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CVM Grad Student Ziegler Wins Young Investigator Award

Amanda Ziegler
Amanda Ziegler, Ph.D. Candidate

NC State College of Veterinary Medicine graduate student Amanda Ziegler received this year’s Young Investigator Award at the National Veterinary Scholars Symposium Aug. 4 for her translational gastrointestinal research.

The honor, sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association and its charitable foundation, recognizes scientific advancements made by graduate veterinarians pursuing advanced research training.

Ziegler is pursuing a Ph.D. as a research assistant in the Gastrointestinal Physiology Lab of Anthony Blikslager, CVM professor of equine surgery and gastroenterology. She is currently focused on studying the postnatal development of epithelial barrier repair in the intestine, and took home the award for study, “Neonatal defect in subacute barrier repair is rescued by juvenile mucosal homogenate in a pig model of intestinal ischemia and repair.”

“I am very passionate about the work I presented and I am grateful to receive this award in recognition of that,” said Ziegler. “I’m looking forward to a long career working toward improving outcomes in humans and animal patients with intestinal disease.”

CVM students accounted for half of the six Young Investigator Award finalists. Along with Ziegler, NC State finalists included postdoctoral research scholar Alix Berglund and graduate research assistant Amy Stieler Stewart.

Previous winners include CVM researchers-turned-faculty members Johanna Elfenbein, assistant professor of equine medicine; Derek Foster, assistant professor of ruminant health management; and Debra Tokarz, a comparative veterinary anatomic pathologist.

For more information on the CVM’s Gastrointestinal Physiology Laboratory, go here.