Andrea Viani-Duggan, an incoming final-year Graduate Entry Veterinary Medicine student and UCD Veterinary Medicine Student Ambassador, has been awarded a place on the internationally prestigious Morris Animal Foundation Veterinary Student Scholar Program.
This competitive programme supports veterinary students conducting impactful research to advance animal health and welfare. Andrea’s project, supervised by Dr. Arun Kumar, addresses topical issues in companion animal care: the safety of cannabidiol (CBD) products in dogs.
CBD pet products have surged in popularity - in the United States, nearly 60% of dog owners report using CBD as an adjunctive treatment for veterinary-diagnosed conditions. Despite the booming market—projected to grow by over $3 billion this year since 2021— many questions remain about the accuracy of dosage labelling, product claims, and safety for animal use.
Andrea’s research seeks to fill this gap. Using network pharmacology, she will identify cannabinoid compounds present in CBD pet products, and the molecular targets they influence in dogs. By evaluating how these compounds interact with specific organ systems at therapeutic doses, Andrea aims to develop a robust safety profile for the widely used CBD pet products. Her ultimate goal is to provide evidence-based recommendations to improve product safety and guide the veterinary and pet care industries.
Speaking about the award, Andrea said:
“I am honoured to be in receipt of this award, and would like to thank the Morris Animal Foundation for this incredible opportunity. Over the many years I have spent in companion animal practice as an aspiring veterinary surgeon, I discovered that there is an ever increasing availability of CBD products for dogs. However, there is much yet to be discovered about their long term safety of use - my project serves to fill this gap in our knowledge. To make such an important contribution towards defining the safety profile of these products in dogs, at such an early stage of my career, is a dream come true!’”.
Dr. Arun Kumar said:
“Andrea embodies the excellence we strive for at UCD. Her selection for the Morris Animal Foundation Scholar Program is a proud moment for our veterinary community”.
We proudly recognise Andrea’s achievement and celebrate her commitment to advancing veterinary science.
Learn more about the Morris Animal Foundation and the awards at this (opens in a new window)link.