MSD Animal Health Names 2018 High Quality Pork Ph.D. Award Recipient

Madison, NJ, February 14, 2018 – MSD Animal Health (known as Merck Animal Health in the USA and Canada) is proud to announce that Ana Carolina Lopes-Antunes, DVM, Ph.D., is the recipient of the 2018 High Quality Pork Ph.D. Award in support of research in swine health, production and welfare. 

  
Ana Lopes-Antunes, a post-doctoral researcher from the Division for Diagnostics and Scientific Advice  – Epidemiology, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University in Denmark, will be given the opportunity to present her research to an impressive number of swine industry specialists at upcoming MSD Animal Health High Quality Pork meetings to be held in Asia, Latin America and Europe in 2018.

The company also awarded honorable mentions to Marisa Rotolo, Ph.D. in Veterinary Microbiology, and a post-doctoral researcher at Iowa State University, and the U.S.D.A. Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health, and Pablo Valdes-Donoso, DVM, MPVM, MS, Ph.D., a post-doctoral scholar at the University of California, Davis.
  
Dr. Lopes-Antunes’ research project focused on exploring large volumes of swine-related databases for endemic swine diseases in Denmark, in order to monitor, control and eradicate these diseases, using PRRS (porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome), as an example.

She is originally from Portugal where she obtained her DVM and MSc in Veterinary Medicine at University of Lisbon and was awarded a Ph.D. from the Technical University in Denmark, where she is currently a post-doctoral researcher.
  
“We are pleased to recognize Ana’s research as part of our commitment to advance the future of young veterinarians and veterinary scientists and our company’s mission, the Science of Healthier Animals™,” said Rika Jolie, DVM, Ph.D., MBA, Global Technical Director, Swine, MSD Animal Health. “We believe this opportunity will help prepare graduate students for their vital roles within our industry and it is our hope to establish life-long partnerships with them to further ongoing research and innovation.”

Dr. Lopes-Antunes was selected among several candidates who defended their doctoral (Ph.D.), research in either veterinary or animal science with an emphasis on swine within the last 12 months.

About MSD Animal Health
For more than a century, MSD, a leading global biopharmaceutical company, has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world’s most challenging diseases. MSD Animal Health, known as Merck Animal Health in the United States and Canada, is the global animal health business unit of MSD.Through its commitment to the Science of Healthier Animals™, MSD Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, pet owners and governments one of the widest range of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services. MSD Animal Health is dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well-being and performance of animals. It invests extensively in dynamic and comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain. MSD Animal Health is present in more than 50 countries, while its products are available in some 150 markets. For more information, visit www.msd-animal-health.com or connect with us on LinkedIn.

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