AVMF & VPRF support the future of veterinary medicine with research grants

The American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) and the Veterinary Pharmacology Research Foundation (VPRF) are excited to announce the recipients of their 2024-2025 research grants. These grants will help fund studies aimed at improving how we prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases in animals.

Fighting antibiotic resistance with new solutions

Dr. Maisie Dawes, an associate professor and large animal veterinarian at Western University of Health Sciences, is leading a study on natural alternatives to antibiotics in poultry. Her research focuses on bovine lactoferrin and lactoferricin B, two compounds that are already used as nutraceuticals in human health products. Dr. Dawes and her team are exploring whether these compounds could help keep chickens healthy.

To better understand their effects, the team will conduct multiple trials to see how these natural compounds impact chicken health, growth, and digestion. Dr. Dawes is hopeful that their findings will provide a safer, more sustainable way to protect poultry while also tackling the growing issue of antibiotic resistance.

Expressing appreciation to AVMF and VPRF for supporting their research, Dr. Dawes highlights the innovative nature of their work, stating, “This work is groundbreaking because much is not known about how lactoferrin works in this context. We view this study as a stepping stone towards broader advancements in animal healthcare and food safety, and our discoveries could change how we protect birds from diseases while addressing the growing concern of antibiotic resistance.”

A new hope for horses with severe inflammation

Dr. Kelsey Hart, an associate professor at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, is working on a potential new treatment for a serious condition in horses called systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). This condition occurs when a horse’s immune system overreacts to an infection or injury, causing widespread inflammation that can lead to organ failure and even death.

Dr. Hart and her team are studying metformin, a drug commonly used to treat diabetes in humans and certain metabolic issues in horses. Early research suggests that metformin may also help control the excessive immune response seen in horses with SIRS. Her study will look at how safe the drug is for horses and how it affects their immune system and overall health.

Dr. Hart is grateful for the support from AVMF and VPRF, saying, “We are thrilled to receive the support of AVMF/VPRF for this research, which will help us understand if intravenous metformin might be used to regulate both metabolic and immune function in horses with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS).  We are hopeful that this work will further our understanding of how the immune system impacts cell, tissue, and organ function in equine SIRS, and lead to the development of additional, much-needed therapies for this important and common equine condition.”

These innovative projects reflect the commitment of AVMF and VPRF to advancing veterinary pharmacology and improving animal health worldwide. We congratulate Dr. Dawes and Dr. Hart on their achievements and look forward to the impactful findings their research will bring to veterinary medicine.

About AVMF
The American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) is the charitable arm of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Established in 1963, the AVMF supports animal health and welfare programs, education, advocacy, and research.

About VPRF
The Veterinary Pharmacology Research Foundation (VPRF) is dedicated to supporting research in the field of veterinary pharmacology. VPRF funds innovative projects that aim to develop and improve therapies for animals, leading to advancements in animal healthcare.