Five veterinary students have been awarded scholarships supporting their pursuit of careers in poultry medicine and health. The scholarships, presented through a partnership between the American Association of Avian Pathologists (AAAP) Foundation and Merck Animal Health, provide $10,000 to each recipient. The awards were announced during the AAAP Annual Meeting, held July 28-30 in Orlando, Fla. The 2026 recipients are Miranda Carrisosa Gibbes of Michigan State University; Mackenzie Ripper of North Carolina State University; Christian Rushing of Mississippi State University; Kelci Teel of Texas Tech University; and Kristy Ling Trung of the University of Georgia. The 2026 scholarship recipients awarded by Merck Animal Health and the American Association of Avian Pathologists Foundation include (from left): Kristy Ling Trung, Miranda Carrisosa Gibbes, Kelci Teel and Mackenzie Ripper. Not pictured: Christian Rushing. Photo courtesy Merck Animal Health The students bring experience in areas including poultry research, diagnostics, pathology, production and flock health. Their career goals include working as poultry production or field veterinarians and advancing animal health, welfare and sustainable poultry production. The scholarship program marks the 11th year of the partnership and has provided more than $280,000 in scholarships to veterinary students to date. The AAAP Foundation supports education and professional development related to poultry health, while the AAAP promotes scientific knowledge aimed at improving poultry health, welfare and productivity. For more information, visit the Merck Animal Health website.
