Biography
Kingsport, Tennessee
B.S. Zoology, Minors in Animal Science, Evolutionary Biology, and Genetics, North Carolina State University, 2021
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 a degree in Conservation Medicine due to its unique nature and overarching goals of conservation. I was very compelled by the integrative nature of this degree and its ability to combine all my work from my undergraduate studies into one program. By utilizing the One Health approach, conservation medicine is helping solve problems currently plaguing the world, and I wanted to be a part of that growing field. I chose Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine due to the incredible opportunities that I would be provided. Additionally, I felt the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine took pride in its students and wanted them to succeed not only in their graduate studies, but in their future endeavors.
What are your interests and/or experience relative to your program?
I am interested in expanding my knowledge of the reintroduction of species as well as conservation/captive breeding programs. I have experience with conservation from my time working as a zookeeper where I had the opportunity to teach others about the conservation of endangered species while also working with those same animals to learn more about them. I also have experience from my undergraduate research working with various citizen science projects helping to engage the community in scientific research.
What are your career goals after completing the program?
After completing this program, I hope to work with a group that either reintroduces species into their natural habitat, or one that uses pair-matching to help find the best genetic matches to work towards the conservation of species.