Melanie Bizzarro
Clinical Research Scientist Scholarship
Christine Haake
Clinical Practice Scholarship
The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) and EveryCat Health Foundation are pleased to announce the recipients of their 2021 joint scholarships for feline clinical practice and feline clinical research scientist. Two veterinary students were each awarded a $2,500 scholarship to support their continuing educations and advancement of feline medicine. Each student was selected based on academic achievement, financial need, leadership, and a dedication to feline veterinary medicine.
With a strong interest in feline medicine, Melanie Bizzarro, a junior from the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, was awarded the 2021 feline clinical practice scholarship. Melanie’s excitement for cats started long before veterinary school when she worked in an all feline animal shelter. Since she began veterinary school, Melanie has spent time focusing on community cats and homeless kittens, starting a feline rescue, and began providing medical care to underprivileged cats. Many of Melanie’s comments in her application showed her dedication to pursue a career focusing on feline medicine. “Felines are such unique and complex creatures. They are often neglected and sometimes even forgot about.” She goes on explaining her goals for the future. “I hope to find a job in a shelter with a strong focus on cats or a feline-specific shelter. I hope to provide affordable, high-quality medical care to individuals within the community, increase welfare for cats within shelters, and provide quality care to community cats. I hope to help be a part of this change and increase welfare, medical care, and surgical care for cats in shelters and community cats.”
Receiving the 2021 clinical research scientist scholarship is Christine Haake, a junior from University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Christine is dedicated to feline medicine and her research efforts include investigating the etiology of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). Having lost her own cat to FIP, Christine became inspired to pursue a more nuanced understanding of FIP pathogenesis. “It was my relationship with an adopted cat and experience volunteering at the shelter that ultimately blossomed into my goal of becoming a veterinarian.” Her long-term goal is to become board-certified in internal medicine, specializing in feline infectious diseases. Christine has a desire to establish an independent research program at a school of veterinary medicine. “I hope to be a leader in the interdisciplinary and collaborative approach to studying and treating infectious diseases in cats.” She has spent time volunteering and is the president of the radiology club, wet lab coordinator for the surgery club, foster and coordinator for the Orphan Kitten Project, and representative to the SCVMA.
EveryCat Health Foundation and the AAFP are proud to support these exceptional students on their journey to elevate feline medicine and welfare. The two joint $2,500 scholarships offered will provide students with a helpful resource to further their education and passion. “Melanie and Christine demonstrate a drive to elevate feline medicine and research. Their passion is evident in their work and we’re excited to see what they bring to the future of feline care,” expressed Heather O’Steen, CAE and CEO of the AAFP. Jackie Ott Jaakola, Executive Director of EveryCat Health Foundation offers, “We are honored to support the efforts of these exceptional students with a particular interest in feline health, as together we advance groundbreaking research to help all cats throughout the world.”