Lindsey Kastelle, VG25

Minnesota / Colorado
M.S. in Conservation Medicine ‘25
Psychology, emphasis Pharmaceutical Science, minor Biology
Western Colorado University

Why did you choose to pursue this degree, and why did you choose Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine to pursue this degree?
I chose Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine for this master’s because of the ability to work closely with Tufts School of Medicine and Tufts School of Engineering. Post graduation I hope to be involved in international work and the MCM program at Cummings School provides international connections that drew me in.

What are your interests and/or experience relative to conservation medicine?
My interests lie in the connection of wildlife trafficking to drug and human trafficking. I focused on pharmaceutical science and wildlife biology during undergrad and am pursuing a career that focuses on international policy making. One of my focuses during my time at Cummings School is researching how I can turn psychosocial factors into quantitative data. I plan to research psychosocial factors by immersing myself into research of key countries that are weaved into the international trafficking of wildlife, drugs and humans. I can then turn the psychosocial factors into quantitative data that can be utilized by international agencies for policy making.

What are your career goals after completing the program?
Post graduation I hope to build on connections I make during my externship that open doors into the international workforce. My goal is to enter a PhD program that encompasses international policy making.