Merck fellowship begins 1st year

As part of a growing relationship between the University and Merck Sharp and Dohme, the first recipient of a postdoctoral fellowship grant in the University's Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine has begun his first year. "[This program] is a good opportunity to build a strong tie with industry and academics," said Hilton Klein, Merck's director of laboratory animal resources. The University's laboratory animal medicine program, started in 1987, is a three-year residency program. A one-month rotation at the West Point, Pa., branch of Merck is also a part of the program. Graduates receive a master's degree, and, upon completion, are prepared for the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine board certification examination. "The three-year program combines clinical, didactic, and research experience," Klein said. "[Recipients] develop expertise and knowledge for the certification exam." "It is a blend of academic, clinical, and administrative learning," said Harry Rozmiarek, director of the office of University Laboratory Animal Resources and director of the laboratory animal medicine training program. Merck's department of laboratory animal resources has never worked with a university before. Members of the department said they were excited about the liason. "[This program] is the first of its kind in laboratory animal medicine for Merck," Klein said. "This is a good opportunity for us and we're very excited about it." Jeffrey Linn, who will coordinate the program for the University, had nothing but praise for the four-year-old, newly sponsored program. "I think it's going very well," Linn said. Laurence Handt, the first resident to be a recipient of the grant, is a 1987 graduate of Michigan State University.

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