Support from the Matilda R. Wilson Chair in Large Animal Clinical Sciences, along with the Matilda R. Wilson Equine Respiratory Disease Research Endowment, gave Robinson the freedom to pursue and develop new ideas to a stage where they could be funded by extramural sources.

Failures, Robinson says often, are part of research. Endowed funds helped him break new ground in science, and it also allowed him, as director of the Equine Pulmonary Laboratory, to concentrate his research on equine respiratory diseases.

“There are few agencies that fund horse research,” Robinson says. “And those limited resources are in high demand. The Matilda Wilson Endowment has allowed me to focus on diseases unique to the horse. The endowments let us pursue new ideas and develop them before we apply for funds from extramural sources. I consider myself extremely fortunate to occupy such a prestigious position."

In 2012, Robinson and Dr. Patricia O’Handley, former MSU professor, established an endowed fund that supports the travel of DVMs to non-veterinary conferences. Now, in planning his estate, Robinson is establishing an endowment that will support the training of equine disease investigators.

Robinson’s contributions to equine health will continue on in his research and the students he has mentored. The endowment is a way to ensure that Michigan State University equine researchers will continue to have the freedom to pursue and develop new ideas that will advance science and generate new knowledge.

Posted: May 2014