Michigan State University doctoral candidate Jane Marie Manfredi, DVM, MS, DACVS-LA, received the 2015 EQUUS Foundation Research Fellow for her research into identification of risk factors for Equine Metabolic Syndrome, a major health and welfare concern given the established links between EMS, hyperinsulinemia and laminitis.

Dr. Manfredi was recognized Dec. 7 during the Frank J. Milne State-of-the-Art Lecture at the AAEP’s 61^st Annual Convention in Las Vegas, Nev. Instituted in 2011 and supported in partnership by the AAEP Foundation and the EQUUS Foundation, the $5,000 fellow emphasizes the importance of assisting equine researchers in their exploration of horse health care topics. Dr. Manfredi also received a $500 stipend to support her travel to Las Vegas.

Dr. Manfredi’s research aims to evaluate and optimize field-oriented dynamic tests of insulin and glucose regulation, as well as to explore the muscle and adipose tissue biologic differences (via RNA Seq) between four breeds of horses. Understanding differences in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue as it relates to insulin sensitivity and other metabolic traits will greatly advance understanding of the molecular pathophysiology of EMS and laminitis susceptibility and may also identify novel therapeutic targets.

Dr. Manfredi earned her veterinary degree from the Atlantic Veterinary College at the University of Prince Edward Island in 2004. She completed her master’s in veterinary surgery and her large animal surgery residency in 2012, both at the University of Minnesota.

“The contributions of veterinary research have been considerable, not just on animal health but also public health,” said EQUUS Foundation Chairwoman Jenny Belknap Kees. “We are pleased to help provide the financial resources to enable continued advancements by sponsoring the EQUUS Foundation Research Fellowship.”

For more information about this program and other scholarships offered through the AAEP Foundation, please visit www.aaepfoundation.org and select “Scholarships” in the “Apply for Funding” drop-down menu.

The EQUUS Foundation (www.equusfoundation.org), a 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2002, is dedicated to improving the quality of life of horses, retraining horses for multiple careers, making equine therapy available to more people and educating the public about the horse’s unique ability to empower, teach and heal.

The AAEP Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization created in 1994, serves as the charitable arm of the American Association of Equine Practitioners to improve the welfare of the horse. Since its inception, the Foundation has disbursed more than $3.3 million to support its mission.

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