DENVER/December 4, 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 research experience, pairing students with expert mentors in a wide range of animal health disciplines. Since its inception in 2005, the program has supported more than 600 students.
“Our Veterinary Student Scholar program has been pivotal in providing promising young scientists a chance to explore veterinary research,” said Dr. Kelly Diehl, Senior Director of Science Communication 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 and Europe, highlighting the global importance of animal health research. Countries represented include Tanzania, Finland, the United States, Nepal, Italy, Nigeria, Denmark and Rwanda.
Research Topics Spotlight
Projects span a broad spectrum of animal health issues, including infectious disease in dogs, diabetes in cats, wildlife health, horse and donkey health and well-being, antibiotic resistance and cancer. Projects are slated to begin in 2026.
2025 Veterinary Student Scholars are:
- Faith Ajamu – The Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Feline Calicivirus in Domesticated Cats in Kwara and Lagos State Nigeria: Implications for Vaccination Strategies, University of Ilorin, Nigeria
- Veronica Arbona-Walsh – Developing an Artificial Intelligence Model to Diagnose Ear Diseases in Dogs, Louisiana State University
- Liana Arceri – Accuracy of the FreeStyle Libre 3 Continuous Glucose Monitoring System in Diabetic Cats, Cornell University
- Kristina Camarena – Immune Response in California Sea Lions with Urogenital Carcinoma, Oregon State University
- Lisa Carlsson – Diagnostic Value of Computed Tomography in Assessment of the Extent of Injuries in Equine Cases with Solar Penetrations, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
- Mary Durowoju – Detection and Resistance Profiling of Extended-Spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Bacteria in Horses, Southwest Nigeria, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Nigeria
- Minu Gupta – Isolation, Identification and Antimicrobial Resistance Profiling of Bacterial Pathogens in Otitis Externa in Free-roaming Dogs of Rupandehi District, Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS) Paklihawa Campus, Nepal
- Rebecca Jaramillo – Effects of Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP) on Relocation Stress and Hair Cortisol in Veterinary Student-Owned Dogs: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Investigation, Cornell University
- Janika Juusola – The Genetic Background of Achromatopsia in the Labrador Retriever: From Novel Genetic Causes to New Pathomechanisms and Therapeutic Approaches, University of Helsinki, Finland
- Denys Maniragaba – Assessing Pesticide Exposure Risks to Grey Crowned Cranes in Rugezi Marshland, University of Rwanda, Rwanda
- Ilana Mosley – Canine Chagas Disease and Secondary Bacterial Metabolites: Longitudinal Assessments and Treatment Impact, Texas A&M University
- Samson Nestory - Epidemiological Investigation of Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumor in Mpwapwa District, Dodoma Region, Tanzania, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania
- Fiyinfoluwa Ogunleye – Characterization of Vaginal Microbiota and Antibiotics Resistance Patterns in Female African Giant Rats (Cricetomys gambianus): Reproductive Health Implications and the Therapeutic Potential of Jatropha curcas Leaf Extract, Federal University of Agriculture, Nigeria
- Aliyu Rabiu – Evaluating Donkey Welfare, Population Trends, and Transboundary Disease Risks in Northern Nigeria’s International Livestock Markets, Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria
- Pier Semanchik – Evaluation of the Effects of Antimicrobials on Bioelectric Properties of the Equine Right Dorsal Colon Using Ussing Chambers, Texas A & M University
- Oluwatomisin Solesi – Epidemiology and Molecular Characterization of Gastric and Entero-hepatic Helicobacter Species in Stray and Captive Wild Cats in Nigerian Zoological Gardens, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
- Oluwaloni Tinubu – Surveillance and Genetic Characterization of Avian Influenza Viruses in Migratory Wild Birds in Nigeria and Assessment of Viral Spillover & Genetic Reassortment, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
- Marco Trovati – Evaluation of Sand Clearance in Horses and Donkeys with Naturally Acquired Colonic Sand Accumulation with a Product Containing Psyllium, University of Pisa, Italy
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, investing more than $170 million in 3,200+ critical animal health studies to date across a broad range of species. Learn more at morrisanimalfoundation.org.
Media Contact: Lindsey Washington
