July 24, 2023 – Supporting new researchers is critical to improving and developing treatments, diagnostics and cures for the many health challenges facing animals today and tomorrow.
The Foundation’s two-year Fellowship Training grants are designed to support the careers of up-and-coming, talented animal health researchers by providing salary support in a quality mentoring environment. Many of our past funded fellows are our funded primary investigators today, working to improve veterinary care for animals everywhere.
“The most important element in veterinary research is people, and the Foundation can make its greatest contribution to veterinary medicine by providing opportunities for students to become skilled in veterinary research.” Dr. Mark L. Morris Sr., Veterinarian, Scientist & Founder of Morris Animal Foundation Quote from “Mark Morris: Veterinarian” published in 1984.
WILDLIFE
AMPHIBIAN HEALTH & STRESS
Use epigenetics (the study of heritable changes in gene expression without altering the DNA sequence) as a potential tool to gauge population health of threatened and endangered toads.
PENGUIN HEALTH MONITORING
Develop disease models to identify and implement conservation measures to help save Humboldt penguins.
TUBERCULOSIS IN AFRICAN BUFFALO
Look for blood biomarkers in African buffalo that could assist in diagnosing bovine tuberculosis and help control disease spread in African wildlife.
WHITE-NOSE SYNDROME IN BATS
Develop a first-of-its-kind cell culture system to test a new drug that could protect hibernating bats from a rapidly spreading and highly fatal fungal infection.
HORSES
AIR POLLUTION
Study how air pollution affects horses training outside and use findings to inform management and training protocols.
COLIC
Develop a test to predict which horses are at higher risk for colic surgery complications.
SYSTEMIC INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE SYNDROME
Investigate a currently available veterinary drug to treat a serious immune response disorder associated with many conditions, including infections, trauma and colic.
DOGS
DEADLY INFECTIONS
Evaluate the potential of currently available drugs to treat dogs sickened by Prototheca, a single-cell algae that causes lethal infections with few treatment options.
OSTEOSARCOMA
Determine how to block certain immune proteins associated with the spread of this aggressive bone cancer.
URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS
Evaluate the response to antibiotics of multidrug-resistant strains of E. coli and gut microbiota.
