Texas A&M University Doctoral Candidate Named AAEP Foundation Past Presidents Research Fellow

Texas A&M University doctoral candidate Canaan Whitfield-Cargile, DVM, DACVS, DACVSMR, received the 2016 AAEP Foundation Past Presidents’ Research Fellow for his research examining the role of gastrointestinal (GI) microbiota in equine gastrointestinal healing.

Dr. Whitfield-Cargile was recognized Dec. 5 prior to the Frank J. Milne State-of-the-Art Lecture at the AAEP’s 62nd Annual Convention in Orlando, Fla. The $5,000 grant is awarded annually to a doctoral or residency student who has made significant progress in the field of equine health care research. Dr. Whitfield Cargile also received a $500 stipend to support his travel to Orlando.

Changes in equine GI microbiota have been associated with chronic laminitis, colitis, and colic. Dr. Whitfield-Cargile’s research examines the role of equine GI microbiota and their metabolites in three gastrointestinal conditions important for horses: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory enteropathy, Clostridium difficile-associated enterocolitis, and intestinal anastomotic leakage.

Dr. Whitfield-Cargile received his veterinary degree from the University of Georgia in 2006, and he completed his large animal surgery residency at Texas A&M University. While employed in equine private practice, Dr. Whitfield-Cargile discovered a passion for equine clinical research; specifically, in the areas of patient care, teaching, and developing novel methods to improve healing in horses. He currently serves as an assistant professor of large animal surgery with Texas A&M.

“We are delighted to honor Dr. Whitfield-Cargile and thank him for continuing his education and career toward equine research,” said AAEP Foundation Chairman Jeff Berk, VMD. “If our knowledge of horse health is going to continue to advance, we must encourage and financially support more veterinarians to become researchers like Dr. Whitfield-Cargile.”

The AAEP Foundation established the Past Presidents’ Research Fellow in 2006. The award is made possible through the monetary contributions of AAEP past presidents. 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 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.