Research Fellows
The American Association of Equine Practioners (AAEP) Foundation and The EQUUS Foundation joined together to establish two EQUUS Foundation Research Fellows in 2011 to emphasize the importance of equine research, to reward researchers for their contributions, and to meet the increasing need to train future equine veterinary researchers.
The EQUUS Foundation Research Fellow is an AAEP member who has graduated from an AVMA-accredited school/college of veterinary medicine and plans to specialize in equine research. The applicant should be a current doctoral student or resident, or have completed their residency or doctorate within two years. The recipients will receive a $5,000 scholarship for conducting equine research plus a $500 stipend to assist with travel to the AAEP Convention. The grant may be used in collaboration with other funding. The EQUUS Foundation Research Fellows program emphasizes the importance of assisting equine researchers in their exploration of horse health care topics.
The deadline to apply for an EQUUS Foundation Research Fellow is August 1. For additional information, please visit the AAEP website at http://www.aaep.org/equus_fellow.htm.
2012 Recipients
Michelle C. Coleman, DVM, DACVIM
Texas A&M University
Dr. Coleman is working toward a graduate degree in biomedical sciences with an emphasis on epidemiology. She is the study coordinator for the AAEP Foundation’s Case-Control Study of Pasture- and Endocrinopathy-Associated Laminitis in horses, currently underway at Texas A&M University. The short-term objective of the study is to identify risk factors for the development of incident cases of laminitis among horse that naturally develop pasture-or endocrinopathy-associated laminitis. It is hoped that results of this project will guide the long-term objective of developing strategies for control and prevention of this form of the disease.
Dr. Coleman received a bachelor's of science degree in 2003 from the University of Rochester (NY) and her veterinary degree in 2007 from the University of Georgia.
Allen E. Page, DVM
University of Kentucky Gluck Equine Research Center
Dr. Page's doctoral research is focused on the immunological response of horses to Lawsonia intracellularis; in particular, he is investigating why only a small proportion of L. intracellularis-exposed weanlings develop clinical signs of equine proliferative enteropathy (EPE) while the vast majority fails to show any ill effects of exposure. One of the most pressing issues he is investigating with respects to L. intracellularis and EPE concerns how the bacterium is transmitted and where the reservoir exists on a farm. EPE is a disease of foals caused by the obligate intracellular organism L. intracellularis. This emerging disease causes fever, lethargy, peripheral oedema, diarrhea, colic and weight loss.
Dr. Page received his bachelor's degree in 2004 and his veterinary degree in 2008 from the University of California, Davis. He also is a Morris Animal Foundation/Pfizer Animal Health Fellow.
2011 Recipients
Heidi Banse, DVM, DACVIM
Oklahoma State University
Dr. Banse's doctoral research focuses on the molecular events underlying the development of equine metabolic syndrome (EMS). EMS is a common endocrine disorder of middle-aged horses characterized by obesity, regional adiposity, insulin resistance and a predisposition to laminitis. Identification of the initiating metabolic events that lead to EMS may allow for earlier diagnosis and treatment. The long-term goal of her research is to identify a preventative intervention for horses with EMS based on improved understanding of the pathophysiology of the condition.
Dr. Banse received a bachelor's of science degree in veterinary science in 2004 and her veterinary degree in 2007, both from Washington State University. She completed a residency in equine internal medicine in July of 2011 at Oklahoma State University.
Lindsey Helms Boone, DVM
University of Georgia
Dr. Boone's doctoral research is centered on the intra-articular use of equine allogeneic bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) for the treatment of acute and chronic degenerative joint disease in the horse. While regenerative therapy is becoming commonplace in the treatment of many equine musculoskeletal diseases, much remains to be elucidated on its precise mechanisms of action, the full potential of its application and the potential for deleterious side effects. Dr. Boone's research aims to answer many of these questions at they pertain to equine joint health.
Dr. Boone received her bachelor's degree in animal and veterinary sciences in 2004 from Clemson University and her veterinary degree in 2008 from the University of Georgia. She completing a residency in equine surgery and working on her doctorate at the University of Georgia.
2012 Recipients
Two equine researchers were presented with the 2012 EQUUS Foundation Research Fellows for their work to advance veterinary knowledge during the American Association of Equine Practitioners' 58th Annual Convention. Texas A&M University master of science candidate Michelle C. Coleman, DVM, DACVIM, and University of Kentucky Gluck Equine Research Center doctoral candidate Allen E. Page, DVM, each received a $5,000 fellow to support their endeavors in equine research during the Frank J. Milne State-of-the-Art Lecture. Photo: Left to Right: Dr. Richard Mitchell, EQUUS Foundation Board member, Dr. Allen E. Page, Dr. Wayne McIlwraith, AAEP Foundation Chairman, Dr. Michelle C. Coleman, and Dr. John Mitchell, 2012 AAEP President.
2011 Recipients
Two equine researchers were presented with the inaugural 2011 EQUUS Foundation Research Fellows for their work to advance veterinary knowledge during the American Association of Equine Practitioners' 57th Annual Convention. Oklahoma State University doctoral candidate Heidi Banse, DVM, DACVIM, and University of Georgia doctoral candidate Lindsey Helms Boone, DVM, each received a $5,000 fellow to support their endeavors in equine research during the Frank J. Milne State-of-the-Art Lecture. Photo: Left to Right: Dr. Wayne McIlwraith, AAEP Foundation Chairman, Dr. Lindsey Boone, Dr. Rick Mitchell, EQUUS Foundation Board member, Dr. Heidi Banse, and Dr. Bill Moyer, 2011 AAEP President.
