Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
Kendall Kindzierski is smiling, wearing glasses and a cap and is standing in the woods holding a small lizard in her hand.

Kendall Kindzierski, VG26

Kendall Kindzierski is smiling, wearing glasses and a cap and is standing in the woods holding a small lizard in her hand.

Biography

Michigan
M.S. in Conservation Medicine ‘26
Zoology, concentrations: Neurobiology and Animal Behavior; Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology
Michigan State University 2025

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 an MS in Conservation Medicine because I deeply support proactive responses over reactive actions, especially when it comes to disease prevention and conservation. Protecting and advocating for animals and nature will directly benefit human health, and conservation medicine is one of the biggest advocates of interdisciplinary science. I did not realize there was such a perfect interdisciplinary approach to medical and natural science. Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine has exactly the type of niche I want to pursue and incredible opportunities for mentorship by faculty and connections that will last a lifetime.

What are your interests and/or experience relative to conservation medicine?
I went on a conservation medicine-oriented study abroad program in my undergrad and I absolutely loved it. I led a research project that semester monitoring the presence of invasive mammals in Pukerua Bay, New Zealand, and assisted with other projects such as attempts to find antibiotics in the soil of isolated islands.

What are your career goals after completing the program?
I would like to continue going in academia, contributing, and leading research related to epidemiology, animal behavior, and zoonotic diseases.