UF graduate student lands fellowship in equine studies

A national equine group has awarded a fellowship to a graduate student and former large animal surgery resident at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine.

Anje Bauck, D.V.M., received the American Association of Equine Practitioners Foundation Past Presidents’ and EQUUS Foundation Research Fellow award, which was presented Nov. 19 during the AAEP’s annual meeting in San Antonio. Bauck is pursuing her Ph.D. under the mentorship of David Freeman, M.V.B., Ph.D., the Appleton Professor of Equine Surgery at the college.

Founded and funded by past presidents of the organization to provide financial support to equine-oriented scholars, the award consists of $5,000 and a travel stipend.

Bauck’s research focus is colic and gastrointestinal physiology, an area she began studying during her residency. Her work explores the physiology of the equine large colon as it relates to clinical disease. Colic and related gastrointestinal diseases are regarded as major health concerns and leading causes of death in horses.

Bauck’s previous research achievements include the presentation of two posters at the International Equine Colic Research Symposium in Ireland in 2014 and an oral presentation at the American College of Veterinary Surgeons’ resident competition in 2015. She also presented GI-related research at this year’s colic symposium in Lexington, Kentucky. In addition, she has two manuscripts currently accepted for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Bauck has presented her research twice at the International Equine Colic Research Symposium.

“She has been instrumental in helping us to complete research into modulation of inflammation in equine colon and small intestine and has converted the results of these studies into research presentations and publications,” Freeman said.

The University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine is supported through funding from UF Health and the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.