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Graduate Studies

Graduate Studies in Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences

An interdisciplinary approach to research offered within a single, multidisciplinary graduate program, the M.S. and Ph.D. curricula prepare students to be scholars and researchers who will advance veterinary and biomedical knowledge to benefit animal and human health.

Student wearing rubber gloves handling a vial

About the program

An integral part of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine (VMCVM) and the Virginia Tech Graduate School, the Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences (BMVS) graduate program was initiated in 1986. In contrast to many departments and colleges across campus, a single, multidisciplinary graduate program at VMCVM is recognized by the Graduate School as a graduate department.

The goal of the BMVS program is to train students to be creative and sophisticated research scientists in fields associated with biomedical research. The program's association with VMCVM allows students the unique opportunity to explore both basic research, advanced pre-clinical animal model studies, natural clinical disease in animals, and translational research impacting both veterinary and human patients and populations.

The BMVS graduate program encourages collaborative, multidisciplinary research to achieve optimal health outcomes for people, animals, and the environment. To that end, the program emphasizes acquisition of a foundation of knowledge, research skills, and wet or dry laboratory experience essential to implementing independent research projects and formulating experimental and observational approaches that solve contemporary and anticipated problems in the biomedical and health sciences.

A basic philosophy of graduate education in Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences is flexibility. Programs of study — courses, laboratory and field research, clinical experiences, and teaching opportunities — are tailored to meet the individual student's needs, depending on academic background, professional experience, and career goals. The college prides itself on its high quality of faculty mentoring, advising, and support services.

Annual Research Symposium

  • General Item
    2025 Research Symposium

    Our 34th Annual Research Symposium will be held on May 9, 2025, with events from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Inn at Virginia Tech. This year's theme is Research Without Boundaries. In a time when science and expertise are increasingly questioned, “Research Without Boundaries” reaffirms our dedication to open, rigorous, and inclusive discovery. It underscores our belief that addressing today’s most pressing challenges requires not only scientific excellence, but also collaboration that reaches across disciplines, cultures, and geographies.

Latest News

  • Article Item
    A collage of photos of Greyson Moore and their pet cat
    VMCVM Student Spotlight: Greyson Moore , article

    Meet Greyson Moore, a Class of 2028, PhD/DVM student in the Public/Corporate track. He’s passionate about infectious disease research and the broader role of veterinary medicine in public health. Greyson values the diverse support system at VMCVM and enjoys winding down with a good book and tea. He shares his home with O’Malley, the leash-loving cat, and Cinnamon Bun, a grape-obsessed rabbit.

    Date: Jul 01, 2025 -
  • Article Item
    A collage of photos during the Research Symposium at the Virginia Tech Inn. Photo by Andrew Mann for Virginia Tech.
    From lab coats to life paths, a day of career discovery , article

    The day after showcasing groundbreaking research, Virginia Tech's veterinary graduate students swapped microscopes for mentors at their first-ever Professional Development Day. Alumni who started in the same program shared wildly different career journeys — from Google to NIH to specialty practice — while teaching essential skills academic training doesn't cover: personal branding, networking, and translating scientific precision into career resilience.

    Date: Jun 04, 2025 -
  • Article Item
    A collage of photos during the Research Symposium at the Virginia Tech Inn. Photo by Andrew Mann for Virginia Tech.
    Veterinary college's 2025 research symposium highlights science that serves , article

    The veterinary college showcased 70-plus research projects that go far beyond the lab, helping communities, animals, and the people who care for them.

    Date: Jun 04, 2025 -
  • Article Item
    Stefanie Guevara (at left) and Maria Francisca Valdes (at right) working the the laboratory.
    Exchange program opens doors for Chilean student veterinary researchers , article

    Two veterinary students from Chile’s Universidad Austral participated in a three-month exchange at Virginia Tech, strengthening international collaboration and advancing studies in canine infections and cancer.

    Date: Apr 08, 2025 -