IVEC Scholarship Winner

SAVMA IVEC would like to highlight Sidney Smith, a rising fourth-year student at NCSU, who was awarded the IVEC International Veterinary Experience Scholarship. During Spring Break of this year, Sidney had the opportunity to attend Dr. Gregory Lewbart’s research trip to the Galapagos Islands with NCSU faculty and other third years:

“Throughout the trip I was able to assist with three research projects with our team and the Galapagos Science Center. These projects included investigating how Marine Iguanas can shrink, cross-matching sea turtle blood, and performing health assessments of Espanola Lava Lizards. For each of the projects I helped safely capture and restrain wildlife, perform full health assessments, and draw/run blood samples. On our last research day (boating from Espanola back to San Cristobal Island) our group was lucky enough to stumble upon a pod of Pilot whales, which we obtained skin samples from.

After three days of research, we had four days to finish our lab work, tour San Cristobal Island, and learn about Galapagos wildlife conservation. This experience was incredible, and our group did everything possible to make this trip a once in a lifetime opportunity. I learned so much about Galapagos wildlife, and finally had the opportunity to participate in international research fieldwork (something I have wanted to do since starting veterinary school). The trip was unforgettable, and I cannot thank SAVMA and IVEC enough for the support.”

Foot in Mouth Disease

Submitted by Madeline Vargo, University of Florida

*Click video for audio!*

Creative Corner

Submitted by Marissa Robertson, Western University 

Photography

"Marmot Heaven"

Submitted by Devin Wicker, Oregon State University

Student Experiences

Submittee by Kristina Muise, Royal Veterinary College

As a first-generation student, I never knew what research and academia were, until I had the opportunity to be a part of it. During my Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree at the University of Winnipeg, in Manitoba, Canada I was incredibly fortunate to join a bat research lab led by Dr. Craig Willis and conduct a research project where I analysed the pre-hibernation feeding behaviour in a northern population of little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus). I then had the opportunity to complete a second research project analysing the stress-induced body temperature changes in a different species of bat – the silver-haired bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans). It was incredibly rewarding to work in the field and the lab, catching bats and being able to learn about these amazing species. Bats are the only mammal that are capable of true flight, and each species is vastly unique from one another. These fascinating research projects allowed me to gain an immense amount of experience in wildlife biology, diseases, and conservation, all of which were interests that I never expected I would have, when growing up and aspiring to become a veterinarian.

At the end of my undergraduate degree, I planned on continuing in veterinary medicine, however after multiple failures to obtain admission to vet school, I returned to the University of Winnipeg to complete a Master of Science in Bioscience, Technology and Public Policy. I re-joined the bat lab and started a research project where I analysed the hibernation behaviour, physiology, and water balance of big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus). This species of hibernating bat is resistant to ‘white-nose syndrome’, a fungal disease that is currently devastating hibernating bat populations in North America. While the exact research mechanism is not yet known, my research provides some insight into the underlying processes. 

Following graduation of my M.Sc., I was incredibly excited to start veterinary school at the Royal Veterinary College, in London, England. While my first year is wrapping up shortly, I feel incredibly fortunate to have gained a vast amount of research experience, of which I can build my veterinary degree on. My overall career goals following my BVetMed degree is to continue with a Ph.D. in conservation medicine, with a focus in wildlife diseases. Had I not applied to a research lab during my undergrad, my interests in veterinary medicine may not be what that they are right now. My research degrees and experiences have shaped my interests, and ultimately the veterinarian I will become in the future.

  

Photo: Little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) in the field.