Kassandra Crissman wins prized 2025 Nandi Theriogenology Scholarship
June 02, 2025
Dr. Kassandra Crissman
LSU School of Veterinary Medicine 2025 graduate Dr. Kassandra Crissman has won one of the most competitive scholarships in veterinary reproductive medicine, the 2025 Nandi Theriogenology Scholarship.
Awarded annually by the Theriogenology Foundation, the Nandi Scholarship recognizes only four veterinary students nationwide who demonstrate exceptional potential for clinical and scholarly excellence, as well as leadership in theriogenology, a specialized branch of veterinary medicine focused on animal reproduction.
Dr. Crissman is the second LSU student to receive the honor. Dr. Kalie Beckers won in 2024.
“I will be a small animal rotating intern at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. The Nandi Scholarship will supplement my salary. As an undergraduate, I worked in the Dr. Jennifer Sones Lab. It gave me research experience, which helped me pursue my veterinary education,” Dr. Crissman said.
She graduated with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine on May 16.
Dr. Clare Scully, associate professor of food animal health maintenance at LSU, nominated Dr. Crissman for the scholarship. She also received recommendations from Dr. Jenny Sones, at Colorado State University, and Dr. Viviane Gomes, at Michigan State University.
“Drs. Scully, Sones, and Gomes were mentors of mine at LSU, and without them none of this would have been possible,” Dr. Crissman said.
“Kassie is an exceptional individual whose academic, professional, and personal qualities consistently demonstrate a remarkable level of scholarship, dedication, and leadership potential. Throughout her time at LSU, she has shown an unwavering commitment to veterinary medicine, particularly in the field of theriogenology, where her research and clinical work have consistently exceeded expectations,” said Dr. Scully.
Dr. Crissman has presented her research at national symposia and has been recognized for her ability to convey complex scientific concepts clearly and effectively.
Dr. Crissman will receive an award of $7,500 and be recognized at the Society of Theriogenology annual Therio Conference in July 2025. She was a 2023 Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research Veterinary Student Research Fellow and was a 2022 Summer Scholar.
“My goal is to ultimately be a well-rounded veterinarian prior to any specialization. Ultimately my goal is to become a theriogenologist,” Dr. Crissman said.
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