Winter/Spring 2012 Aesculapian Magazine - University of Georgia ...

Sabrina McGraw CVM’s first graduate of the combined DVM/PhD program
Sabrina McGraw is the first graduate
of the College of Veterinary
Medicine’s Veterinary Medical Scientist
Training Program, which allows
students to combine a DVM with a
PhD. McGraw graduated in August 2011
with a DVM and PhD in pathology; she
is completing her pathology residency
at the University of California, Davis.
How did you learn about our
DVM/PhD program
While working on my master’s in
physiology at UGA, I mentioned my
interest in conducting a PhD and DVM
concurrently to Dr. Duncan Ferguson,
who used to be in the physiology
department. Dr. Ferguson told me they
were developing the dual-degree program
— it seemed perfect, and has been.
Did you enter the DVM/
PhD program immediately
upon completion of your
undergraduate degree
No, I worked briefly for a racing crime
lab (thoroughbred and greyhound drug
testing) in Florida before beginning my
master’s in physiology at UGA.
What is your research focus
I am investigating the potential role of host
genetics in susceptibility and resistance
to hemorrhagic disease (HD) in whitetailed
deer in Georgia. This project is
characterizing Georgia deer to determine
population structure, comparing
contemporary deer with deer sampled
in Wisconsin (which was a source for
reintroductions from a susceptible area),
and examining overall genetic diversity at
nuclear neutral markers, mitochondrial
markers and major histocompatibility
genes.
What was the biggest challenge
you faced while at UGA
My biggest challenges were writing articles
and preparing grant proposals while trying
to complete the DVM curriculum, and
learning to be independent in research.
My project has been challenging but very
rewarding and interesting, especially
incorporating the wide variety of
analytical and statistical software.
What are some aspects of the
DVM/PhD program that will
benefit you the most during your
residency at UC Davis
Prioritizing my time, knowing when to ask
for help, and self-discipline — all of which
are still a work in progress! I have been
lucky to complete coursework here as a
PhD student that will be invaluable to me
as a pathology resident, and I have been
able to continue being active in rounds
and seminars and even case work through
my PhD that I would not have been able to
be a part of, were I not here at the CVM.
What do you plan to do after
you complete your residency at
UC Davis
I am very interested in working as a
researcher in infectious diseases with the
U.S. Army before beginning a career in
government or academia. I would work
alongside researchers providing pathology
service and research assistance or as a
primary researcher.
In the long-term, I want to work at the
nexus of public, wildlife and domestic
animal health, preferably with the
government or a non-governmental
agency. My greatest interest is in affecting
change in the management of disease
internationally, potentially through
work in epizootic/epidemic response,
management of animal trafficking, and
effective surveillance.
Graduate Studies
Earn your:
• MS and PhD in
Veterinary and
Biomedical Sciences
• DVM-MPH
• DVM-PhD
• Master’s in Avian
Medicine or Food
Animal Health and
Management
www.vet.uga.edu/research/students/
Aesculapian Winter/Spring 2012 21