Dr. Mike Cranfield Summer Research Internship 2026 (USA): Paid Zoo Veterinary Research Opportunity

The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore has officially announced applications for the Dr. Mike Cranfield Summer Research Internship 2026. The paid internship invites undergraduate upper-level students and veterinary students to work on wildlife health and conservation research with zoo veterinarians and animal care teams. The program is expected to begin around June 15, 2026 and will run for approximately ten weeks.

About the Internship

This internship is a research-focused opportunity inside an accredited Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) institution. The selected student will conduct a supervised research project related to the zoo’s animals or conservation programs.

Unlike many observational internships, this program places strong emphasis on real scientific work. The intern may prepare a research manuscript and is encouraged to submit it to a peer-reviewed scientific journal — a rare experience for undergraduate or pre-clinical veterinary students.

Alongside research, the intern will also:

• Shadow zoo veterinarians

• Assist with clinical animal care

• Observe diagnostics and treatments

• Participate in local wildlife field work

This combination of research + clinical exposure + conservation work makes the internship particularly valuable for students planning careers in veterinary medicine, wildlife biology, zoology, or conservation science.

Who Can Apply (Eligibility)

Applicants must be:

• Undergraduate upper-class students (final years), OR

• Veterinary students before starting clinical rotations

The program is especially suited for students interested in:

• Wildlife medicine

• Zoo veterinary practice

• Conservation research

• Animal health sciences

Duration

• Length: About 10 weeks

• Tentative Start Date: June 15, 2026

Stipend & Facilities

• This is a paid internship

• Hands-on veterinary and research training

• Direct mentorship from zoo veterinarians

• Scientific writing experience

Important: Housing is not provided, so selected students must arrange their own accommodation in Baltimore, Maryland.

Health & Pre-Employment Requirements

Before joining, selected interns must provide:

• Negative TB test (within the last 12 months)

• Rabies vaccination

• MMR vaccination

• Polio vaccination

• Tetanus vaccination

• Completion of pre-employment screening

These are standard safety requirements for working closely with animals.

Application Requirements

Applicants need to submit:

• Letter of intent (mention your available dates)

• CV / Resume

• College transcript

• Two reference letters

• Completed online application form

Application Deadline

Last date to apply: February 14, 2026

How to Apply

Students must apply through the official application portal:

https://marylandzoo.easyapply.co/

For questions, applicants may contact:
Danielle Lang, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACZM
Email: [email protected]

About Dr. Mike Cranfield

The internship honors Dr. Mike Cranfield, former Chief Veterinarian of the Maryland Zoo and a globally respected wildlife veterinarian. He later led the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project (now Gorilla Doctors), helping protect endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

During his career he published more than 150 scientific articles and worked on critical veterinary issues including penguin malaria, reptile diseases, and primate reproduction. After his passing in 2023, this internship was created to continue his legacy by training future wildlife veterinarians and conservation researchers.

Why This Internship Matters

Opportunities that combine wildlife research and clinical veterinary exposure are limited worldwide. This internship gives students a chance to:

• Gain practical zoo veterinary experience

• Participate in real conservation research

• Build a strong veterinary school application

• Earn research authorship

• Work inside a major U.S. zoo environment

For students aiming for veterinary school, wildlife medicine, or conservation careers, this can become one of the most impactful experiences on their academic profile.

Students interested in animal health and conservation should prepare their documents early, as the program selects only a small number of interns each year.

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