DENVER/July 9, 2025 – Morris Animal Foundation has awarded 28 exceptional veterinary students from around the globe with its 2025 Veterinary Student Scholar grants. This prestigious program provides up to $5,500 in funding for mentor-guided research, inspiring students to pursue careers in animal health science and veterinary medicine.
Program Overview
The Veterinary Student Scholar program is open to students in good standing at accredited veterinary schools. It offers hands-on experience in research, pairing students with expert mentors in a wide range of animal health disciplines. Since its inception in 2005, the program has supported over 600 students.
“Our Veterinary Student Scholar program has been pivotal in providing promising young scientists a chance to explore veterinary research,” said Dr. Lara Croft, Veterinary Scientist at Morris Animal Foundation. “We are thrilled to support these students from veterinary schools worldwide to help foster the next generation of animal health researchers.”
Global Reach of Scholars
This year’s scholars represent veterinary programs in North America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia, highlighting the global importance of animal health research. Countries represented include Nigeria, Uganda, the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Ireland, Switzerland, Australia, the Netherlands, Rwanda, and Hong Kong.
Research Topics Spotlight
Projects span a broad spectrum of animal health issues including viral infections in cats and dogs, antibiotic resistance, wildlife disease diagnostics, equine health research, and genetic and environmental risk factors affecting both domestic and wild species.
2025 Veterinary Student Scholars are:
- Karimot Babalola – Prevalence and Oncogenic Potential of Feline Leukemia Virus in Domestic Cats in Lagos and Kwara States of Nigeria, University of Ilorin, Nigeria
- Matthew Bermudez – Big Data for Small Animals: Using a Large National Medical Records Database to Understand Current Treatments for Bacterial Pneumonia in Dogs, University of Minnesota
- Isa Bol – Unraveling the Genetic Background of Nostril Stenosis in French Bulldogs, Utrecht University, Netherlands
- Elizabeth Bourke – Serum Biochemistry as a Prognostic Indicator in Wombats with Sarcoptic Mange, The University of Sydney, Australia
- Sarah Fiedler – Risk Factors, Prevalence, and Comparison of Methods for Diagnosing Toxoplasma Gondii in Various Wildlife Species of the Southeastern USA, The University of Tennessee
- Amanda Grether – Comparative Histopathological Analysis of Reproductive Tracts in Five Xenarthran Species, Michigan State University
- Jennifer Hesser – Identification of Environmental and Genetic Risk Factors for Equine Metabolic Syndrome, University of Arizona
- Nahimah Idis – Molecular Characterization of Staphylococcus Aureus in Horses in Nigeria: Methicillin- and Multidrug-Resistance Profile, University of Ilorin, Nigeria
- Madison Kasbaum – Characterizing Physical Examination, Clinical Pathology, and Pathogen Presence in Wild Spotted Turtles (Clemmys guttata) of Northern Illinois, University of Illinois
- Zozianne Hoareau-Kakooza – Sero-Prevalence and Risk Factors of Toxoplasmosis in Domestic Cats Brought to Small Animal Clinics in Kampala City, Makerere University, Uganda
- Jungyoon Lee – A Systematic Review of Measurements Properties of Acute Pain Scoring Instruments in Cats and Dogs, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Kylee Long – Comparison of Dual Antithrombotic Therapy with Clopidogrel/Apixaban and Clopidogrel/Rivaroxaban on Platelet Function in Healthy Cats, North Carolina State University
- Amelia Martens – Evaluation of Virus-Specific T Cell Response to FIPV Infection in Cats, Oklahoma State University
- Heather McDavid – Validating Small Molecule Probe for the Rapid Diagnosis of Splenic Hemangiosarcoma from Hemorrhagic Effusions, University of Illinois
- Francisco J. Benítez Merle – Optimization of Non-Invasive Methods for Canine Saliva Collection, Universidad Ana G. Méndez, Puerto Rico
- Tyler Michalka – Molecular and Serological Surveillance of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline Leukemia Virus (Felv) in Some Feral and Shelter Cats on Long Island, NY, Long Island University College of Veterinary Medicine
- Lauren Roberts – RNA Sequencing of Canine Tumors to Detect and Determine the Prevalence of Fusion Genes, University of Saskatchewan, Canada
- Israel Rotimi – Genomic Analysis of Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria in Dogs Infected with Canine Parvovirus in Lagos and Oyo States, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
- Angela Rudin – Characterizing Subtypes in Canine Histiocytic Sarcoma Using Spatially Defined Transcriptomics, University of Zurich, Switzerland
- Fabiola Ruiz Rosario – In Vitro Evaluation of Alpha2EQ as a Treatment for Equine Osteoarthritis, North Carolina State University
- Sean Spindel – Gastrointestinal Health in Free-Ranging African Lions (Panthera Leo): Investigating the Effects of Enteric Parasite Infection on Fecal Acute Phase Protein Concentrations, Oklahoma State University
- Reagan Stephens – Systematic Evaluation of Equine Nebulizer Drug Delivery Via In Vitro Modeling, Texas A&M University
- Clementine Uwiringiyimana – Evaluating Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Waste Disposal in Kigali City and Their Impact on Wildlife Conservation in the Nyabarongo River Ecosystem, University of Rwanda, Rwanda
- Benjamin Veenstra – Characterizing the Neuropathology of Feline Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome to Establish a Brain Atlas of Geriatric Felines, University of Wisconsin
- Andrea Viani-Duggan – Evaluating the Network Pharmacology of Cannabidiol (CBD) to Assess its Safety in Domestic Dogs, University College Dublin, Ireland
- Annie Wei – Correlating Clinical Narrative with Pathogen Genotype and Phenotype in a Dog with Recurrent Escherichia coli Urinary Tract Infections, The University of Sydney, Australia
- Molly Welton – The Impacts of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation on Viral Shedding Dynamics and Host Inflammatory Response in Canine Parvovirus-infected Dogs, The Ohio State University
- Evie Yazbec – Pharmacokinetics of Two Doses of Ceftiofur Crystalline Free Acid in Mexican Axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum), The University of Tennessee
About Morris Animal Foundation
Morris Animal Foundation's mission is to bridge science and resources to advance the health of animals. Founded in 1948 and headquartered in Denver, it is one of the largest nonprofit animal health research organizations in the world, funding nearly $170 million in more than 3,100 critical animal health studies to date across a broad range of species. Learn more at morrisanimalfoundation.org.
Media Contact: Lindsey Washington
