The deadline for contributing to the first research crowdfunding project at the University of Kentucky (UK) is March 10.

Martin Nielsen, DVM, PhD, Dipl. EVPC, an equine parasitologist, veterinarian and assistant professor at the UK Gluck Equine Research Center, launched the crowdfunding project titled, “Let the germs get the worms: Testing a novel probiotic compound for treatment of equine parasites,” in January. Nielsen’s crowdfunding project is possibly the first such effort in the field of veterinary science. He started with an ultimate goal of raising $30,000 with defined funding milestones along the way. The crowdfunding campaign is close to its first milestone of $5,000, with more than 50 individual donors from the United States, Canada, Australia, and several European countries having contributed.

“We are highly grateful for the tremendous support we’ve received thus far,” Nielsen said. “Reaching the first milestone will enable us to test our bacterial product against equine ascarid roundworms under laboratory conditions. Ascarids are a major problem in foals, as they have become highly drug-resistant and are the cause of severe small intestinal impactions.”

Crowdfunding is a relatively new term that describes reaching out to the general public, usually through the Internet, to reach a fundraising goal. Success in reaching the goal often depends on many individuals making smaller donations through a website. The crowdfunding campaign is hosted at https://equineparasitology.ca.uky.edu/. Guests can sign up for more information, make online donations, access videos and educational information and ask Nielsen exclusive questions about parasite control. Featured videos on the site have been viewed more than 1,500 times since it launched