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Vet wins prize for presentation on Mycobacterium bovis
Recipients of last year's MSD Animal Health UK's Research Bursaries gathered for the awards day in Milton Keynes.

Recipients of last year’s MSD Animal Health UK’s Research Bursaries impress judges.

Recently graduated veterinary surgeon Alex Bartlett has won the award for best presentation at the MSD Animal Health UK’s Research Bursaries Awards Day.

Her presentation, ‘Development of isothermal phage-based methods to detect Mycobacterium bovis’, showcased the research she had undertaken after receiving one of last year’s MSD Animal Health UK’s Research Bursaries. At the time, she was in her final year as a veterinary student at the Royal Veterinary College.

She impressed a panel of judges which included BVA senior vice-president Malcolm Morley as well as veterinary advisors Nicole De Rosa, Michelle Townley, Stephanie Small and John Helps from MSD Animal Health UK.

The judges heard presentations from four of last year’s bursary recipients at the event on 12 October at the company’s head offices in Milton Keynes.

Zoe Jamieson, a fourth year student at the University of Glasgow, was awarded the runner-up prize for her presentation on using sexed semen to identify best practice guidelines for cow selection.

The other presentations looked at Coxiella burnetii and the influence of MM9 inhibition on the proliferation abilities of canine and human osteosarcoma cells.

Dr Morley said: “It was amazing to hear people who are so passionate about their research, I learnt a lot myself!

“Research is really important as in the veterinary profession so much that we do is evidence based.”
 
The MSD Animal Health UK Research Bursaries are designed to help veterinary students, surgeons and nurses to research the health and wellbeing of livestock and companion animals.

The application for this year’s bursaries closes on Friday, 27 October. Applications can be made on the MSD Animal Health research bursary website.

Dr De Rosa said: “We encourage as many veterinary surgeons, nurses and students to apply and are excited to see the research proposals made. Don’t miss out on the chance to help fund your research ventures.”

Image (C) MSD Animal Health UK

 

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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

Click here for more...
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BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.