Published February, 2011

Kentucky Equine Research (KER) has established a graduate student fellowship at the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture to honor the memory of Larry Lawrence, PhD, who was a valued KER employee for many years.

The Lawrence Fellowship, worth more than $25,000 per year, will fund a graduate student in a study program related to applied equine sciences.

The first fellowship recipient is Catherine Whitehouse, a former KER intern who earned an equine science degree from Lincoln University in England, where she prepared a dissertation on seasonal changes in nonstructural carbohydrate accumulation in pasture grasses as related to the etiology of laminitis.

"KER looks forward to supporting the University of Kentucky's goal of improving the health and well-being of horses through the education of graduate students at the UK College of Agriculture," said Joe Pagan, PhD, founder and president of KER.

Whitehouse will be advised by Bob Coleman, PhD, assistant professor in the Animal and Food Sciences Department and the associate director of the Equine Initiative.

"An important goal of the College of Agriculture's Equine Initiative is to provide relevant programs for Kentucky's signature industry," said Nancy Cox, PhD, associate dean for research at the UK College of Agriculture and the administrative lead of UK's Equine Initiative. "To have an important industrial partner like KER provide a fellowship of this magnitude is an expression of confidence in our programs that is much appreciated."

Lawrence joined KER in 2002, when he accepted the responsibilities of leading the company's technical staff and providing support for the company's stateside and international clients.

"I had the pleasure of knowing Larry for over 25 years," said Pagan. "I will always remember Larry as a superb horseman, a talented nutritionist, and a friend. Larry had a rare gift that allowed him to communicate complex nutritional principles in terms that horsemen could understand. His contribution to equine nutrition and KER was substantial."

Kentucky Equine Research (KER) is a private equine nutrition and exercise physiology research center. As an international equine nutrition, research, and consultation company serving both the horse producer and the feed industry, KER's goal is to advance the industry's knowledge of equine nutrition and exercise physiology and apply this knowledge to produce healthier, more athletic horses at all stages of life.

Kim Brown is Global Marketing Manager for Kentucky Equine Research