Merck Animal Health commits $50,000 in scholarships to foster future poultry veterinarians

In its 11th year of partnership with the AAAP Foundation, Merck Animal Health awards scholarships to five veterinary students specialising in poultry health, supporting the future of avian medicine amid growing food safety demands.

Merck Animal Health has awarded $50,000 in scholarships to five veterinary students specialising in poultry health, marking the 11th year of its partnership with the American Association of Avian Pathologists Foundation. The company said the programme has now distributed more than $280,000 to date.

The awards were announced at the AAAP annual meeting in Orlando, Florida, on 28-30 July. Each student received $10,000: Miranda Carrisosa Gibbes of Michigan State University; Mackenzie Ripper of North Carolina State University; Christian Rushing of Mississippi State University; Kelci Teel of Texas Tech University; and Kristy Ling Trung of the University of Georgia.

According to the AAAP Foundation, scholarships are aimed at students pursuing poultry health and food safety, with selection based on academic record, references, relevant experience and a career essay. The foundation, established in 1988, says its wider remit is to develop future specialists and support research, education and professional excellence in avian medicine.

Merck Animal Health said the initiative reflects its commitment to the veterinary profession and to strengthening the pipeline of poultry veterinarians at a time when safe and efficient egg and meat production depends on specialist expertise. The AAAP said the students’ leadership will be important to the sector’s future.