AVMA News

AVMF, VPRF announce pharmacology research grant winners

Deadline for veterinary student scholarship applications is May 15

The American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) and the Veterinary Pharmacology Research Foundation (VPRF) selected two veterinary researchers as recipients of the organizations’ 2022-23 pharmacology research grants. This funding supports research projects designed to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases in animals.

Dr. Robert Goggs
Dr. Robert Goggs

These grants are in honor of two outstanding veterinary pharmacologists who recently died. The grant recipients were selected out of 30 applications reviewed by a committee of 20 experts.

The Honorary Lloyd E. Davis Pharmacology Grant was awarded to Dr. Robert Goggs, an associate professor in the emergency and critical care section at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Goggs’ research will focus on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of direct oral anticoagulants in dogs. Abnormal blood clot formation, or thrombosis, is common in critically ill dogs, makes existing illnesses worse, and can be fatal. Effective and safe drugs to reduce the burden of thrombosis are needed.

The Honorary Ralph Claxton Pharmacokinetic Grant was awarded to Dr. Emma Vaasjo, a veterinary resident at the Saint Louis Zoo.

Dr. Emma Vaasjo
Dr. Emma Vaasjo

Dr. Vaasjo’s research will focus on the pharmacokinetics of ganciclovir and valganciclovir in Asian elephants. Elephant endotheliotropic viruses (EEHVs) remain a major threat to the sustainability of both free-ranging and managed populations of Asian elephants. Hemorrhagic disease caused by EEHVs is the most common cause of death in Asian elephants born in managed care.

In addition to these grants, the deadline is approaching for multiple scholarships available for veterinary students through the AVMF and its partners. The veterinary profession has countless options for traditional and nontraditional careers, and the AVMF offers the following scholarships to help students achieve their goals:

  • AVMA/AVMF Scholarship for Veterans: In honor of the 100th anniversary of President Woodrow Wilson’s signing of the National Defense Act of 1916 and the creation of a Veterinary Corps within the U.S. Army, the AVMA and AVMF established a special scholarship for military veterans pursuing an education in veterinary medicine. Scholarships in the amount of $5,000 are available to veterans of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, and Navy currently in their first three years of veterinary school.
  • AVMF/Arizona VMA Scholarship: Five $1,000 scholarships are available to second- and third-year veterinary students with a connection to the state of Arizona. Applicants must be a member of the Student AVMA and a student member of the AzVMA and have been born, lived, employed, or educated in the state, among other requirements.
  • AVMF/Winn Feline Foundation Scholarship: A $2,500 scholarship is available to a second- or third-year student in the U.S. who demonstrates an interest in feline veterinary medicine. The recipient of this award must be able to document a history of participation in activities that benefit the health and welfare of cats. A strong GPA and financial need are also considered for this scholarship.
  • Mildred Sylvester Scholarship: This $1,000 scholarship, established by the estate of Mildred Sylvester, is available to an outstanding first-, second-, or third-year U.S. veterinary student with a connection to the state of New Jersey.

The deadline to apply for these scholarships is May 15 and the application forms are available on the AVMF website. For more information on any of the scholarship opportunities, contact Patti Gillespie, senior manager of programs and operations. She can be reached by email at scholarshipsatavma [dot] org (scholarships[at]avma[dot]org) or by phone at 847-285-6709.