The USDA-ARS Avian Disease & Oncology Laboratory is part of the in-house research branch of USDA. Our laboratory focuses on avian tumor viruses. The student will experience poultry research within a laboratory setting. This may include time in necropsy identifying lesions and collecting samples, as well as time in the laboratory performing techniques such as virus isolation/cell culture, DNA/RNA isolation, PCR, real-time PCR, sequencing, pyrosequencing, flow cytometry, fluorescent microscopy, and immunohistochemistry.
Our scientific staff consists of two veterinary pathologists, two geneticists, two immunologists and one microbiologist. We maintain 35 inbred and outbred lines of chickens with special characteristics including resistance or susceptibility to tumor induction by Marek's disease or lymphoid leukosis.
Responsibilities of students are dependent on the length of the externship and research experience of the student. Our goal is for students to be comfortable and to experience first hand what veterinary research is like. Specific responsibilities will be arranged in advance between the student and scientist.
Students can apply for the AAAP Eskelund Preceptorship which provides a stipend towards living and traveling expenses to attend poultry medicine-related externships.