantly, I know that the work I do will help to further our understanding of medicine and someday help people who are sick.

Why are Animals Used in Biomedical Research?
Animals are used in a variety of studies because they may have a disease that is similar to a particular disease in humans or they may share anatomic or physiologic similarities with humans that make them an appropriate model for research. Animals may also be used initially because the outcome of a treatment may be unknown or even potentially dangerous to humans. It is important to remember that animals are only used in research when there are no suitable alternatives and that the animals are treated in the most compassionate and humane manner possible. Lastly, it is important to realize that many of the medications and procedures developed for humans using animal models are also used to help treat diseases in animals.

In conclusion, I hope you have a better understanding of what biomedical research is all about and why people become biomedical scientists. I also hope you have gained an appreciation of how and why animals are used in medical research. Becoming a biomedical research scientist will allow you to better understand how diseases occur and how to cure them in both people and animals.

Informative Websites
Careers in Biomedical Research
This is an excellent website from the American Physiological Society on a variety of biomedical jobs:
http://www.the-aps.org/education/k-12misc/careers.htm

Additional Sites:
http://www.training.nih.gov/student/
http://www.aalas.org/pdf/08-00001.pdf
http://www.scripps.edu/community/hsstudent.html
http://www.wistar.org/education_training/high_school.html

FAST FACTS
The following are just some of the important roles animals have played in biomedical research.

Armadillos
Leprosy

Cats
Cataract Surgery, Deafness, Epilepsy, Feline Leukemia, Glaucoma, Lupus

Chinchillas
Cholera Vaccine, Sleep Research

Dogs
Aging, Artificial Hips & Joints, Behavioral Studies, Organ Transplants

Flies
Genetic Research

Frogs
Antibiotics

Guinea Pigs
Diptheria Vaccine, Immune Systems

Hamsters
Diabetes, Lyme Disease

Marine Sponges
Human Immune System

Mice
Addictive Drugs, Cancer Treatments, Genetic Models, Organ Transplants, Whooping Cough Vaccine

Monkfish
Hormone Research, Insulin for Diabetes

Pigs
Atherosclerosis, Heart Transplants, Motion Sickness Patches, Plastic Surgery, Stress Studies

Primates
AIDS, Alzheimer's Disease, Gum Disease, In Vitro Fertilization, Polio Vaccine, rH Factor

Rabbits
Emphysema, Eye & Ear Infections, Rabies Vaccine, Skin Disorders

Salamanders
Heart Attack Research

Sheep
Anthrax Vaccine, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Joint Reconstruction, Pregnancy Research

Woodchucks
Hepatitis B

page one       page two

You may download a PDF format of the actual newsletter.

 
 
 

BioFocus
Biofocus is published by the Michigan Society for Medical Research. Please send your questions, comments, and suggestions to:

MISMR
P.O. Box 3237
Ann Arbor, MI 48106-3237
Voice: (734) 763-8029
Fax: (734) 930-1568
Email: MISMR@umich.edu

MISMR members strongly support humane animal study in research. We hope that likeminded citizens will join us in working for rational public policy that assures the continued appropriate use of animals in the course of good science.