Announcement on Changes to the American Academy of Veterinary Nutrition/WALTHAM® Partnership (January 29, 2018)
WALTHAM® is committed to supporting initiatives that support development of early careers scientists. Encouraging early careers scientists to develop a rewarding career in pet nutrition and encourage growth in pet nutrition science is part of how we support our company purpose of ‘A Better World for Pets’. An important factor in achieving this is by partnering with professional scientific societies like the AAVN. Having reviewed how we currently partner with the AAVN both through the research grant and student presentation awards, we will make some changes in order to put more focus on supporting and benefiting early career scientists.
What will change?
We will continue to support the student presentation award. This award provides a travel bursary to enable the recipient to attend and present their research at the European Society of Comparative and Veterinary Nutrition symposium (usually held the September following the AAVN Clinical Nutrition and Research symposium). However, we will discontinue the WALTHAM®/AAVN Research Grant award. Whilst we understand that some members will be disappointed about this decision, we believe the investment could be better used to benefit MORE early careers research scientists.
We are currently discussing ideas and opportunities with the AAVN Executive Committee on how we can partner to utilize our direct and ‘in kind’ support to benefit a wider number of early careers research scientists. If you have any ideas or suggestions for initiatives to support early careers scientist please contact either:
- Dr. Wilbur B. Amand, AAVN Executive Director (wbamand@aol.com)
- Dr. Richard Butterwick, Global Nutrition Advisor – WALTHAM® Centre for Pet Nutrition (Richard.Butterwick@effem.com)
When will this happen?
This change will be effective January 1, 2018.
