We announce the winners of the 2023 Veterinary Evidence Student Awards

Students from the University of Surrey and two Australian universities – Murdoch University in Perth and the University of Sydney – have been recognised in the Veterinary Evidence Student Awards 2023.

The Awards are an opportunity for young professionals to hone their academic and research skills by writing and submitting a Knowledge Summary – which uses evidence to answer a specific and focused clinical question – to our open access, peer-reviewed journal, Veterinary Evidence.  

Surrey student Rebecca Hearne took home the top prize for her Knowledge Summary on the use of prazosin to treat urethral obstruction in male cats.

Speaking of her win, Rebecca said: “During my time in practice I had experienced mixed opinions from practitioners of the use of prazosin in preventing recurrent urethral obstruction in male cats. I challenged myself to go through the publication process. 

“It is rewarding knowing I have been able to contribute to the available evidence base and influence clinical decisions.”

Second place was awarded to University of Sydney student Rachel Garrett for her Knowledge Summary which investigated treatment of cats with feline immunodeficiency virus. She said: “I wanted to challenge myself to produce a Knowledge Summary of high quality which could make a meaningful contribution to the veterinary industry's evidence base.”

Ebony Crump from Murdoch University was awarded third place for her Knowledge Summary, ‘Effectiveness of F3 feline facial pheromone analogue for acute stress reduction within clinical veterinary practice.’

“I felt very well supported by the program, and all resources needed to complete the project were provided,” said Ebony. “The peer reviewers gave wonderful feedback that really helped me reflect and improve upon my work.”

RCVS Knowledge Chief Executive Officer Katie Mantell said: “I’d like to congratulate all the award winners whose papers have helped to grow the evidence base in the treatment of cats. It’s fantastic to see so many students contributing to evidence-based veterinary medicine and I hope it’s something they’ll continue to do throughout their careers. If you’re an undergraduate student and have an interest in improving your research skills, I’d urge you to write a Knowledge Summary and submit it now for next year’s awards.”  

Applications for the 2025 Veterinary Evidence Student Awards open in February 2024, with prizes of up to £200 for the first, second and third best entries. All submissions will be considered for publication in Veterinary Evidence, including those which do not receive an award. 

For more information visit: https://veterinaryevidence.org/index.php/ve/veterinary-evidence-student-award