Published: 25 May 2018 | Last Updated: 25 May 2018 15:43:03

Congratulations to Alice Denyer, who has won the Kennel Club's International Canine Health Postgraduate Student Inspiration award to help further her research into the genetic differences between individual dog breeds that are susceptible to pancreatic diseases such as diabetes. Alice’s project will investigate the differences between Samoyeds which have a high prevalence of diabetes, and Boxers which have a tendency to develop a specific type of tumour affecting the same cells as diabetes, with the hope that in the future she will also be able to look at the genes of other breeds including Tibetan and Cairn Terriers. It is hoped that in time, Alice’s project could also pave the way for similar studies to be carried out for other diseases in dogs, through the creation and development of techniques used to investigate canine genetics.  Alice is a LiDO PhD student, supervised by Professors Brian Catchpole and Lucy Davison.  

Alice received her award at the sixth International Canine Health Awards that took place on 22nd May 2018 at the Kennel Club in London.  The event celebrated the work of some of the world's finest researchers and scientists whose work has had a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of dogs.  Launched at Crufts in 2012, the International Canine Health Awards were developed to recognise and reward innovative researchers, veterinary scientists and students who are significantly impacting the health and well-being of dogs. The awards are judged by a panel of influential representatives from the veterinary profession and the world of scientific research. 

Alice will be using her award as further funding for her research investigating the genetics of canine diabetes and insulinoma with the Canine Diabetes Genetics Partnership, as well as to support her career development.