Laura at the RVC with training horse Green Wellies

A STUDENT in Times Territory will join a select band of horse disease experts when she completes her latest course next year.

Laura Salonen will become a global authority on equine clinical epidemiology when she finishes the European College of Veterinary Public Health (ECVPH) diploma.

The 33-year-old, who is originally from Finland, has spent the past three years on a residency at the Royal Veterinary College in Brookmans Park, after receiving a bursary from a charity called The Horse Trust.

She will be awarded the diploma when she completes her final exams in 2011.

Laura said that studying equine epidemiology – the analysis of factors which affect health and cause illness in horses – had been a long-term ambition.

“I love horses and have always been interested in preventive medicine and research,” she said.

“Equine epidemiology combines all three interests.

Laura, who is a qualified vet, added: “I always dreamed about doing research in epidemiology, so getting the Horse Trust scholarship fulfilled that dream.

“The scholarship is one of very few opportunities worldwide to do a residency in equine epidemiology and so I feel very lucky to have got it.

“Once I qualify, I will be one of only a handful of diplomate equine epidemiologists in Europe.”

After completing her diploma, Laura will be returning to Finland to start a PhD on the transmission of bacteria between pigs and humans.

For more information about The Horse Trust, click on the link, right