“These recipients are already standout students at their respective universities, and as they prepare to enter the field of poultry production, we want to help provide support for their ongoing education as we know student debt can be a challenge,” said Rick Sibbel, D.V.M. Executive Director, Food Animal Technical Services, Merck Animal Health. “We’re confident that, in the years to come, these talented students will be making a mark on our industry, helping all of us advance the science of healthier animals.”

“These veterinary students will provide the expertise to nourish the 2050 projected world population of 9.7 billion people with safe and sustainable poultry food products,” said Dr. Fred Hoerr, President of the AAAP Foundation. “We are pleased to partner with Merck Animal Health to facilitate their success.”

The following veterinary students are this year’s scholarship recipients:

K. Denise Apperson of Texas, is a third-year student at the Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Denise earned her bachelor’s degree and Ph.D. in geological sciences from the University of Texas at Austin. She earned her master’s degree in animal sciences with an emphasis in poultry nutrition from Oregon State University. She plans to use her D.V.M. to work in the poultry industry, either in commercial production or research.

Jacob Carlson of Elk Grove, Calif., is a second-year student at the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He earned his bachelor’s degree in animal science from California State University – Fresno, and completed internships with Mitchell Farms, the National Turkey Federation and the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s Emergency Management and Health Team. He aspires to become a staff veterinarian for a poultry company.

Dallas Clontz of Monroe, N.C., is a second-year student at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dallas earned bachelor’s degrees in animal science and poultry science from North Carolina State University. Dallas has served as an intern for Tyson Foods and worked as a veterinary technician at two different practices. Dallas hopes to become a board-certified member of the American College of Veterinary pathologists.

Valerie Marcano of Athens, Ga., is a second-year student at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, enrolled in the dual D.V.M.-Ph.D. program. She received her bachelor’s degree in animal science with a minor in Spanish, from Cornell University. Valerie has interned at the Poultry Diagnostic Research Center at the University of Georgia and at the Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). She is a Saul T. Wilson Jr. Scholar and upon graduating will be joining the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

Kaytee McCullough of Tryon, N.C., is a third-year student at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She earned her bachelor’s degree in animal science with a poultry science minor from North Carolina State University. She has completed internships at Cobb-Vantress, Inc., George’s Inc., the University of Georgia Poultry Disease Research Center and Wayne Farms LLC. Kaytee plans to pursue a career in production animal medicine.

Sarah Morrissey of Ossining, N.Y. is a second-year student at the Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine. She earned her bachelor’s degree in animal bioscience from the University of Delaware. She has completed research investigating LED lighting technology in the commercial broiler industry and worked as a research assistant investigating viral disinfection protocols. Sarah is interested in pursuing a career in international veterinary medicine.

Kayla Niel of DuBois, Pa., is a third-year student at the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in animal sciences from Pennsylvania State University. Kayla has interned with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and completed a pilot study with the USDA Agricultural Research Service Avian Disease and Oncology Laboratory. She plans to pursue a career in poultry medicine.

Lisa Tenny of Leawood, Kan., is a third-year student at the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Lisa obtained her bachelor’s degree in animal science and industry from Kansas State University. She has interned with Butterball LLC, Nelson’s Poultry, Hy-Line North America and Aviagen. Lisa also serves as an ambassador for K-State, giving tours and facilitating interviews for prospective students.

Linnea Tracy of Davis, Calif., is a third-year student at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Stanford University. In addition to pursuing her veterinary degree, she is pursuing a Masters of Public Health from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. Linnea hopes to work for a state or federal government department of agriculture.

Katie Venters of Raleigh, N.C., is a third-year student at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in biology and avian biology from the University of Georgia – Athens. She has served as president of the Poultry Medicine Club North Carolina State, organising wet labs for students and learning events for the public.

The 2018 scholarship recipients will be recognised at the AAAP Annual Conference in July. Learn more about the AAAP Foundation at https://www.aaap.info/foundation.

About Merck Animal Health

For more than a century, Merck, a leading global biopharmaceutical company, has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world’s most challenging diseases. Merck Animal Health, known as MSD Animal Health outside the United States and Canada, is the global animal health business unit of Merck. Through its commitment to the Science of Healthier Animals™, Merck Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, pet owners and governments one of the widest range of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services. Merck Animal Health is dedicated to preserving and improving the health, wellbeing and performance of animals. It invests extensively in dynamic and comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain. Merck Animal Health is present in more than 50 countries, while its products are available in some 150 markets. For more information, visit www.merck-animal-health.com or connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter at @MerckAH.