Lynn M. Pezzanite, DVM, MS, DACVS-LA, a Postdoctoral Fellow and Ph.D. student at Colorado State University, was named the winner of the AAEP Past Presidents’ Research Fellow for her investigative efforts into new approaches to treatment of multi-drug resistant infections.
The $5,000 grant is awarded annually to a doctoral or residency student who has made significant progress in the field of equine health care research. In addition to the financial reward, Dr. Pezzanite also received a $500 stipend to support her travel to the AAEP’s 65 Annual Convention in Denver, Colo., where on Dec. 9 she accepted her award prior to the Frank J. Milne State-of-the-Art Lecture.
A 2014 graduate of Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Pezzanite seeks to address the increasing threat of antimicrobial resistance in healthcare by developing alternatives to antibiotics through a combination of immune activation and cellular therapy, and termed anti-infective cellular therapy. Dr. Pezzanite’s foundational training as a veterinary surgeon, combined with a background in immunology, enabled her to develop a transdisciplinary graduate program that offers a unique and invaluable learning experience integrating basic sciences with clinical and translational research.
“This award will help continue to foster the research and clinical connections between veterinary and medical campuses, and lead to additional opportunities for collaboration,” said Dr. Pezzanite. “Our goal is to improve outcomes in clinical patients with infections, while reducing hospitalization time and expense. We feel particularly prepared to move forward with this work due to the interdisciplinary strength of our team and institutional support necessary. I am so fortunate and thankful to be a part of this group of dynamic investigators.”
The AAEP Foundation, the forerunner of The Foundation for the Horse, established the Past Presidents’ Research Fellow in 2006. The award is made possible through the monetary contributions of AAEP past presidents.
“The veterinary profession strives to improve equine health and welfare through scientific research and education,” said Dr. Rick Mitchell, Foundation Advisory Council chairman. “This award is one important way we can validate young veterinary graduates entering careers in research to benefit the welfare of horses.”
For more information about this program and other scholarships offered through the The Foundation for the Horse, visit foundationforthehorse.org.
About The Foundation for the Horse
The Foundation for the Horse, a 501(c)(3) organization established in 1994 formerly known as the AAEP Foundation, serves as the charitable arm of the American Association of Equine Practitioners to improve the welfare of horses. Since its inception, the Foundation has disbursed more than $6 million to fulfill its vital mission. For more information about The Foundation, visit foundationforthehorse.org.
