The award which has been set up to recognise a person or group whose clinical or scientific work has made a substantial difference to the equine veterinary world will be judged by a panel of leading vets and scientists.

The LitoVet Equine Scientific Achievement Award nominees are:

Peter Clegg – MA VerMB PhD CertsES DepEVCS MRCVS. Dr Clegg is Professor of Equine Surgery and Deputy Head of the Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, The University of Liverpool. Peter’s current research focus is equine orthopaedics, in particular identifying the basic mechanisms of injury and repair in equine joints and tendons. He has supervised 13 successful PhD students and is currently supervising a further nine.

Andy Durham BSc, BVSc, DEIM, Dipl.ECEIM, MRCVS (RCVS & European Specialist in equine internal medicine). Liphook-based Andy Durham exemplifies the premise that veterinarians in practice can maintain an active interest in current research, undertake clinically relevant research projects, interact with researchers on an international stage and  contribute to CPD through scientific papers, book chapters and lectures.

Tim Mair BVSc PhD DEIM DESTS DipECEIM MRCVS. Dr Mair has been innovative in veterinary practice (e.g., an early adopter of standing magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]), has an extensive publication list recently focusing on evidence-based medicine for colic, but spanning the full breadth of common medical disorders in horses. He has made an enormous contribution to veterinary practice within both Europe and America in his role as Editor of Equine Veterinary Education.

Chris Proudman MA VetMB PhD CertEO FRCVS.Dr Proudman is Professor of Equine Studies at the University of Liverpool.  His research interests are related to the aetiology and surgical management of acute intestinal disease (colic) in the horse: specifically, the diagnosis of intestinal parasites associated with colic and understanding dietary determinants of colic.  Most recently this has involved using metabolomics and molecular microbiology to investigating the intestinal microbiota and its response to dietary change.

Lanes Health, manufacturer of LitoVet®, approached the Animal Health Trust to suggest creating a new award in recognition of the importance scientific research plays in developing new treatments and combating disease.  LitoVet® was itself only brought to market after a double-blind placebo controlled trial had been undertaken in performance horses that concluded that LitoVet®  helps to maintain soundness, suppleness and mobility in horses.

The LitoVet® Equine Scientific Achievement Award can be granted to any individual or group that is currently undertaking, or has successfully implemented within the past ten years, one or more clinical or other research projects which has, or will, make a significant contribution to equine health and welfare.  

The five panel members, who will be choosing the recipient of the award in 2011, are:

Sue Dyson MA, VetMB, PhD, DEO, FRCVS (Chair) Dr Dyson is Head of Clinical Orthopaedics in the Centre for Equine Studies at the AHT. Her main interests are lameness diagnosis and diagnostic imaging.

Catherine Dunnett BSc, PhD, R.Nutr Dr Dunnett is an independent nutritionist running ‘Independent Equine Nutrition’ a well regarded consultancy providing services to a wide range of international clients.

Mark Vaudin PhD, Dr Vaudin , an experienced genome scientist and geneticist whose expertise is recognised internationally is the AHT’s Deputy CEO and Head of Research.

Pat Harris MA, VetMB, PhD, DipECVCN,  MRCVS Dr Harris is responsible for the research carried out by the Equine Studies group at WALTHAM® and is a past president of BEVA and an adjunct Professor of Equine Studies at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (USA) as well as a visiting Professor at the University of Liverpool (UK).

Celia M Marr, BVMS, MVM, PhD, DEIM, DipECEIM, MRCVS, RCVS & European Specialist in Equine Internal Medicine Professor Marr is an Associate at Rossdale and Partners and is responsible for clinical services in Internal Medicine, Cardiology and Intensive Care. She is also an Honorary Professor of the University of Glasgow, School of Veterinary Medicine and Editor-in-chief of the Equine Veterinary Journal.

The Litovet® Equine Scientific Achievement Award will be presented to the recipient, or recipients, at the UK Equestrian Awards held at the Lancaster London on Thursday 3 November 2011.