Photo Caption: The 2025 Merck Animal Health Bovine Student Recognition Award winners received $10,000 each at the 2025 American Association of Bovine Practitioners 58th Annual Conference in Omaha, Neb. Sept. 11-13. L-R: Dr. Lowell Midla; Kaden Eisenbraun, University of Minnesota; Gus (Aaron) Peterson, Iowa State University; Matt Holton, University of Georgia; Thomas Christensen II, Kansas State University; Brian Birkenhagen, University of Calgary; Kagan Migl, Texas Tech University; AABP President Dr. Dave Sjeklocha of Merck Animal Health. Not pictured: Eliza Merges, University of Minnesota; Maggie Moe, Texas Tech University; Chance Marsh, Washington State University.
RAHWAY, N.J., Sept. 17, 2025 – Merck Animal Health, known as MSD Animal Health outside of the United States and Canada, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA (NYSE:MRK), today announced it has awarded $90,000 in scholarships to nine future bovine veterinarians in partnership with the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) Foundation. Recipients of the Merck Animal Health Bovine Veterinary Student Recognition Award were selected based on their academic achievements, career goals, work experience and interest in veterinary medicine.
The scholarships were recently awarded at the 2025 AABP Annual Conference, held Sept. 12-14 in Omaha, Neb. The 2025 scholarship recipients, each receiving $10,000, include:
- Brian Birkenhagen, University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Class of 2026
- Thomas Christensen, Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Class of 2026
- Kaden Eisenbraun, University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, Class of 2027
- Matthew Holton, University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, Class of 2026
- Chance Marsh, Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Class of 2026
- Eliza Merges, University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, Class of 2026
- Kagan Migl, Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine, Class of 2027
- Maggie Taylor Moe, Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine, Class of 2026
- Aaron (Gus) Peterson, Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Class of 2026
“Merck Animal Health is proud to support the next generation of veterinary professionals who are passionate about advancing animal health and welfare,” said Dave Sjeklocha, D.V.M., technical services manager at Merck Animal Health and president of the AABP Board of Directors. “These scholarships recognize exceptional students who demonstrate the dedication and potential to make a meaningful impact in the veterinary profession.”
“The partnership between Merck Animal Health and the AABP Foundation is vital in fostering the growth of future leaders in bovine practice,” said Fred Gingrich II, D.V.M., executive director of AABP. “We congratulate this year’s scholars and look forward to their contributions to the veterinary profession and the cattle industry in the years to come.”
Founded in 1965, AABP is an international association of more than 5,000 veterinarians and veterinary students who serve as leaders in cattle health, welfare and productivity. To learn more, visit aabp.org.
