Considered one of the leading equine laminitis researchers in the world, Belknap, an associate professor of equine surgery in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at The Ohio State University, received the grant from the Barbaro Memorial Fund.

The new study, "Effect of Digital Hypothermia on Inflammatory Injury in Laminitis," is a two-year project funded by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Charities - Barbaro Memorial Fund, established in memory of the 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro. In addition to his latest work, Belknap has been principal investigator on eight other laminitis research projects, totaling $1.5 million, funded by the USDA, Morris Animal Foundation and the Grayson Jockey Club Research Foundation.

He received his DVM from Colorado State University and has worked at Ohio State for four years as a surgeon.