Published 4/24/2023

The Morris Animal Foundation recently selected Jainee Cowen, a VM4 at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, as a recipient of a Veterinary Student Scholar Program Grant. The $5,500 grant will go toward funding Cowen’s research, “Characterization of Serpentine Fecal Microbiota.”

Cowen’s mentors for the study, which is under way, are Craig Franklin, DVM, PhD, DACLAM, a professor in the Department of Veterinary Pathology at Mizzou, and David Penning, PhD, an associate professor of biology and environmental health at Missouri Southern State University.

The Morris Animal Foundation is a global leader in supporting studies to find solutions to serious health threats to animals and has donated nearly $150 million to improve the health and quality of life for dogs, cats, horses and wildlife since its founding in 1948. The Veterinary Student Scholar Program provides veterinary students with the opportunity to conduct mentored research to advance the health and well-being of animals.

“Receiving this award means so much to me,” said Cowen. “Not only will it help me conduct the research that I plan to publish in the future, but it also helps me with cost of living while in veterinary school. I want to thank the people that have helped me in the research setting, as well as the Morris Animal Foundation for this opportunity.”

By Nick Childress