Each individual was awarded £1,000 for their research projects, with the opportunity for one of them to win a further £1,000 and a runner up to win £500 at the MSD Animal Health Research Bursary Awards Day in 2022.
Veterinary nurse, Phillippa Pritchard of the Liphook Equine Hospital, has been awarded a bursary for her survey of horse owners exploring their perceptions of the role of equine veterinary nurses (EVNs). The survey will ask owners about their previous experience with EVNs and their openness to having EVNs visit their horse for various procedures, under the direction of a veterinary surgeon.
Four awards went to veterinary students from The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh, including:
- William Dabri for his research project on the detection of avian influenza virus strains in high-density wild waterfowl regions around Scotland using RT-qPCR of sediment samples
- Ruowen Liu, for her exploration of canine pelvis morphology and identification of causal genomic regions from genome-wide association studies
- Bonnie Yang for her research into a new platform for the development of strategies to combat commercially important livestock pathogens via programmed in vitro production of pig macrophages
- Euan Woodside for his project on equivalence trial testing for progesterone levels in bovine milk samples
- Maxim Bembinov, from the Royal Veterinary College, for his research project on improving objectivity of Doppler ultrasound in tendinopathy and desmopathy
Annabelle Mohring, veterinary advisor at MSD Animal Health comments: “We have been hugely encouraged by the enthusiasm for research that is shown in the number of applications we’ve received this year. The projects proposed show a continued dedication to advancing knowledge within the industry.
“The proposals cover a wide range of topical subjects, which will not only develop our understanding in these areas but will also help develop new skills for those undertaking the projects.”
Further details of the veterinary student, veterinary nurse, and veterinary surgeon bursaries can be found at the MSD Animal Health Research Bursary website. Applications for the Veterinary Surgeon Research Bursary are currently open with a deadline of 30 November 2021.
