DENVER/December 10, 2025 – Morris Animal Foundation announced funding for four new canine health studies to help improve diagnosis, treatment and prevention of serious diseases affecting dogs.
“These studies address urgent health challenges facing dogs today,” said Dr. Kelly Diehl, Senior Director of Science Communication at Morris Animal Foundation. “Each project fills a critical knowledge gap and has the potential to meaningfully improve care.”
Three award types received funding:
- Established Investigator: Awarded to experienced researchers with a strong publication record advancing animal health.
- First Award: Supports early career investigators establishing independent research careers.
- Fellowship Training: Provides salary support and mentorship to develop the next generation of veterinary researchers.
Grant recipients and their topics are:
- Dr. An Vanhaesebrouck, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom – Researchers will investigate whether myasthenia gravis, a treatable autoimmune disease, is an underdiagnosed cause of canine megaesophagus. Megaesophagus is a condition where the esophagus loses its ability to contract and move food to the stomach, causing dogs to regurgitate food and risk aspiration pneumonia. The team will also work to improve diagnostic tools and identify new treatment targets.
- Dr. Christopher Contag, Michigan State University – Researchers will develop engineered bacteria called quasiorganelles designed to enter cancer cells and deliver therapeutic proteins from the inside. This approach aims to correct faulty cellular signals that allow tumors to grow and spread. The study focuses on histiocytic sarcoma, an aggressive and often fatal cancer in dogs with limited treatment options.
- Dr. Marietta Ravesloot-Chavez, University of California, Davis — This Fellowship Training award will support development of monoclonal antibodies designed to target and destroy mast cell tumors, with the goal of providing a precise therapy that spares healthy tissue and improves patient outcomes. This award is also designated as a named fellowship recognizing the contributions of Dr. Rodney Page and the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study Hero Dogs. This special recognition is reserved for projects advancing canine cancer research.
- Dr. Ahmed H. Lugelo, Global Animal Health Tanzania – This team will integrate an oral rabies vaccine with facial recognition technology to improve vaccination tracking and increase access for dogs in remote areas. Rabies remains a major global health threat and continues to kill dogs and people, especially in areas with limited access to veterinary care and reliable vaccine delivery systems. By improving how dogs are identified and tracked, this project aims to strengthen vaccination programs, reduce transmission, and protect both animal and human health.
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 more than $170 million in 3,200+ critical animal health studies across species. Learn more at morrisanimalfoundation.org.
Media Contact: Lindsey Washington
