Student Receives Grant to Study Shoulder Injuries in Birds

This past summer, student, Charity Uman, received a $4,000 grant from the Morris Animal Foundation’s Veterinary Student Scholars Program, to study shoulder injuries in birds admitted for rehabilitation.  Under the direction of Dr. Mark Pokras, Director of Tufts Cummings Center of Conservation Medicine and the Tufts Wildlife Clinic, Charity received training in interpreting avian radiographs and performing necropsies for obtaining diagnostic samples.  Charity also attended continuing education lectures when available.

Her independent research entitled, “Investigation of Specific Pathological Changes Associated with Coracosternal Luxations in Birds Admitted for Rehabilitation” will be submitted for publication.  Charity said,” This was a great experience!  The wildlife hospital is amazing.  The staff and faculty there were great, very enthusiastic about teaching and studying wildlife and environmental issues.”

According to the Morris Animal Foundation, this award is highly competitive, awarding only 20-30 grants to veterinary students from the U.S and abroad. 

Charity will be presenting her research findings in a Poster session at the Morris Animal Foundation’s Annual Meeting next summer in Colorado. 

For more information, go to www.morrisanimalfoundation.org or contact Charity Uman at cjuman@gmail.com.