The Veterinary Scholars Program 2016 Symposium
2016 Merial-NIH Veterinary Scholars Symposium Focuses on Transdisciplinary Approaches to Health and Wellness
The Merial-NIH National Veterinary Scholars Symposium was held in Columbus, Ohio on July 28-31, hosted this year by The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. The 2016 Symposium provided opportunities for the 583 attendees from 38 schools of veterinary medicine to explore a number of research topics and to network with others starting or pursuing careers in biomedical research.
Topics including infectious diseases, translational oncology, and regenerative medicine were explored through keynote and featured presentations, breakout sessions, and poster sessions. Dr. Ab Osterhaus, DVM, PhD, from the University of Hannover, Germany, kicked off the scientific program with his keynote address, "Combatting Emerging Viruses: One Health Approach." This year's Symposium also featured a special breakout session on research career pathways.
More than 400 scientific posters were presented in four sessions by both veterinary students and young investigators, covering a wide range of research topics with potential to impact the health and well-being of animals and humans
During the Symposium Merial recognizes and awards one graduate student and one undergraduate student for their exemplary research.
In addition to supporting the Symposium, Merial has sponsored the associated Veterinary Scholars Research Program for the past 27 years. The program partners with veterinary schools to fund a 10-12 week hands-on summer research experience for first and second year veterinary students considering careers in biomedical research. The students then present their research results at the Symposium.
"A large percentage of MVSP participants end up with a career in science," said Fabian Kausche, Global Head of R&D, Merial. "To me, that's a clear long-term benefit of this program. Merial's priority is to provide solutions to help care for the well-being of animals, and this program furthers the advances in veterinary and human health research that make that possible."
The annual Symposium is funded primarily by Merial, the National Institutes of Health, and the host institution. In 2017, Merial will continue to co-sponsor the symposium with the National Institutes of Health at the NIH headquarters in Washington, D.C.
A large proportion of program participants actually end up with a career in science. To me, that's a clear long-term benefit of this program.
|
|
MERIAL VETERINARY RESEARCH AWARD FOR VETERINARY STUDENTS Laura LoBuglio, a third-year veterinary student at the University of Minnesota, received the 2016 Merial Veterinary Scholar Research Award, presented by Monica Figueiredo, Director, External Innovation and Lead Finding, Merial. The award consists of a $1,500 honorarium and a stipend to attend the Symposium. LoBuglio conducted the research for which she was awarded at the University of Minnesota Stem Cell Institute and Schulze Diabetes Institute. She provided a presentation on the Identification and Inhibition of oxidative stress-induced apoptosis pathways in beta cells in diabetes. |
MERIAL VETERINARY RESEARCH AWARD FOR GRADUATE VETERINARIANS Dr. Victoria Baxter received the 2016 Merial Research Award for Graduate Veterinarians, presented by Diane Larsen, Head of Pharmaceutical Development Projects, Merial. The Award includes a $2,500 honorarium and an invitation to present at the current year's Symposium. Baxter earned her DVM from Texas A&M, is boarded in Laboratory Animal Medicine and completed her Ph.D. in the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Cellular and Molecular Medicine program in January 2016. She is currently a Postdoctorial Fellow at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Baxter provided a short presentation on her work related to interferon gamma modulation of disease manifestation and the local antibody response to alphavirus encephalomyelitis. Victoria was also a participant in the Merial Veterinary Scholars Program in 2008, which helped influence her decision to go into research. |