Winner revealed for 2026 Michael J. Day Scholarship
Tara Bahadur Pun will examine leptospirosis in Nepal's free-roaming dogs.
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has named Tara Bahadur Pun as the winner of its Michael J. Day Scholarship for 2026.
The funding will support Mr Bahadur Pun’s One Health project, which will examine the presence of the zoonotic disease leptospirosis in free-roaming dogs in Nepal. It is hoped that the fourth-year veterinary student’s findings will improve understanding of the disease and inform vaccination strategies.
Tara Bahadur Pun, who studies at the Agriculture and Forestry University in Nepal, titled the project ‘Leptospira Seroprevalence and Molecular Epidemiology in Free-Roaming Dogs of Nepal: Implications for Vaccine Coverage and Public Health'.
The project is inspired by Mr Bahadur Pun’s strong interest in research and One Health. He has been involved with One Health Nepal, through which he has contributed to community awareness of zoonotic disease, health camps in rural areas and educational activities which promote the One Health approach.
His project will be supervised by experienced supervisors from his university, including Professor Rebanta Kumar Bhattarai and Professor Hom Bahadur Basnet.
He said: “This scholarship provides a rare and invaluable opportunity to carry out a high-impact research project from the ground up, and I am excited to contribute meaningful evidence to the fields of companion animal infectious diseases, vaccinology, and public health.”
Speaking on behalf of the WSAVA Vaccination Committee, chairperson Professor Mary Marcondes said: “We are delighted to support Tara’s research through the Michael J. Day Scholarship. His project addresses an important infectious disease at the intersection of companion animal health and public health, reflecting Professor Day’s commitment to advancing veterinary science through research and education.
“We look forward to following his progress and seeing how his findings can contribute to our understanding of leptospirosis and vaccination strategies in Nepal.”
The WSAVA Michael J. Day Scholarship was created in memory of Prof Michael J. Day, who chaired the WSAVA Vaccination Guidelines Group from 2009 until March 2020. It honours his commitment to evidence-based veterinary medicine, global education and improving companion animal health.
Image © Kristin Greenwood/Shutterstock.com
Companies marketing medicines for small pets exempt from authorisation must submit their annual return to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) by 30 November 2026.
