Elizabeth Breitmeyer, VG25

California         
M.S. in Conservation Medicine ‘25
Biology, concentration Physiology and Organismal Biology
Boston College 2024

Why did you choose to pursue this degree, and why did you choose Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine to pursue this degree?
I chose to pursue this degree because I am passionate about addressing and learning about the myriad of challenges facing our ecosystems, animals, and communities. Conservation medicine and the One Health approach enable us to look at these problems through a wider lens and better understand the interconnected nature of our world. I believe that this degree will give me the skills and connections necessary to develop a career in conservation that will allow me to make positive change on our planet. I chose Cummings School for this degree because of the small cohort size allowing for deeper connections and individualized attention, the emphasis of real-world experiences through externships, and its interdisciplinary nature.

What are your interests and/or experience relative to conservation medicine?
Throughout my undergraduate studies I catered my coursework towards ecology, our environment, and the impacts of a changing planet on the natural world and humans alike. During my summers I worked as an R&D intern at a company converting waste into sustainable fuel and acted as a research assistant for a group researching and implementing biodiversity and conservation management approaches in Mexico. As a research assistant I gained field experience and helped collect primary data for research focused on forest ecology and the impacts of changing climate on the organisms and communities located in and near a reserve in the Yucatán Peninsula.

What are your career goals after completing the program?
While I am not yet entirely sure where my path will take me, ideally, I will be able to use my education and experiences to contribute meaningfully to the field of conservation medicine through a career aimed at protecting and improving the health of species and ecosystems across the planet. I aim to work on conservation projects that positively affect the natural world and associated communities, creating sustainable practices that can be carried into the future.