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.