MEDIA ALERT: DENVER/January 27, 2025 — Morris Animal Foundation announced funding for four new wildlife Fellowship Training grants to provide much needed funding to train the next generation of wildlife health researchers.
“Morris Animal Foundation’s Fellowship Training grants provide funding integral to programs developing new wildlife health scientists,” said Dr. Lara Croft, Veterinary Scientist at Morris Animal Foundation. “Our foundation is one of only a handful of organizations supporting this type of specialized training.”
Fellowship Training grants are designed to assist new investigators in launching a successful research career by providing salary support in a quality mentoring environment. Each candidate undergoes a rigorous selection process by an esteemed group of experts.
This year’s grant recipients and their topics are:
- Dr. Eberle Yarborough, Oregon State University, will study disease patterns where livestock and wildlife are in close proximity. The project will be conducted in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Dr. Fernando Vilchez-Delgado, Tufts University, will be taking a close look at herpesviruses in trafficked primates in Peru.
- Dr. Kayla Buhler, Inland Norway University, Norway, will study how variations in diet resulting from climate change affect disease in polar bears.
- Dr. Jorge Rojas-Jimenez, University of Georgia, will work on establishing a population health surveillance program for Baird’s tapirs in Costa Rica.
Two of this year’s fellowships were made possible by the generosity of Sally R. McIntosh, a devoted supporter of Morris Animal Foundation and a tireless champion for veterinary science. Sally leaves behind an enduring legacy that will continue to inspire veterinary researchers for years to come. Beginning with her first gift in 2009 to advance greyhound health research, her commitment expanded to support a variety of animal health initiatives benefiting dogs and wildlife. The veterinary community is deeply grateful for Sally’s genuine commitment to promoting diversity in the field, and her dedication and vision will live on to help animals around the world.
About Morris Animal Foundation
Morris Animal Foundation’s mission is to bridge science and resources to advance the health of animals. Founded in 1948 and headquartered in Denver, it is one of the largest nonprofit animal health research organizations in the world, funding nearly $167 million in more than 3,000 critical animal health studies to date across a broad range of species. Learn more at morrisanimalfoundation.org.
Media Contact: Lindsey Washington
