Biography
Carroll County, Maryland
B.S. Environmental Science, Concentration in Biology, Minor in Animal Science
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 because the natural world means, well, the world to me. I grew up spending all of my free time outside, from mud pies to hiking to traveling, I fell in love with what Mother Nature has created. The last thing I want is for future generations to miss out on the spectacle of it all. I want to study conservation medicine because I truly believe a one-health approach to world issues might be the solution we’ve all been looking for. While I have always considered veterinary medicine as a career path and while Cummings School might be the only school in the country to offer such a master’s program, I wouldn’t have chosen otherwise. Cummings School has a rich history of wildlife medicine and education which I think is a great foundation for a program such as MCM.
What are your interests and/or experience relative to your program?
My interests lie in marine and ocean health as well as in sustainable agriculture, though often can be persuaded to just about anything from big cats to malnutrition and environmental education. Before starting this program, I worked extensively with leatherback sea turtles doing research on a newly emerging disease found to affect the species, as well as contributing to leatherback conservation field efforts and education in Costa Rica. I also spent some time working in the Galapagos at the giant tortoise breeding center and learning about sustainability on the islands. Through experience in undergrad classes I had the opportunity to participate in a multitude of community outreach programs from education days to working on and starting community produce gardens.
What are your career goals after completing the program?
To be completely candid I do not know where my career path will lead upon finishing this program. I am looking into possibly a veterinary degree or a PhD after graduation. As for a career, thinking long term, 10 to 15 years from now, I think I would enjoy working as a professor at a university and/or starting my own NGO.