Veterinary student is second-time winner of poultry medicine scholarship from national organization
Monday, March 18, 2019
Third-year veterinary student at Kansas State University, Jake Carlson, is a two-time winner of a $5,000 scholarship from the American Association of Avian Pathologists Foundation and Merck Animal Health. The scholarship is for veterinary students focused on poultry health. | Download this photo.
MANHATTAN —For the second year in a row, Jake Carlson, Elk Grove, California, a third-year veterinary student at Kansas State University, is one of 10 students chosen nationwide to receive a $5,000 scholarship from the American Association of Avian Pathologists Foundation and Merck Animal Health.
These scholarships are designated for second- and third-year veterinary students who are focused on poultry health.
Carlson earned a bachelor's degree in animal science at California State University, Fresno. He spent multiple years working for Mitchell Farms in Elk Grove, interned with the National Turkey Federation and worked for the Kansas Department of Agriculture's Emergency Management and Animal Health Team. He took part in a series of externships with Butterball LLC, the Turlock Branch of the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, and Foster Farms this past summer. After graduating, Carlson plans to become a staff veterinarian for a poultry company.
"It's a great honor to have been selected for this scholarship again," Carlson said. "I am looking forward to using the funds to travel to the different poultry externships I have arranged for my fourth year of veterinary school, and am excited to learn even more about poultry medicine and the industry."
Carlson added that he is especially looking forward to spending two weeks with Kansas State University veterinary alumnus Kabel Robbins, who is a veterinarian for Butterball in Ozark, Arkansas.
"I was fortunate enough to have met him at the American Association of Avian Pathologists' annual meeting last July and have enjoyed having him as a mentor," Carlson said.
"These standout recipients will be instrumental to the future of poultry production," said Justin Welsh, veterinarian and executive director of livestock technical services for Merck Animal Health. "We're proud to support these students in their educational pursuits and look forward to the impact they will make in the years to come to help us advance the science of healthier animals."
"Projecting ahead 30 years, these are the future veterinarians who will ensure healthy flocks are producing safe and wholesome eggs and poultry meat in the global food supply," said Fred Hoerr, president of the American Association of Avian Pathologists Foundation. "We are fortunate to partner with Merck Animal Health to help identify these students and support their education."
