University of Wisconsin hopes to lure specialists back to school

Madison, Wis.

-- The University of Wisconsin-Madison's School of Veterinary Medicine is starting a new campaign to bring former students back to campus - to conduct research.

Dr. Lauren Trepanier, a small-animal internal medicine specialist, will lead the effort as the school's new director of clinical scientist training, trying to defeat "brain drain" by encouraging graduates to stick around campus or return to perform research that could lead to new advances in animal health care.

Without researchers, things will remain status quo, according to the school. Many students are hesitant to accept research positions after years already spent on campus for about half the salary they could make in a private practice.

The school is seeking a grant from the National Institutes of Health to support its campaign.