Winn Feline Foundation
Vicki Thayer DVM, DABVP (Feline)
Executive Director
888-963-6946, extension 702
Media Info
Steve Dale, CABC
Media Contact and Winn Board Member
888-963-6946, extension 703
Media Info
For Immediate Release
Wyckoff, NJ, September 9, 2013: The Winn Feline Foundation and American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) announced their annual joint Student Scholarship Award to Yuki Nakayama, a DVM candidate from Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Susan Little, DVM, Past President and Board Member of Winn Feline Foundation presented the award in August of this year at the Merial/NIH Scholars Program.
Yuki Nakayama has demonstrated a commitment to feline health research as a DVM candidate, and earlier in her academic career. While at Tufts, in an effort to assess the efficacy of vaccines in preventing upper respiratory tract disease, Yuki has been able to follow the immune response to vaccination of 99 shelter cats during their stay. Yuki took an active role in the clinical care of these cats.
During her undergraduate studies at Wellesley College, Yuki volunteered with shelters and rescue organizations in her community, and interned at a wildlife sanctuary and rehabilitation facility for seven months. She determined to embark on a career in research and feline health studies.
After receiving her undergraduate degree, Yuki honed her research skills studying molecular biology research on human pituitary tumors, During the same period, she was appointed the facility director of a small feline rescue group. Yuki became deeply affected by the constant outbreaks of severe respiratory tract disease (URTD) in cats despite aggressive treatment. Yuki refined her career goals realizing she wanted to do research that would directly impact the lives of shelter cats.
While she grew up in a household of many pets, (The Nakayama Zoo), Yuki did not encounter cats until she began to volunteer at the humane society in her late teens. In her words, she has been “obsessed” with them ever since.
Winn Feline Foundation and the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) join together annually in presenting two awards designed to promote and encourage feline health studies by both established veterinary research scientists and by those entering this field of study. Winn Feline Foundation and the American Veterinary Medical Foundation are pleased to collaborate in this effort to focus attention on care for “Every Cat, Every Day.”
About Winn Feline Foundation
The Winn Feline Foundation is a non-profit organization established in 1968 that supports studies to improve cat health. Since 1968, the Winn Feline Foundation has funded more than $4 million in health research for cats at more than 30 partner institutions world-wide. For further information, go to www.winnfelinefoundation.org
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