Meet Dr. Mireya Becero Lopez

Mireya Becero López, Large Animal Internal Medicine

Veterinary School: Cordoba University, Spain

1: What drew you to this position at Cummings School?

I grew up riding horses and always knew I wanted to dedicate my career to them in some way. After graduating from veterinary school in Spain, I completed a rotating internship at an equine hospital, where I discovered how much I enjoyed the hospital environment and developed a strong interest in Internal Medicine.

Living abroad had always been one of my dreams, so I applied for a specialty internship in Internal Medicine at Tufts University [Cummings School]. That experience helped me grow both personally and professionally and confirmed my desire to pursue residency training.

What I value most about Cummings School is working in a teaching environment, while also caring for a wide variety of species—from horses and small ruminants to, occasionally, more exotic patients like zebras and giraffes.

2: What have you been surprised to learn during your tenure here (about veterinary medicine, Cummings School, or yourself)?

Throughout both my internship and residency, I discovered a genuine passion for working with a variety of species beyond horses. Over time, I’ve become more confident and comfortable managing these cases. I developed a particular interest in small ruminant medicine, with goats capturing my attention in a way I hadn’t expected. Having had little prior experience with them, I was surprised to find how fascinating and rewarding working with goats is, and this has become one of the most enriching aspects of my journey.

3: What are you hoping to do after you complete your time at Cummings School?

My goal is to keep growing as a specialist while also supporting and mentoring interns, residents, and students. I truly enjoy clinical work, but teaching is something I find equally meaningful, and I hope to build a career that combines both.

I’d also love to stay involved in research projects that help advance veterinary medicine. Ideally, I see myself working in a hospital setting with a mixed caseload, caring for both equine and ruminant patients.

4: Can you share an experience from your time here at Cummings School that stands out to you – a patient, case, owner, faculty, etc.?

One particularly memorable case was one of my first emergency goat dystocia, which I managed in collaboration with my senior resident at the time, Dr. Lauren Holley. Despite financial limitations, I performed my first epidural, and as a team we were able to successfully resolve the case, resulting in the delivery of a healthy kid. In a touching gesture, the owners chose to name the kid after us.

5: What brings you joy professionally?

I love working with neonates, especially sick foals. While these cases can be intense and at times very challenging, they are also among the most rewarding. Watching a foal come into the hospital barely able to stand, and then seeing it brighten up, start eating, gain weight, and eventually go home strong and healthy —it’s one of the best feelings as an internist. I also enjoy the unpredictability of emergencies and the adrenaline rush of not knowing exactly what you’ll find when you walk into a case.

6: Anything else you would like to share?

I’d like to encourage young veterinarians especially, and, in general, the wider veterinary community to keep pushing for better work environments. Burnout is, unfortunately, very common in our field, but I truly believe we can work together to create healthier, more supportive workplaces where people can enjoy what they do.