The Veterinary Scholars Program 2017 Symposium

BI Continues Longstanding Commitment to Research and Veterinary Students through Veterinary Scholars Program and Annual Symposium

Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) has proudly continued the nearly 30-year tradition of sponsorship of the Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Scholars Program, the most prestigious biomedical research program for veterinary students, and the related annual National Veterinary Scholars Symposium held this year August 3-6 at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). In addition to presentations from leading academicians and program participants, attendees at this year's Symposium heard from speakers including Donald Neiffer, V.M.D. Chief Veterinarian, Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, as well as BI's Dr. Joachim Hasenmaier and Dr. Fabian Kausche.

Nearly 650 participants from 38 veterinary schools in North America and Europe attended the Symposium, learning from a variety of experts from academia, government, private research institutions and industry on the topics of neuroscience, global health, conservation medicine, and comparative oncology. More than 170 Veterinary Scholars Program participants also presented findings from their summer biomedical research projects. This summer research experience often serves as a springboard for lifelong careers in veterinary science and research. Since 2000, more than 2,500 veterinary students sponsored by the company have conducted and presented research findings, helping them prepare for a range of veterinary careers.

Each year, Boehringer Ingelheim presents awards to one graduate student and one undergraduate student for exemplary research projects. The 2017 Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Graduate Award was presented to Dr. Anna Massie, a resident in small animal surgery at the University of California-Davis, for her work in the evaluation of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) as a treatment in chronic non-union fractures in dogs. Ann DiPastina, a veterinary student at Michigan State University, received the 2017 Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Research Scholar Award for her research project on optimizing antimicrobial use for mastitis on U.S. dairy farms.

Watch Highlight Video

FABIAN KAUSCHE, GLOBAL HEAD OF R&D, BI ANIMAL HEALTH.

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.



BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM VETERINARY RESEARCH AWARD FOR VETERINARY STUDENTS Ann DiPastina, a third-year veterinary student at Michigan State University, received the 2017 Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Scholar Research Award, presented by Monica Figueiredo, Director, External Innovation and Lead Finding, Boehringer Ingelheim. The award consists of a $1,500 honorarium and a stipend to attend the Symposium. DiPastina earned a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Cornell University in 2015. As the recipient of the Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Research Scholar Award, she presented the work that she completed in the summer of 2016 under the guidance of Yrjö Gröhn as part of the Cornell University Veterinary Investigators Program.	BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM VETERINARY RESEARCH AWARD FOR GRADUATE VETERINARIANS Dr. Anna Massie received the 2017 Boehringer Ingelheim Research Award for Graduate Veterinarians, presented by Diane Larsen, Head of Pharmaceutical Development Projects, Boehringer Ingelheim. The Award includes a $2,500 honorarium and an invitation to present at the current year’s Symposium. Dr. Massie received her Bachelor's and veterinary degrees from the University of Illinois. Following graduation, she completed a rotating internship in small animal surgery and medicine at Purdue University and a surgical specialty internship at North Houston Veterinarian Specialists. She is currently in her 3rd year of residency in Small Animal Surgery at the University of California-Davis. Dr. Massie presented her research on the use of bone morphogenetic protein to repair non-union fractures at the National Veterinary Scholars Symposium in Washington, D.C.

BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM VETERINARY RESEARCH AWARD FOR VETERINARY STUDENTS

Ann DiPastina, a third-year veterinary student at Michigan State University, received the 2017 Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Scholar Research Award, presented by Monica Figueiredo, Director, External Innovation and Lead Finding, Boehringer Ingelheim. The award consists of a $1,500 honorarium and a stipend to attend the Symposium. DiPastina earned a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Cornell University in 2015. As the recipient of the Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Research Scholar Award, she presented the work that she completed in the summer of 2016 under the guidance of Yrjö Gröhn as part of the Cornell University Veterinary Investigators Program.

BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM VETERINARY RESEARCH AWARD FOR GRADUATE VETERINARIANS

Dr. Anna Massie received the 2017 Boehringer Ingelheim Research Award for Graduate Veterinarians, presented by Diane Larsen, Head of Pharmaceutical Development Projects, Boehringer Ingelheim. The Award includes a $2,500 honorarium and an invitation to present at the current year’s Symposium. Dr. Massie received her Bachelor's and veterinary degrees from the University of Illinois. Following graduation, she completed a rotating internship in small animal surgery and medicine at Purdue University and a surgical specialty internship at North Houston Veterinarian Specialists. She is currently in her 3rd year of residency in Small Animal Surgery at the University of California-Davis. Dr. Massie presented her research on the use of bone morphogenetic protein to repair non-union fractures at the National Veterinary Scholars Symposium in Washington, D.C.

The Veterinary Scholars Program 2017 Symposium

FABIAN KAUSCHE, GLOBAL HEAD OF R&D, BI ANIMAL HEALTH.

2017 Award Winners