AKC Canine Health Foundation Awards 2022 Clinician-Scientist Fellowships

MEDIA CONTACT:
Sharon M. Albright, DVM, CCRT
Manager of Communications & Veterinary Outreach
AKC Canine Health Foundation
Phone: 919-334-4019
E-mail: sharon.albright@akcchf.org

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

RALEIGH, NC (November 29, 2021) – The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF), a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the health of all dogs, awards three Clinician-Scientist Fellowships for 2022.

CHF’s Clinician-Scientist Fellowship Program was launched in 2013 to encourage and support the next generation of canine health researchers. Since then, more than 35 promising new scientists have received financial support to start their careers in canine health research, studying topics such as heart disease, degenerative myelopathy, autoimmune disease, cancer and more. Many of these researchers have continued their careers in canine health research, improving our understanding of canine disease and contributing to the body of peer-reviewed publications supported by CHF funding.

The following fellowships are announced for 2022:

Sarvenaz Bagheri, DVM (CHF Grant 03034-E)
Washington State University
Fellowship Mentor: Yael Merbl, BSc, DVM, DECVN
Dr. Bagheri will study effect of the antioxidant N-Acetylcysteine on dogs with spinal cord injury.
This fellowship is generously sponsored by owners Carolyn and Gary Koch along with breeders Kristy and Kevin Ratliff in honor of “Rumble,” GCHP Hill Country's Let's Get Ready To Rumble. (www.akcchf.org/rumble)

Rachel V. Brady, DVM (CHF Grant 03033-E)
Colorado State University
Fellowship Mentors: Dawn Duval, PhD; Steven Dow, DVM, PhD, DACVIM; and Douglas Thamm, VMD, DACVIM (Oncology)
Dr. Brady will study genetic alterations that drive diffuse large B cell lymphoma as well as tumor and immune system interactions in osteosarcoma (bone cancer).
This fellowship is sponsored by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).

Lopamudra Kher, BVSc&AH, MVSc, MS (CHF Grant 02924-E)
University of Florida
Fellowship Mentor: Domenico Santoro, DVM, MS, DrSc, PhD
Dr. Kher will study the effect of signaling molecules associated with canine atopic dermatitis on S. pseudointermedius bacteria.
This fellowship is generously sponsored in part by the Westie Foundation of America.

“CHF’s Clinician-Scientist Fellows are chosen based on their outstanding achievements, and the reward is the opportunity to do more,” says Stephanie A. Montgomery, DVM, PhD, DACVP, Chair of CHF’s Scientific Review Committee. “This fellowship program is the perfect expression of a passion for dogs, as it invests in developing future leaders who will advance canine health.”

Fellows are selected based on their promise and enthusiasm for pursuing a career in canine health research.  Their research is conducted in line with the Foundation's mission and consistent with the Foundation’s policies. For more information and to support CHF’s Clinician-Scientist Fellowship Program, visit www.akcchf.org/clinsci.

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About CHF

Since 1995, the AKC Canine Health Foundation has leveraged the power of science to address the health needs of all dogs. With more than $62.5 million in funding to date, the Foundation provides grants for the highest quality canine health research and shares information on the discoveries that help prevent, treat and cure canine diseases. The Foundation meets and exceeds industry standards for fiscal responsibility, as demonstrated by their highest four-star Charity Navigator rating and GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency. Learn more at www.akcchf.org.