Our Disease Investigations team offer unfunded student externships for self-motivated, energetic, third and fourth year veterinary students. We run a high volume diagnostic service with a caseload of approximately 1,800 necropsies, 360 surgical biopsies, and 700 cytologies per year. Externships offer an opportunity for students to gain exposure to the study of diseases of wildlife utilizing material from the collections of the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, as well as our field conservation programs.
Students will spend the majority of their time performing necropsies and developing gross descriptive skills. There are also opportunities for study of histologic sections, examination of clinical laboratory specimens (including cytology), and research projects. Students will participate in daily, weekly, and monthly pathology rounds in collaboration with area pathologists, animal care staff, and clinical veterinarians.
Disease Investigations is a full service diagnostic lab run by 5 board certified pathologist, an anatomic pathology resident from UC Davis, a pathology fellow, 4 pathology technicians, and in-house histology and molecular diagnostic labs.
Externships are for a minimum of three weeks. Students are expected to participate in departmental activities during standard work hours, Monday through Saturday, and are encouraged to utilize facilities during extended hours when staff is present. To qualify, interested students should have completed a rotation in pathology (or similar experience) and be familiar with a standard necropsy protocols. Students are expected to provide rubber boots and appropriate clothing (e.g., coveralls and/or scrubs). A negative tuberculin test within one year prior to arrival is required and vaccination against rabies is recommended.