Merck Animal Health this week announced the recipients of the Merck Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarship Program, awarding $170,000 in scholarships to 34 veterinary students from around the world. Through a partnership with the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF), the program recognizes outstanding second- and third-year students who are pursuing careers in large animal and companion animal medicine.
"These students are our future visionaries and will become the leaders of the veterinary profession," said Norman Stewart, D.V.M., livestock technical services manager for Merck Animal Health. "Through this program, we are reinforcing our long-standing commitment to education, personal development and the science of healthier animals. It also allows us to help support the cost of veterinary education, as well as recognize and celebrate the next generation of leaders."
Every year, Merck Animal Health collaborates with numerous educational and veterinary organizations to ensure the advancement of animal health. This scholarship program is part of a broader commitment to education, students and the future of the industry. AVMF, the charitable arm of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), has a 50-year history of providing opportunities that foster the academic success of veterinary students.
"The AVMF is committed to ensuring the future of veterinary medicine, so we are pleased to partner with Merck Animal Health to provide veterinary student scholarships to students in the United States and international veterinary colleges," says Dr. Cheryl Eia, Interim Executive Director, AVMF. "Providing support to these outstanding students will greatly impact and improve the future of veterinary medicine for years to come."
More than 1,000 students from U.S. and international veterinary schools accredited through the AVMA applied for the scholarships. Award recipients were selected based on academic excellence, financial need, leadership and area of interest within the profession. The following students have been awarded the 2015 Merck Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarships:
- Rahmat Al-Amin, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, SE Asia
- Laurence Arpin, University of Montreal, Canada
- Kaitlyn Briggs, Cornell University, U.S.
- Daniel Carreño, North Carolina State University, U.S.
- Serena Caunce, University of Saskatchewan, Canada
- Tereza Chylkova, University of California-Davis, U.S.
- Brillarch Amante M. Dayag II, University of the Philippines Los Banos, SE Asia
- Jona del Mundo, University of the Philippines Los Banos, SE Asia
- Stephanie Delorme, University of Guelph, Canada
- Kelly Flynn, University of Wisconsin, U.S.
- Kelly Hurley, University of Florida, U.S.
- Samantha Huston, The Ohio State University, U.S.
- Ariful Islam, Bangladesh Agricultural University, SE Asia
- Rachael Ramsey Kearns, North Carolina State University, U.S.
- Kamraitip Lokham, Chiang Mai University-Thailand, SE Asia
- Rebecca Lulay, Oregon State University, U.S.
- June Marlo M. Matundan, University of the Philippines Los Banos, SE Asia
- Ericka Meyers, Colorado State University, U.S.
- Nicole Mikoni, University of California – Davis, U.S.
- Chandan Nath, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, SE Asia
- Halcyon Dawn G. Nicolas, University of the Philippines Los Banos, SE Asia
- Shirley Nigaglioni Roig, St. George's University, Caribbean
- Megan Marie Orloski, North Carolina State University, U.S.
- Susanna Perenboom, Washington State University, U.S.
- Md. Tazinur Rahman, Bangladesh Agricultural University, SE Asia
- Dipto Kumar Roy, Bangladesh Agricultural University, SE Asia
- Md. Nur A Alam Sidique, Bangladesh Agricultural University, SE Asia
- Kristin Maicah Soriano, University of the Philippines Los Banos, SE Asia
- Emily Spulak, Colorado State University, U.S.
- Sakhawat Hossain Tareq, Bangladesh Agricultural University, SE Asia
- Jessica M. Urban, St. George's University, Caribbean
- Rachel Wanty, Colorado State University, U.S.
- Cheryl Yashar, University of California – Davis, U.S.
- Moonkiratul Zannat, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University-Bangladesh, SE Asia
Merck Animal Health invests in the future of the veterinary profession by supporting research, education and specialized skills training so veterinarians have the resources they need to provide the best care possible. The scholarship program with AVMF supports the next generation of veterinarians and expands the future careers of students who are committed to veterinary and animal sciences.