Two equine researchers were presented with the 2012 EQUUS Foundation Research Fellows for their work to advance veterinary knowledge during the American Association of Equine Practitioners' 58th Annual Convention. Texas A&M University master of science candidate Michelle C. Coleman, DVM, DACVIM, and University of Kentucky Gluck Equine Research Center doctoral candidate Allen E. Page, DVM, each received a $5,000 fellow to support their endeavors in equine research during the Frank J. Milne State-of-the-Art Lecture. Photo: Left to Right: Dr. Richard Mitchell, EQUUS Foundation Board member, Dr. Allen E. Page, Dr. Wayne McIlwraith, AAEP Foundation Chairman, Dr. Michelle C. Coleman, and Dr. John Mitchell, 2012 AAEP President.
"Ensuring the well-being of horses is our core mission. We applaud the commitment, hard work, and contributions of equine researchers. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we are able to sponsor this important work," said Lynn Coakley, EQUUS Foundation President.
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Michelle C. Coleman, DVM, DACVIM
Texas A&M University
Dr. Coleman is working toward a graduate degree in biomedical sciences with an emphasis on epidemiology. She is the study coordinator for the AAEP Foundation's Case-Control Study of Pasture- and Endocrinopathy-Associated Laminitis in horses, currently underway at Texas A&M University.
The short-term objective of the study is to identify risk factors for the development of incident cases of laminitis among horse that naturally develop pasture-or endocrinopathy-associated laminitis. It is hoped that results of this project will guide the long-term objective of developing strategies for control and prevention of this form of the disease.
Dr. Coleman received a bachelor's of science degree in 2003 from the University of Rochester (NY) and her veterinary degree in 2007 from the University of Georgia.
Allen E. Page, DVM
University of Kentucky
Gluck Equine Research Center
Dr. Page's doctoral research is focused on the immunological response of horses to Lawsonia intracellularis; in particular, he is investigating why only a small proportion of L. intracellularis-exposed weanlings develop clinical signs of equine proliferative enteropathy (EPE) while the vast majority fails to show any ill effects of exposure. One of the most pressing issues he is investigating with respects to L. intracellularis and EPE concerns how the bacterium is transmitted and where the reservoir exists on a farm. EPE is a disease of foals caused by the obligate intracellular organism L. intracellularis. This emerging disease causes fever, lethargy, peripheral oedema, diarrhea, colic and weight loss.
Dr. Page received his bachelor's degree in 2004 and his veterinary degree in 2008 from the University of California, Davis. He also is a Morris Animal Foundation/Pfizer Animal Health Fellow.
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The EQUUS Foundation Research Fellow is an AAEP member who has graduated from an AVMA-accredited school/college of veterinary medicine and plans to specialize in equine research. The applicant should be a current doctoral student or resident, or have completed their residency or doctorate within two years. The recipients will receive a $5,000 scholarship for conducting equine research plus a $500 stipend to assist with travel to the AAEP Convention. The grant may be used in collaboration with other funding. The EQUUS Foundation Research Fellows program emphasizes the importance of assisting equine researchers in their exploration of horse health care topics.
The deadline to apply for an EQUUS Foundation Research Fellow is August 1. For additional information, please visit the EQUUS Foundation website at http://www.equusfoundation.org/research-fellows.php.