I have always wanted to make an impact in both my local community, and communities internationally. As my love for veterinary medicine and animal healthcare has grown throughout life, I have realized that I love how much of an impact I can have on a family or community just by being involved in an animal's life. Throughout my work as a licensed veterinary technologist in small animal critical care and neurology, I have seen how changing one pet’s life can make a world of difference for a family going through the stages of life and illness for animals they love. Similarly, being able to educate global communities on the importance of endangered species protection and habitat preservation has been an incredibly impactful and rewarding experience for me. From working in Thailand with elephants to volunteering in South Africa with cheetahs, I have learned more about how the utilization of One Health initiatives has improved the outlook of communities on preserving ecosystems and strengthening the relationship between animals and humans. My passion for small animal emergency and conservation medicine has only grown throughout my education as a future veterinarian, and I hope to continue engaging in community efforts to strengthen veterinary care throughout the world in my approaching career as a practicing veterinarian. After graduation from Cornell’s veterinary college, I hope to complete a small animal rotating internship. As my main interests within the field are small animal emergency and zoo/conservation medicine, I want to refine my clinical skills through mentored support prior to pursuing my interests independently. Beyond completion of the internship, I hope to continue being able to participate in global conservation medicine efforts. Whether it be in an underrepresented community within North America, such as isolated areas of Alaska, or areas needing global outreach and support, I want to continue teaching communities about the importance of animal health care, species preservation, and human interactions. Throughout each year, once I am an established veterinarian, I want to be able to travel to parts of the world that may need a veterinarian to volunteer for a time and help with treatment and examination of endangered species in rehabilitation, or wild animals needing interventional medicine to maintain their health in the wild. This way, I will be able to support the community and give back to the people who have helped shape me into who I am today. One of my big goals upon completion of my veterinary education, is that I hope to work in Alaska for a period to help bring veterinary care to communities that might be more isolated from standard veterinary care. By doing this, I hope to give back to the greater community that has supported me throughout my academic journey first as an undergraduate veterinary technology student, and now as a veterinary medicine doctoral candidate. As a federally enrolled member of the Gwichyaa Zhee Gwich’in Tribal Government, I have had the honor to represent my tribal community in my education and work field. This has further allowed me to not only bring veterinary care to communities that need it, but also allows me to spread the respect and acknowledgment for the tribal people across the country. By combining the love of veterinary medicine with my love for my familial history, I hope to bring a greater impact on both communities through my future work as a veterinary professional.

Throughout my lifetime, I have had a multitude of experiences which have influenced me to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. My long-standing passion for animal health and science initially led me to explore the vast array of specialties within the field by working at small animal practices. I was eventually accepted into a veterinary oncologic internship, which piqued my interest in specialty care. I then pursued this new interest by working at a large multi-specialty and emergency center where I grew to love neurology. The combination of medicine and surgery is something that excites me, and I find myself enamored with the mixture of advanced imaging and precise surgical technique. Through my work in these enriching and diverse environments, my drive to explore and learn continued to grow and drew me to volunteer in Thailand at the Elephant Nature Park. I originally wanted to further my own knowledge on nursing and conservation efforts of elephants; however, I soon realized that these efforts were needed due to anthropogenic harm, whether that be intentional or a byproduct of human conflict, which caused a multitude of injuries. In seeing the wide breadth of injury, it was not only a culture shock, but also a reinforcement for the need for veterinary intervention, and subsequently, my drive to become a veterinarian grew stronger. During my time at the sanctuary, I worked primarily with a baby elephant that had stepped on a land mine while on an illegal trekking mission in a war zone along the borders of Myanmar. The calf sustained severe wounds, including loss of a distal left forelimb from the explosive, which resulted in a recurrent wound abscess. I learned that the size of these patients limits our options for care, and amputation could not be pursued. Instead we had to resort to basic wound cleansing and monitoring. Seeing an animal so young and already in so much pain really resonated with me. It is not only a question of helping animals, but also understanding the impact that humans have on the environment and how these interactions can affect our patients. While working with elephants and the surrounding community, the concept of One-Health has shown me the interconnectedness between ecosystems, people, and animals. To further my education on this approach, this past summer I interned in South Africa at a large cat sanctuary working to ethically conserve endangered species and participate in community education initiatives. This exposure not only magnified the importance of the ethical side of veterinary medicine, but also further solidified my dedication to continue conservation efforts as a veterinarian, alongside my primary passion for small animal neurosurgery. These experiences exemplify how veterinary professionals are critical in providing exceptional care to animals as well as advocating for their protection, and I possess the drive and devotion necessary to carry on those attributes.

Throughout my lifetime, I have had a multitude of experiences which have influenced me to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. My long-standing passion for animal health and science initially led me to explore the vast array of specialties within the field by working at small animal practices. I was eventually accepted into a veterinary oncologic internship, which piqued my interest in specialty care. I then pursued this new interest by working at a large multi-specialty and emergency center where I grew to love neurology. The combination of medicine and surgery is something that excites me, and I find myself enamored with the mixture of advanced imaging and precise surgical technique. Through my work in these enriching and diverse environments, my drive to explore and learn continued to grow and drew me to volunteer in Thailand at the Elephant Nature Park. I originally wanted to further my own knowledge on nursing and conservation efforts of elephants; however, I soon realized that these efforts were needed due to anthropogenic harm, whether that be intentional or a byproduct of human conflict, which caused a multitude of injuries. In seeing the wide breadth of injury, it was not only a culture shock, but also a reinforcement for the need for veterinary intervention, and subsequently, my drive to become a veterinarian grew stronger. During my time at the sanctuary, I worked primarily with a baby elephant that had stepped on a land mine while on an illegal trekking mission in a war zone along the borders of Myanmar. The calf sustained severe wounds, including loss of a distal left forelimb from the explosive, which resulted in a recurrent wound abscess. I learned that the size of these patients limits our options for care, and amputation could not be pursued. Instead we had to resort to basic wound cleansing and monitoring. Seeing an animal so young and already in so much pain really resonated with me. It is not only a question of helping animals, but also understanding the impact that humans have on the environment and how these interactions can affect our patients. While working with elephants and the surrounding community, the concept of One-Health has shown me the interconnectedness between ecosystems, people, and animals. To further my education on this approach, this past summer I interned in South Africa at a large cat sanctuary working to ethically conserve endangered species and participate in community education initiatives. This exposure not only magnified the importance of the ethical side of veterinary medicine, but also further solidified my dedication to continue conservation efforts as a veterinarian, alongside my primary passion for small animal neurosurgery. These experiences exemplify how veterinary professionals are critical in providing exceptional care to animals as well as advocating for their protection, and I possess the drive and devotion necessary to carry on those attributes.

I have always wanted to make an impact in my community. As my love for veterinary medicine and animal healthcare has grown throughout life, I have realized that I love the impact I can have on a family or community just by being involved in an animal's life. Throughout my work as a licensed veterinary technologist in small animal ER and specialty, I have seen how changing one pet’s life can make a world of difference for a family going through the stages of life and illness for an animal they love. Similarly, being able to help educate global communities on the importance of endangered species and their habitat preservation has been such a meaningful experience for me. Through my various veterinary experiences abroad, I have learned about how critical the outlook of communities on preserving species and strengthening the relationship between animals and humans is. After completion of my veterinary degree, I hope to continue being able to participate in global conservation medicine efforts. Whether it be in an underrepresented community within North America, such as isolated areas of Alaska, or areas needing global outreach and support, I want to be able to continue teaching communities about the importance of animal health care, species preservation, and the diversity of human interactions. As someone of Athabascan heritage, I have maintained access through the Doyon Foundation in Alaska to reinforce my cultural ties with my family’s heritage. By maintaining a relationship with this foundation, I have maintained a current awareness of my cultural background and the hardships that my ancestors have undergone. As a recognized member of the Gwichyaa Zhee Gwich'in Tribal Government, and it is a pride of mine to be able to educate my friends and community on the indigenous peoples of Alaska and our lack of representation and understanding in today’s societies. Therefore, three years from now I hope to be completing a small animal rotating internship or zoo medicine internship. Through completion of either internship, whichever accepts me, I hope to be a more confident and prepared veterinarian as I enter the work field. I would like to specifically work in underserved areas or areas needing a higher diversity and access to veterinary care. While I would love to work in a zoo setting, I think that my interests best align me to work on a sanctuary or reservation where I can work to help wildlife while also educating my community on the importance of native wildlife. Working with wildlife is so critical to me due to an animal interaction I had that I truly loved and will continue to love. This past summer I had the amazing opportunity to work with grey wolves. One such wolf was named Penn and his story had moved me incredibly. As a wolf rescued from a reservation after being held captive in an unethical way, his rescue and rehabilitation at the sanctuary I was at incredibly moved me. Seeing him become more of himself and gain back his confidence truly moved me and I gained a new bond and love for not only Penn, but also for all of the wolves that are held in captivity and are not able to express their true selves. Therefore, working with wildlife has such a personal impact on me seeing how humans can impact animals, but also I want to have an impact too on people in my community to help them also have a greater appreciation for the animals I love too.

I have always wanted to make an impact in my community. As my love for veterinary medicine and animal healthcare has grown throughout life, I have realized that I love how much of an impact I can have on a family or community just by being involved in an animal's life. Throughout my work as a licensed veterinary technologist in small animal ER/ICU, surgery, and neurology, I have seen how changing one pet’s life can make a world of difference for a family going through the stages of life and illness for an animal they love. Similarly, being able to help educate global communities on the importance of endangered species and their habitat preservation has been such a meaningful experience for me. From working in Thailand with elephants to volunteering in South Africa with cheetahs, I have learned more about how the utilization of the One Health initiative has improved the outlook of communities on preserving species and strengthening the relationship between animals and humans. My passion for small animal neurology and conservation medicine has only grown throughout my education as a future veterinarian. After graduation from Cornell’s veterinary college, I hope to complete a small animal rotating internship. As my main interests within the field are small animal neurology and zoo/conservation medicine, I want to be able to refine my clinical skills with mentored support prior to pursuing my interests independently. Beyond the completion of the internship, I hope to continue being able to participate in global conservation medicine efforts. Whether it be in an underrepresented community within North America, such as isolated areas of Alaska, or areas needing global outreach and support, I want to be able to continue teaching communities about the importance of animal health care, species preservation, and human interactions. Throughout each year I want to be able to travel to parts of the world that may need a veterinarian to volunteer for a time and help with treatment and examination of endangered species in rehabilitation, or wild animals needing interventional medicine to maintain their health in the wild. For tribal engagement, my mother was adopted out of an Athabaskan reservation in Alaska called the Native Village of Fort Yukon. While she was adopted out of tribe when she was born, my grandparents allowed her to maintain access through the Doyon Foundation in Alaska to maintain our cultural ties with our heritage. By maintaining a relationship with this foundation, I have maintained a current awareness of my cultural background and the roots I am related to. I am similarly now enrolled as a recognized member of the Native Village of Fort Yukon, and it is a pride of mine to be able to educate my friends and community on the indigenous tribes of Alaska. At Cornell, I am a member of our American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program (AIISP), and this program allows students of indigenous background to learn more about our communities and observe other cultural practices to continue the growth and recognition of indigenous traditions and history, especially in our prospective careers. As most of my class is from New York, I want to help emphasize the importance of a diverse work field so that there is a greater chance of sympathizing with more communities as we all progress through our education together. A more inclusive learning environment will then help with maintaining an inclusive workplace for all of us as we enter our careers as veterinarians while still maintaining recognition and support for underrepresented communities.

Throughout my lifetime, I have had a multitude of experiences which have influenced me to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. My long-standing passion for animal health initially led me to explore the vast array of specialties within the field by working at small animal practices. I was eventually accepted into a veterinary oncologic internship, which piqued my interest in specialty care. I pursued this new interest by working as an LVT at a large emergency and specialty center where I grew to love neurology. The combination of medicine and surgery truly excites me, and I find myself enamored with the mixture of advanced imaging and precise surgical technique. Through my work in these enriching and diverse environments, my drive to explore and learn continued to grow and drew me to volunteer in Thailand at the Elephant Nature Park. I originally wanted to further my own knowledge on nursing and conservation efforts of elephants; however, I soon realized that these efforts were needed due to anthropogenic harm, whether that be intentional or a byproduct of human conflict, which caused a multitude of injuries. In seeing the wide breadth of injury, it was not only a culture shock, but also a reinforcement for the need for veterinary intervention, and subsequently, my drive to become a veterinarian grew stronger. While working with elephants and the surrounding community, the concept of One-Health showed me the interconnectedness between ecosystems, people, and animals. To further my education on this approach, I had the opportunity to intern in South Africa at a large cat sanctuary to ethically conserve endangered species and participate in community education. This exposure not only magnified the importance of ethical veterinary medicine, but also solidified my dedication to continue conservation efforts as a veterinarian, alongside my primary passion for small animal neurosurgery. Working in neurology, there are many different cases ranging from seizures to back injuries, and I am always learning how to better comfort both animals and owners. Seeing how difficult the field is, I know that as I continue my education that I will continue to help the owners who love their animals. Through exceptional animal care, and advocating for their protection, I know that I am devoted to voicing patients' needs and alleviating owner distress. But in addition to neurology, I have grown a newfound respect for dermatology as well. One of my mentors at my job in Seattle has now moved to Cornell University to act as our dermatology professor, and having her as a constant source of guidance and knowledge has greatly deepened my respect for this critical specialty. I have found that there is such a complex system and associated diseases that relate to dermatological conditions, and I have loved learning more about it throughout my veterinary education. After graduation from Cornell, I aspire to complete a small animal rotating internship. As my main interests within the field are neurology and conservation medicine, I want to refine my skills with mentored support prior to pursuing my interests independently. Beyond the internship, I will continue to participate in global conservation efforts. Whether it be in underrepresented communities, such as isolated areas of Alaska, or areas needing global support, I want to continue teaching communities about the importance of animal health care, species preservation, and human interactions. Through the support of this scholarship, I will be able to further educate others on the need for compassionate veterinary care, in both hospitals and international communities, while still having the capability to improve my own knowledge.

Throughout my lifetime, I have had a multitude of experiences which have influenced me to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. My long-standing passion for animal health initially led me to explore the vast array of specialties within the field by working at small animal practices. I was eventually accepted into a veterinary oncologic internship, which piqued my interest in specialty care. I pursued this new interest by working as an LVT at a large emergency and specialty center where I grew to love neurology. The combination of medicine and surgery truly excites me, and I find myself enamored with the mixture of advanced imaging and precise surgical technique. Through my work in these enriching and diverse environments, my drive to explore and learn continued to grow and drew me to volunteer in Thailand at the Elephant Nature Park. I originally wanted to further my own knowledge on nursing and conservation efforts of elephants; however, I soon realized that these efforts were needed due to anthropogenic harm, whether that be intentional or a byproduct of human conflict, which caused a multitude of injuries. In seeing the wide breadth of injury, it was not only a culture shock, but also a reinforcement for the need for veterinary intervention, and subsequently, my drive to become a veterinarian grew stronger. While working with elephants and the surrounding community, the concept of One-Health showed me the interconnectedness between ecosystems, people, and animals. To further my education on this approach, I had the opportunity to intern in South Africa at a large cat sanctuary to ethically conserve endangered species and participate in community education. This exposure not only magnified the importance of ethical veterinary medicine, but also solidified my dedication to continue conservation efforts as a veterinarian, alongside my primary passion for small animal neurosurgery. Working in neurology, there are many different cases ranging from seizures to back injuries, and I am always learning how to better comfort both animals and owners. Seeing how difficult the field is, I know that as I continue my education that I will continue to help the owners who love their animals. Through exceptional animal care, and advocating for their protection, I know that I am devoted to voicing patients' needs and alleviating owner distress. After graduation from Cornell, I aspire to complete a small animal rotating internship. As my main interests within the field are neurology and conservation medicine, I want to refine my skills with mentored support prior to pursuing my interests independently. Beyond the internship, I will continue to participate in global conservation efforts. Whether it be in underrepresented communities, such as isolated areas of Alaska, or areas needing global support, I want to continue teaching communities about the importance of animal health care, species preservation, and human interactions. Through the support of this scholarship, I will be able to further educate others on the need for compassionate veterinary care, in both hospitals and international communities, while still having the capability to improve my own knowledge.

I have always wanted to make an impact in my community. As my love for veterinary medicine and animal healthcare has grown throughout life, I have realized that I love how much of an impact I can have on a family or community just by being involved in an animal's life. Throughout my work as a licensed veterinary technologist in small animal ER/ICU, surgery, and neurology, I have seen how changing one pet’s life can make a world of difference for a family going through the stages of life and illness for an animal they love. Similarly, being able to help educate global communities on the importance of endangered species and their habitat preservation has been such a meaningful experience for me. From working in Thailand with elephants to volunteering in South Africa with cheetahs to rehabilitating wolves in Washington State, I have learned about how the utilization of One Health initiatives has improved the outlook of communities on preserving species and strengthening the relationships between animals and humans. At school, I have volunteering for numerous fundraising activities and animal welfare initiatives such as the Tompkins County Amphibian Migration Patrol to help migrating amphibians from anthropogenic harm, the Cornell Feline Follies event to fundraise for cats in shelters, and the Southside Community Clinic low cost-animal clinic for providing student-run animal health annual care to those below the poverty line in the local Ithaca area. After graduating from Cornell, I hope to complete a small animal rotating internship. As my main interests are small animal neurology and zoo/conservation medicine, I want to be able to refine my clinical skills with mentored support prior to pursuing my interests independently. Beyond the completion of the internship, I hope to continue being able to participate in global conservation medicine efforts. Whether it be in an underrepresented community within North America, such as isolated areas of Alaska, or areas needing global outreach and support, I want to be able to continue teaching communities about the importance of animal health care, species preservation and rehabilitation, and human interactions. As a member of the Native Village of Fort Yukon in Alaska, it is a pride of mine to be able to educate my friends and community on the indigenous tribes of Alaska and our significant cultural history. To expand cultural awareness, I have made sure that there is a larger awareness of the native community throughout Cornell, and where I live. Through the acknowledgment of people who have struggled in the past, and the need to further preserve the Athabaskan community, I have always been determined to enhance cultural awareness and acknowledge the enriching native traditions I come from. A more inclusive learning environment will then help with maintaining an inclusive workplace for all of us as we enter our careers as veterinarians while still maintaining recognition and support for underrepresented communities. As a hard-working student and a compassionate licensed veterinary technologist, I will strive to become the most caring and accepting veterinarian possible as I begin my career as a veterinary professional.

I have always wanted to make an impact in my community. As my love for veterinary medicine and animal healthcare has grown throughout life, I have realized that I love how much of an impact I can have on a family or community just by being involved in an animal's life. Throughout my work as a licensed veterinary technologist in small animal ER/ICU, surgery, and neurology, I have seen how changing one pet’s life can make a world of difference for a family going through the stages of life and illness for an animal they love. Similarly, being able to help educate global communities on the importance of endangered species and their habitat preservation has been such a meaningful experience for me. From working in Thailand with elephants to volunteering in South Africa with cheetahs to rehabilitating wolves in Washington State, I have learned about how the utilization of One Health initiatives has improved the outlook of communities on preserving species and strengthening the relationships between animals and humans. At school, I have volunteering for numerous fundraising activities and animal welfare initiatives such as the Tompkins County Amphibian Migration Patrol to help migrating amphibians from anthropogenic harm, the Cornell Feline Follies event to fundraise for cats in shelters, and the Southside Community Clinic low cost-animal clinic for providing student-run animal health annual care to those below the poverty line in the local Ithaca area. After graduating from Cornell, I hope to complete a small animal rotating internship. As my main interests are small animal neurology and zoo/conservation medicine, I want to be able to refine my clinical skills with mentored support prior to pursuing my interests independently. Beyond the completion of the internship, I hope to continue being able to participate in global conservation medicine efforts. Whether it be in an underrepresented community within North America, such as isolated areas of Alaska, or areas needing global outreach and support, I want to be able to continue teaching communities about the importance of animal health care, species preservation and rehabilitation, and human interactions. As a member of the Native Village of Fort Yukon in Alaska, it is a pride of mine to be able to educate my friends and community on the indigenous tribes of Alaska and our significant cultural history. To expand cultural awareness, I have made sure that there is a larger awareness of the native community throughout Cornell, and where I live. Through the acknowledgment of people who have struggled in the past, and the need to further preserve the Athabaskan community, I have always been determined to enhance cultural awareness and acknowledge the enriching native traditions I come from. A more inclusive learning environment will then help with maintaining an inclusive workplace for all of us as we enter our careers as veterinarians while still maintaining recognition and support for underrepresented communities. As a hard-working student and a compassionate licensed veterinary technologist, I will strive to become the most caring and accepting veterinarian possible as I begin my career as a veterinary professional.

I have always wanted to make an impact in my community. As my love for veterinary medicine and animal healthcare has grown throughout life, I have realized that I love how much of an impact I can have on a family or community just by being involved in an animal's life. Throughout my work as a licensed veterinary technologist in small animal ER/ICU, surgery, and neurology, I have seen how changing one pet’s life can make a world of difference for a family going through the stages of life and illness for an animal they love. Similarly, being able to help educate global communities on the importance of endangered species and their habitat preservation has been such a meaningful experience for me. From working in Thailand with elephants to volunteering in South Africa with cheetahs to rehabilitating wolves in Washington State, I have learned about how the utilization of One Health initiatives has improved the outlook of communities on preserving species and strengthening the relationships between animals and humans. At school, I have volunteering for numerous fundraising activities and animal welfare initiatives such as the Tompkins County Amphibian Migration Patrol to help migrating amphibians from anthropogenic harm, the Cornell Feline Follies event to fundraise for cats in shelters, and the Southside Community Clinic low cost-animal clinic for providing student-run animal health annual care to those below the poverty line in the local Ithaca area. After graduating from Cornell, I hope to complete a small animal rotating internship. As my main interests are small animal neurology and zoo/conservation medicine, I want to be able to refine my clinical skills with mentored support prior to pursuing my interests independently. Beyond the completion of the internship, I hope to continue being able to participate in global conservation medicine efforts. Whether it be in an underrepresented community within North America, such as isolated areas of Alaska, or areas needing global outreach and support, I want to be able to continue teaching communities about the importance of animal health care, species preservation and rehabilitation, and human interactions. As a member of the Native Village of Fort Yukon in Alaska, it is a pride of mine to be able to educate my friends and community on the indigenous tribes of Alaska and our significant cultural history. To expand cultural awareness, I have made sure that there is a larger awareness of the native community throughout Cornell, and where I live. Through the acknowledgment of people who have struggled in the past, and the need to further preserve the Athabaskan community, I have always been determined to enhance cultural awareness and acknowledge the enriching native traditions I come from. A more inclusive learning environment will then help with maintaining an inclusive workplace for all of us as we enter our careers as veterinarians while still maintaining recognition and support for underrepresented communities. As a hard-working student and a compassionate licensed veterinary technologist, I will strive to become the most caring and accepting veterinarian possible as I begin my career as a veterinary professional.

I have always wanted to make an impact in my community. As my love for veterinary medicine and animal healthcare has grown throughout life, I have realized that I love how much of an impact I can have on a family or community just by being involved in an animal's life. Throughout my work as a licensed veterinary technologist in small animal ER/ICU, surgery, and neurology, I have seen how changing one pet’s life can make a world of difference for a family going through the stages of life and illness for an animal they love. Similarly, being able to help educate global communities on the importance of endangered species and their habitat preservation has been such a meaningful experience for me. From working in Thailand with elephants to volunteering in South Africa with cheetahs to rehabilitating wolves in Washington State, I have learned about how the utilization of One Health initiatives has improved the outlook of communities on preserving species and strengthening the relationships between animals and humans. At school, I have volunteering for numerous fundraising activities and animal welfare initiatives such as the Tompkins County Amphibian Migration Patrol to help migrating amphibians from anthropogenic harm, the Cornell Feline Follies event to fundraise for cats in shelters, and the Southside Community Clinic low cost-animal clinic for providing student-run animal health annual care to those below the poverty line in the local Ithaca area. After graduating from Cornell, I hope to complete a small animal rotating internship. As my main interests are small animal neurology and zoo/conservation medicine, I want to be able to refine my clinical skills with mentored support prior to pursuing my interests independently. Beyond the completion of the internship, I hope to continue being able to participate in global conservation medicine efforts. Whether it be in an underrepresented community within North America, such as isolated areas of Alaska, or areas needing global outreach and support, I want to be able to continue teaching communities about the importance of animal health care, species preservation and rehabilitation, and human interactions. As a member of the Native Village of Fort Yukon in Alaska, it is a pride of mine to be able to educate my friends and community on the indigenous tribes of Alaska and our significant cultural history. To expand cultural awareness, I have made sure that there is a larger awareness of the native community throughout Cornell, and where I live. Through the acknowledgment of people who have struggled in the past, and the need to further preserve the Athabaskan community, I have always been determined to enhance cultural awareness and acknowledge the enriching native traditions I come from. A more inclusive learning environment will then help with maintaining an inclusive workplace for all of us as we enter our careers as veterinarians while still maintaining recognition and support for underrepresented communities. As a hard-working student and a compassionate licensed veterinary technologist, I will strive to become the most caring and accepting veterinarian possible as I begin my career as a veterinary professional.

I have always wanted to make an impact in my community. As my love for veterinary medicine and animal healthcare has grown throughout life, I have realized that I love how much of an impact I can have on a family or community just by being involved in an animal's life. Throughout my work as a licensed veterinary technologist in small animal ER/ICU, surgery, and neurology, I have seen how changing one pet’s life can make a world of difference for a family going through the stages of life and illness for an animal they love. Similarly, being able to help educate global communities on the importance of endangered species and their habitat preservation has been such a meaningful experience for me. From working in Thailand with elephants to volunteering in South Africa with cheetahs to rehabilitating wolves in Washington State, I have learned about how the utilization of One Health initiatives has improved the outlook of communities on preserving species and strengthening the relationships between animals and humans. At school, I have volunteering for numerous fundraising activities and animal welfare initiatives such as the Tompkins County Amphibian Migration Patrol to help migrating amphibians from anthropogenic harm, the Cornell Feline Follies event to fundraise for cats in shelters, and the Southside Community Clinic low cost-animal clinic for providing student-run animal health annual care to those below the poverty line in the local Ithaca area. After graduating from Cornell, I hope to complete a small animal rotating internship. As my main interests are small animal neurology and zoo/conservation medicine, I want to be able to refine my clinical skills with mentored support prior to pursuing my interests independently. Beyond the completion of the internship, I hope to continue being able to participate in global conservation medicine efforts. Whether it be in an underrepresented community within North America, such as isolated areas of Alaska, or areas needing global outreach and support, I want to be able to continue teaching communities about the importance of animal health care, species preservation and rehabilitation, and human interactions. As a member of the Native Village of Fort Yukon in Alaska, it is a pride of mine to be able to educate my friends and community on the indigenous tribes of Alaska and our significant cultural history. To expand cultural awareness, I have made sure that there is a larger awareness of the native community throughout Cornell, and where I live. Through the acknowledgment of people who have struggled in the past, and the need to further preserve the Athabaskan community, I have always been determined to enhance cultural awareness and acknowledge the enriching native traditions I come from. A more inclusive learning environment will then help with maintaining an inclusive workplace for all of us as we enter our careers as veterinarians while still maintaining recognition and support for underrepresented communities. As a hard-working student and a compassionate licensed veterinary technologist, I will strive to become the most caring and accepting veterinarian possible as I begin my career as a veterinary professional.

I have always wanted to make an impact in my community. As my love for veterinary medicine and animal healthcare has grown throughout life, I have realized that I love how much of an impact I can have on a family or community just by being involved in an animal's life. Throughout my work as a licensed veterinary technologist in small animal ER/ICU, surgery, and neurology, I have seen how changing one pet’s life can make a world of difference for a family going through the stages of life and illness for an animal they love. Similarly, being able to help educate global communities on the importance of endangered species and their habitat preservation has been such a meaningful experience for me. From working in Thailand with elephants to volunteering in South Africa with cheetahs to rehabilitating wolves in Washington State, I have learned about how the utilization of One Health initiatives has improved the outlook of communities on preserving species and strengthening the relationships between animals and humans. At school, I have volunteering for numerous fundraising activities and animal welfare initiatives such as the Tompkins County Amphibian Migration Patrol to help migrating amphibians from anthropogenic harm, the Cornell Feline Follies event to fundraise for cats in shelters, and the Southside Community Clinic low cost-animal clinic for providing student-run animal health annual care to those below the poverty line in the local Ithaca area. After graduating from Cornell, I hope to complete a small animal rotating internship. As my main interests are small animal neurology and zoo/conservation medicine, I want to be able to refine my clinical skills with mentored support prior to pursuing my interests independently. Beyond the completion of the internship, I hope to continue being able to participate in global conservation medicine efforts. Whether it be in an underrepresented community within North America, such as isolated areas of Alaska, or areas needing global outreach and support, I want to be able to continue teaching communities about the importance of animal health care, species preservation and rehabilitation, and human interactions. As a member of the Native Village of Fort Yukon in Alaska, it is a pride of mine to be able to educate my friends and community on the indigenous tribes of Alaska and our significant cultural history. To expand cultural awareness, I have made sure that there is a larger awareness of the native community throughout Cornell, and where I live. Through the acknowledgment of people who have struggled in the past, and the need to further preserve the Athabaskan community, I have always been determined to enhance cultural awareness and acknowledge the enriching native traditions I come from. A more inclusive learning environment will then help with maintaining an inclusive workplace for all of us as we enter our careers as veterinarians while still maintaining recognition and support for underrepresented communities. As a hard-working student and a compassionate licensed veterinary technologist, I will strive to become the most caring and accepting veterinarian possible as I begin my career as a veterinary professional.

I have always wanted to make an impact in my community. As my love for veterinary medicine and animal healthcare has grown throughout life, I have realized that I love how much of an impact I can have on a family or community just by being involved in an animal's life. Throughout my work as a licensed veterinary technologist in small animal ER/ICU, surgery, and neurology, I have seen how changing one pet’s life can make a world of difference for a family going through the stages of life and illness for an animal they love. Similarly, being able to help educate global communities on the importance of endangered species and their habitat preservation has been such a meaningful experience for me. From working in Thailand with elephants to volunteering in South Africa with cheetahs to rehabilitating wolves in Washington State, I have learned about how the utilization of One Health initiatives has improved the outlook of communities on preserving species and strengthening the relationships between animals and humans. At school, I have volunteering for numerous fundraising activities and animal welfare initiatives such as the Tompkins County Amphibian Migration Patrol to help migrating amphibians from anthropogenic harm, the Cornell Feline Follies event to fundraise for cats in shelters, and the Southside Community Clinic low cost-animal clinic for providing student-run animal health annual care to those below the poverty line in the local Ithaca area. After graduating from Cornell, I hope to complete a small animal rotating internship. As my main interests are small animal neurology and zoo/conservation medicine, I want to be able to refine my clinical skills with mentored support prior to pursuing my interests independently. Beyond the completion of the internship, I hope to continue being able to participate in global conservation medicine efforts. Whether it be in an underrepresented community within North America, such as isolated areas of Alaska, or areas needing global outreach and support, I want to be able to continue teaching communities about the importance of animal health care, species preservation and rehabilitation, and human interactions. As a member of the Native Village of Fort Yukon in Alaska, it is a pride of mine to be able to educate my friends and community on the indigenous tribes of Alaska and our significant cultural history. To expand cultural awareness, I have made sure that there is a larger awareness of the native community throughout Cornell, and where I live. Through the acknowledgment of people who have struggled in the past, and the need to further preserve the Athabaskan community, I have always been determined to enhance cultural awareness and acknowledge the enriching native traditions I come from. A more inclusive learning environment will then help with maintaining an inclusive workplace for all of us as we enter our careers as veterinarians while still maintaining recognition and support for underrepresented communities. As a hard-working student and a compassionate licensed veterinary technologist, I will strive to become the most caring and accepting veterinarian possible as I begin my career as a veterinary professional.

I have always wanted to make an impact in my community. As my love for veterinary medicine and animal healthcare has grown throughout life, I have realized that I love how much of an impact I can have on a family or community just by being involved in an animal's life. Throughout my work as a licensed veterinary technologist in small animal ER/ICU, surgery, and neurology, I have seen how changing one pet’s life can make a world of difference for a family going through the stages of life and illness for an animal they love. Similarly, being able to help educate global communities on the importance of endangered species and their habitat preservation has been such a meaningful experience for me. From working in Thailand with elephants to volunteering in South Africa with cheetahs to rehabilitating wolves in Washington State, I have learned about how the utilization of One Health initiatives has improved the outlook of communities on preserving species and strengthening the relationships between animals and humans. At school, I have volunteering for numerous fundraising activities and animal welfare initiatives such as the Tompkins County Amphibian Migration Patrol to help migrating amphibians from anthropogenic harm, the Cornell Feline Follies event to fundraise for cats in shelters, and the Southside Community Clinic low cost-animal clinic for providing student-run animal health annual care to those below the poverty line in the local Ithaca area. After graduating from Cornell, I hope to complete a small animal rotating internship. As my main interests are small animal neurology and zoo/conservation medicine, I want to be able to refine my clinical skills with mentored support prior to pursuing my interests independently. Beyond the completion of the internship, I hope to continue being able to participate in global conservation medicine efforts. Whether it be in an underrepresented community within North America, such as isolated areas of Alaska, or areas needing global outreach and support, I want to be able to continue teaching communities about the importance of animal health care, species preservation and rehabilitation, and human interactions. As a member of the Native Village of Fort Yukon in Alaska, it is a pride of mine to be able to educate my friends and community on the indigenous tribes of Alaska and our significant cultural history. To expand cultural awareness, I have made sure that there is a larger awareness of the native community throughout Cornell, and where I live. Through the acknowledgment of people who have struggled in the past, and the need to further preserve the Athabaskan community, I have always been determined to enhance cultural awareness and acknowledge the enriching native traditions I come from. A more inclusive learning environment will then help with maintaining an inclusive workplace for all of us as we enter our careers as veterinarians while still maintaining recognition and support for underrepresented communities. As a hard-working student and a compassionate licensed veterinary technologist, I will strive to become the most caring and accepting veterinarian possible as I begin my career as a veterinary professional.

I have always wanted to make an impact in my community. As my love for veterinary medicine and animal healthcare has grown throughout life, I have realized that I love how much of an impact I can have on a family or community just by being involved in an animal's life. Throughout my work as a licensed veterinary technologist in small animal ER/ICU, surgery, and neurology, I have seen how changing one pet’s life can make a world of difference for a family going through the stages of life and illness for an animal they love. Similarly, being able to help educate global communities on the importance of endangered species and their habitat preservation has been such a meaningful experience for me. From working in Thailand with elephants to volunteering in South Africa with cheetahs to rehabilitating wolves in Washington State, I have learned about how the utilization of One Health initiatives has improved the outlook of communities on preserving species and strengthening the relationships between animals and humans. After graduating from Cornell, I hope to complete a small animal rotating internship. As my main interests are small animal neurology and zoo/conservation medicine, I want to be able to refine my clinical skills with mentored support prior to pursuing my interests independently. Beyond the completion of the internship, I hope to continue being able to participate in global conservation medicine efforts. Whether it be in an underrepresented community within North America, such as isolated areas of Alaska, or areas needing global outreach and support, I want to be able to continue teaching communities about the importance of animal health care, species preservation and rehabilitation, and human interactions. As a member of the Native Village of Fort Yukon in Alaska, it is a pride of mine to be able to educate my friends and community on the indigenous tribes of Alaska and our significant cultural history. To expand cultural awareness, I have made sure that there is a larger awareness of the native community throughout Cornell, and where I live. Through the acknowledgment of people who have struggled in the past, and the need to further preserve the Athabaskan community, I have always been determined to enhance cultural awareness and acknowledge the enriching native traditions I come from. A more inclusive learning environment will then help with maintaining an inclusive workplace for all of us as we enter our careers as veterinarians while still maintaining recognition and support for underrepresented communities. Through the support of this scholarship opportunity, I know that I will be able to continue having an impact on lower-income communities. With a decreased financial burden, I will have more opportunities to take on more pro bono or discounted future jobs in communities that need help with animal conservation or even routine veterinary care. As a hard-working student and a compassionate veterinary technologist, I will strive to become the most caring and accepting veterinarian possible as I begin my career as a veterinary professional.

I have always wanted to make an impact in my community. As my love for veterinary medicine and animal healthcare has grown throughout life, I have realized that I love how much of an impact I can have on a family or community just by being involved in an animal's life. Throughout my work as a licensed veterinary technologist in small animal ER/ICU, surgery, and neurology, I have seen how changing one pet’s life can make a world of difference for a family going through the stages of life and illness for an animal they love. Similarly, being able to help educate global communities on the importance of endangered species and their habitat preservation has been such a meaningful experience for me. From working in Thailand with elephants to volunteering in South Africa with cheetahs to rehabilitating wolves in Washington State, I have learned about how the utilization of One Health initiatives has improved the outlook of communities on preserving species and strengthening the relationships between animals and humans. At school, I have volunteering for numerous fundraising activities and animal welfare initiatives such as the Tompkins County Amphibian Migration Patrol to help migrating amphibians from anthropogenic harm, the Cornell Feline Follies event to fundraise for cats in shelters, and the Southside Community Clinic low cost-animal clinic for providing student-run animal health annual care to those below the poverty line in the local Ithaca area. After graduating from Cornell, I hope to complete a small animal rotating internship. As my main interests are small animal neurology and zoo/conservation medicine, I want to be able to refine my clinical skills with mentored support prior to pursuing my interests independently. Beyond the completion of the internship, I hope to continue being able to participate in global conservation medicine efforts. Whether it be in an underrepresented community within North America, such as isolated areas of Alaska, or areas needing global outreach and support, I want to be able to continue teaching communities about the importance of animal health care, species preservation and rehabilitation, and human interactions. As a member of the Native Village of Fort Yukon in Alaska, it is a pride of mine to be able to educate my friends and community on the indigenous tribes of Alaska and our significant cultural history. To expand cultural awareness, I have made sure that there is a larger awareness of the native community throughout Cornell, and where I live. Through the acknowledgment of people who have struggled in the past, and the need to further preserve the Athabaskan community, I have always been determined to enhance cultural awareness and acknowledge the enriching native traditions I come from. A more inclusive learning environment will then help with maintaining an inclusive workplace for all of us as we enter our careers as veterinarians while still maintaining recognition and support for underrepresented communities. As a hard-working student and a compassionate licensed veterinary technologist, I will strive to become the most caring and accepting veterinarian possible as I begin my career as a veterinary professional.

My future self will be a confident, compassionate, and inspiring small animal veterinary neurosurgeon who also spends time doing conservation work to promote public health and have a positive impact on the animals, environment, and people in all communities around the world.

Throughout my lifetime, I have had a multitude of experiences which have influenced me to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. My long-standing passion for animal health and science initially led me to explore the vast array of specialties within the field by working at small animal practices. I was eventually accepted into a veterinary oncologic internship, which piqued my interest in specialty care. I then pursued this new interest by working at a large multi-specialty and emergency center where I grew to love neurology. The combination of medicine and surgery is something that excites me, and I find myself enamored with the mixture of advanced imaging and precise surgical technique. Through my work in these enriching and diverse environments, my drive to explore and learn continued to grow and drew me to volunteer in Thailand at the Elephant Nature Park. I originally wanted to further my own knowledge on nursing and conservation efforts of elephants; however, I soon realized that these efforts were needed due to anthropogenic harm, whether that be intentional or a byproduct of human conflict, which caused a multitude of injuries. In seeing the wide breadth of injury, it was not only a culture shock, but also a reinforcement for the need for veterinary intervention, and subsequently, my drive to become a veterinarian grew stronger. During my time at the sanctuary, I worked primarily with a baby elephant that had stepped on a land mine while on an illegal trekking mission in a war zone along the borders of Myanmar. The calf sustained severe wounds, including loss of a distal left forelimb from the explosive, which resulted in a recurrent wound abscess. I learned that the size of these patients limits our options for care, and amputation could not be pursued. Instead we had to resort to basic wound cleansing and monitoring. Seeing an animal so young and already in so much pain really resonated with me. It is not only a question of helping animals, but also understanding the impact that humans have on the environment and how these interactions can affect our patients. While working with elephants and the surrounding community, the concept of One-Health has shown me the interconnectedness between ecosystems, people, and animals. To further my education on this approach, this past summer I interned in South Africa at a large cat sanctuary working to ethically conserve endangered species and participate in community education initiatives. This exposure not only magnified the importance of the ethical side of veterinary medicine, but also further solidified my dedication to continue conservation efforts as a veterinarian, alongside my primary passion for small animal neurosurgery. These experiences exemplify how veterinary professionals are critical in providing exceptional care to animals as well as advocating for their protection, and I possess the drive and devotion necessary to carry on those attributes as I pursue my doctorate of veterinary medicine at Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine.

Throughout my lifetime, I have had a multitude of experiences which have influenced me to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. My long-standing passion for animal health and science initially led me to explore the vast array of specialties within the field by working at small animal practices. I was eventually accepted into a veterinary oncologic internship, which piqued my interest in specialty care. I then pursued this new interest by working at a large multi-specialty and emergency center where I grew to love neurology. The combination of medicine and surgery is something that excites me, and I find myself enamored with the mixture of advanced imaging and precise surgical technique. Through my work in these enriching and diverse environments, my drive to explore and learn continued to grow and drew me to volunteer in Thailand at the Elephant Nature Park. I originally wanted to further my own knowledge on nursing and conservation efforts of elephants; however, I soon realized that these efforts were needed due to anthropogenic harm, whether that be intentional or a byproduct of human conflict, which caused a multitude of injuries. In seeing the wide breadth of injury, it was not only a culture shock, but also a reinforcement for the need for veterinary intervention, and subsequently, my drive to become a veterinarian grew stronger. During my time at the sanctuary, I worked primarily with a baby elephant that had stepped on a land mine while on an illegal trekking mission in a war zone along the borders of Myanmar. The calf sustained severe wounds, including loss of a distal left forelimb from the explosive, which resulted in a recurrent wound abscess. I learned that the size of these patients limits our options for care, and amputation could not be pursued. Instead we had to resort to basic wound cleansing and monitoring. Seeing an animal so young and already in so much pain really resonated with me. It is not only a question of helping animals, but also understanding the impact that humans have on the environment and how these interactions can affect our patients. While working with elephants and the surrounding community, the concept of One-Health has shown me the interconnectedness between ecosystems, people, and animals. To further my education on this approach, this past summer I interned in South Africa at a large cat sanctuary working to ethically conserve endangered species and participate in community education initiatives. This exposure not only magnified the importance of the ethical side of veterinary medicine, but also further solidified my dedication to continue conservation efforts as a veterinarian, alongside my primary passion for small animal neurosurgery. These experiences exemplify how veterinary professionals are critical in providing exceptional care to animals as well as advocating for their protection, and I possess the drive and devotion necessary to carry on those attributes as I pursue my doctorate of veterinary medicine at Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine.

Throughout my lifetime, I have had a multitude of experiences which have influenced me to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. My long-standing passion for animal health and science initially led me to explore the vast array of specialties within the field by working at small animal practices. I was eventually accepted into a veterinary oncologic internship, which piqued my interest in specialty care. I then pursued this new interest by working at a large multi-specialty and emergency center where I grew to love neurology. The combination of medicine and surgery is something that excites me, and I find myself enamored with the mixture of advanced imaging and precise surgical technique. Through my work in these enriching and diverse environments, my drive to explore and learn continued to grow and drew me to volunteer in Thailand at the Elephant Nature Park. I originally wanted to further my own knowledge on nursing and conservation efforts of elephants; however, I soon realized that these efforts were needed due to anthropogenic harm, whether that be intentional or a byproduct of human conflict, which caused a multitude of injuries. In seeing the wide breadth of injury, it was not only a culture shock, but also a reinforcement for the need for veterinary intervention, and subsequently, my drive to become a veterinarian grew stronger. During my time at the sanctuary, I worked primarily with a baby elephant that had stepped on a land mine while on an illegal trekking mission in a war zone along the borders of Myanmar. The calf sustained severe wounds, including loss of a distal left forelimb from the explosive, which resulted in a recurrent wound abscess. I learned that the size of these patients limits our options for care, and amputation could not be pursued. Instead we had to resort to basic wound cleansing and monitoring. Seeing an animal so young and already in so much pain really resonated with me. It is not only a question of helping animals, but also understanding the impact that humans have on the environment and how these interactions can affect our patients. While working with elephants and the surrounding community, the concept of One-Health has shown me the interconnectedness between ecosystems, people, and animals. To further my education on this approach, this past summer I interned in South Africa at a large cat sanctuary working to ethically conserve endangered species and participate in community education initiatives. This exposure not only magnified the importance of the ethical side of veterinary medicine, but also further solidified my dedication to continue conservation efforts as a veterinarian, alongside my primary passion for small animal neurosurgery. These experiences exemplify how veterinary professionals are critical in providing exceptional care to animals as well as advocating for their protection, and I possess the drive and devotion necessary to carry on those attributes as I begin my studies at Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine.