OUTSTANDING CLUB COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
North Carolina State University
The Pre-Veterinary Medical Association at North Carolina State University prides itself on educating undergraduates about careers in veterinary medicine and how to become competitive veterinary school applicants. This year, our club has focused on providing service events that focus on a One Health perspective. To assist people in our community, we made crafts with patients at a children's hospital, created Valentine's Day cards for a local nursing home, and organized a canned food drive for our on-campus food pantry. We also improved environmental health by cleaning up our school's dairy farm and a therapeutic riding center for abused children. Our passion to help animals showed as we increased pet adoptability through assisting with Second Chance Pet Adoptions' Spay Day. By volunteering with Operation Catnip, we decreased the feral cat population in our community. Finally, we organized a Halloween Dog Costume Contest and Walk to benefit our philanthropies, Beyond Fences in Durham, NC and Hoedspruit Animal Outreach (HALO) in South Africa. Beyond Fences builds fences for dogs that are chained up to increase their quality of life and HALO provides free veterinary care to dogs in low income communities in South Africa. We have worked extremely hard this year to improve our club's attendance and impact on the community and we are honored to receive this award!
OUTSTANDING SENIOR AWARD
Ashley Carlberg
Oregon State University
I'm from Portland, Oregon preparing to graduate from Oregon State University with a bachelors in Animal Science, a minor in Chemistry and the Animal BioHealth option. Next year, I would like to attend the Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine with an interest in practicing small animal medicine assisting rural communities with overpopulation. This year, I am pursuing many new challenges including being the president of the Pre-Veterinary Medical Association, a student technician at the OSU Sheep Center, a veterinary assistant at Alpine Animal Hospital and an ambassador for Oregon State University. As an ambassador for the College of Agricultural Sciences, I enjoy giving tours to prospective students, engaging in marketing and showcasing events, and sharing my experiences and involvement within the college. In my spare time, I enjoy playing volleyball, camping, hiking and other outdoor adventures.
Oregon State University
I'm from Portland, Oregon preparing to graduate from Oregon State University with a bachelors in Animal Science, a minor in Chemistry and the Animal BioHealth option. Next year, I would like to attend the Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine with an interest in practicing small animal medicine assisting rural communities with overpopulation. This year, I am pursuing many new challenges including being the president of the Pre-Veterinary Medical Association, a student technician at the OSU Sheep Center, a veterinary assistant at Alpine Animal Hospital and an ambassador for Oregon State University. As an ambassador for the College of Agricultural Sciences, I enjoy giving tours to prospective students, engaging in marketing and showcasing events, and sharing my experiences and involvement within the college. In my spare time, I enjoy playing volleyball, camping, hiking and other outdoor adventures.
ONE HEALTH SCHOLARSHIP
Emily Wiloch
North Carolina State University
My name is Emily Wiloch and I am currently a senior at North Carolina State University. I am majoring in Animal Science with a concentration in Veterinary Bioscience and minoring in Nutrition. During my time as the Service Coordinator and Philanthropy Chair for the Pre-Veterinary Medical Association at NC State University, I planned service events that focused on a One Health perspective with both global and local impacts. I have successfully organized fundraising events to benefit philanthropies both in North Carolina and in South Africa. I recently completed an internship with USDA APHIS where I learned a lot about disease control and surveillance, animal welfare inspections, and public health. I also researched canine Babesiosis for a large chunk of my undergraduate career, which initiated my interest in tick-borne diseases and the relationship between animal health, human health, and environmental health. This summer, I will be the coordinator for VetCAMP at NC State, a summer camp for high school students interested in veterinary medicine. In the fall, I will be attending North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. I hope to either work as a mixed animal veterinarian in a rural area or go into public health. I am extremely honored to have received the 2019 APVMA-AAVMC One Health Scholarship
North Carolina State University
My name is Emily Wiloch and I am currently a senior at North Carolina State University. I am majoring in Animal Science with a concentration in Veterinary Bioscience and minoring in Nutrition. During my time as the Service Coordinator and Philanthropy Chair for the Pre-Veterinary Medical Association at NC State University, I planned service events that focused on a One Health perspective with both global and local impacts. I have successfully organized fundraising events to benefit philanthropies both in North Carolina and in South Africa. I recently completed an internship with USDA APHIS where I learned a lot about disease control and surveillance, animal welfare inspections, and public health. I also researched canine Babesiosis for a large chunk of my undergraduate career, which initiated my interest in tick-borne diseases and the relationship between animal health, human health, and environmental health. This summer, I will be the coordinator for VetCAMP at NC State, a summer camp for high school students interested in veterinary medicine. In the fall, I will be attending North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. I hope to either work as a mixed animal veterinarian in a rural area or go into public health. I am extremely honored to have received the 2019 APVMA-AAVMC One Health Scholarship
APVMA SCHOLARSHIPs
Maureen Agnew
Centenary University
My name is Maureen Agnew and I am a current senior at Centenary University, in New Jersey, double majoring in biology and equine science on a pre-veterinary track. I am the president of the Pre-Professional club and have been e-board member all four years of college. I am also the vice president of the Tri-Beta Honors Society, member of the Golden Key Honors Society, and member of the Love Your Melon organization. Through the school I am a peer tutor, teacher’s assistant, student leader, and lifeguard! This year I completed my research project observing the biomechanics of the horse, to determine if the horse’s shoulder angle correlates with their stride length. I was fortunate enough to present my research at the ICFNJ Undergraduate Research Symposium in March. I currently work at two different small animal clinics, have done two different internship rotations at the Philadelphia Zoo, volunteered at a few different wild life rehabs centers and shadowed our equine veterinarian on staff at the Centenary University Equine Center. I am excited to be attending University of Pennsylvania’s School of veterinary medicine next year to further my education and become a mixed practice veterinarian! Thank you APVMA for this scholarship opportunity!
Centenary University
My name is Maureen Agnew and I am a current senior at Centenary University, in New Jersey, double majoring in biology and equine science on a pre-veterinary track. I am the president of the Pre-Professional club and have been e-board member all four years of college. I am also the vice president of the Tri-Beta Honors Society, member of the Golden Key Honors Society, and member of the Love Your Melon organization. Through the school I am a peer tutor, teacher’s assistant, student leader, and lifeguard! This year I completed my research project observing the biomechanics of the horse, to determine if the horse’s shoulder angle correlates with their stride length. I was fortunate enough to present my research at the ICFNJ Undergraduate Research Symposium in March. I currently work at two different small animal clinics, have done two different internship rotations at the Philadelphia Zoo, volunteered at a few different wild life rehabs centers and shadowed our equine veterinarian on staff at the Centenary University Equine Center. I am excited to be attending University of Pennsylvania’s School of veterinary medicine next year to further my education and become a mixed practice veterinarian! Thank you APVMA for this scholarship opportunity!
Rebekah Sartori
University of Central Florida
Hi, my name is Rebekah Sartori and I’m a senior majoring in biology at the University of Central Florida. I currently serve as Outreach Director of our Pre-Veterinary Society where I organize group volunteer events, community outreach days, and monthly donation drives. I’ve volunteered regularly at a local shelter for the past three years where I assist with medical treatment and sterilization surgeries for adoptable dogs and cats. I’ve also recently began volunteering at a farm animal sanctuary where I’ve been able to work directly with their medical team to treat and care for pigs, goats, cows, sheep, and chickens. My passion for giving back to the community and those animals most in need has inspired me to pursue shelter medicine. I look forward to applying to veterinary schools during the upcoming 2019 cycle and continuing to advocate for the health and welfare of animals.
University of Central Florida
Hi, my name is Rebekah Sartori and I’m a senior majoring in biology at the University of Central Florida. I currently serve as Outreach Director of our Pre-Veterinary Society where I organize group volunteer events, community outreach days, and monthly donation drives. I’ve volunteered regularly at a local shelter for the past three years where I assist with medical treatment and sterilization surgeries for adoptable dogs and cats. I’ve also recently began volunteering at a farm animal sanctuary where I’ve been able to work directly with their medical team to treat and care for pigs, goats, cows, sheep, and chickens. My passion for giving back to the community and those animals most in need has inspired me to pursue shelter medicine. I look forward to applying to veterinary schools during the upcoming 2019 cycle and continuing to advocate for the health and welfare of animals.
Elizabeth St. Clair
Pennsylvania State University
Hi! My name is Elizabeth St. Clair. I am a junior majoring in Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences at Pennsylvania State University in the Schreyers Honors College. I am from Palmyra, PA which is right next to the “Sweetest Place on Earth” aka. Hershey, PA. Back home, I work as an animal educator at ZooAmerica and completed an internship at Kreider Dairy Farms this past summer. Here at Penn State, I am currently the president of our Pre-Vet Club with 180 active members. Our club was honored to host the 2019 APVMA Symposium this past year. I am also involved in the Large Animal Reproduction Research Team and an avid runner with Club Cross Country. Currently, I am working on my thesis involving colostrum quality analysis research in goats. After graduation, I look forward to fulfilling my life-long dream of attending veterinary school with a mixed animal focus.
Pennsylvania State University
Hi! My name is Elizabeth St. Clair. I am a junior majoring in Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences at Pennsylvania State University in the Schreyers Honors College. I am from Palmyra, PA which is right next to the “Sweetest Place on Earth” aka. Hershey, PA. Back home, I work as an animal educator at ZooAmerica and completed an internship at Kreider Dairy Farms this past summer. Here at Penn State, I am currently the president of our Pre-Vet Club with 180 active members. Our club was honored to host the 2019 APVMA Symposium this past year. I am also involved in the Large Animal Reproduction Research Team and an avid runner with Club Cross Country. Currently, I am working on my thesis involving colostrum quality analysis research in goats. After graduation, I look forward to fulfilling my life-long dream of attending veterinary school with a mixed animal focus.
Shannon Leary
Michigan State University
Hi! My name is Shannon Leary and I am from Northville, MI. Currently I am a junior majoring in Animal Science at Michigan State University. I will get my bachelor’s degree in May 2020. At Michigan State, I am a campus tour guide, involved in Greek life – Sigma Delta Tau Sorority, and am the Co-Fundraising chair of the Pre-Veterinary Medical Association. Last summer I was accepted into the Enrichment Summer Program at Michigan States College of Veterinary Medicine and studied abroad in Kenya, Africa. I conducted two research experiments, one observational where I investigated the social structure and habitat preference of harem and bachelor zebra herds, and one experimental where we explored the lingering effect of human disturbance on Impala Activity Patterns. I will be presenting both research projects in April 2019 at the University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum (UURAF). My previous experience working at the MSU Swine Farm has inspired me to become a mixed animal practitioner. I am also highly interested in Emergency Medicine. I am looking forward to the exciting and rewarding profession the veterinary field awaits me.
Michigan State University
Hi! My name is Shannon Leary and I am from Northville, MI. Currently I am a junior majoring in Animal Science at Michigan State University. I will get my bachelor’s degree in May 2020. At Michigan State, I am a campus tour guide, involved in Greek life – Sigma Delta Tau Sorority, and am the Co-Fundraising chair of the Pre-Veterinary Medical Association. Last summer I was accepted into the Enrichment Summer Program at Michigan States College of Veterinary Medicine and studied abroad in Kenya, Africa. I conducted two research experiments, one observational where I investigated the social structure and habitat preference of harem and bachelor zebra herds, and one experimental where we explored the lingering effect of human disturbance on Impala Activity Patterns. I will be presenting both research projects in April 2019 at the University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum (UURAF). My previous experience working at the MSU Swine Farm has inspired me to become a mixed animal practitioner. I am also highly interested in Emergency Medicine. I am looking forward to the exciting and rewarding profession the veterinary field awaits me.
APVMA-AAVMC Research SCHOLARSHIPS
Julia Carlin
University of Central Florida
Hello! My name is Julia Carlin. I am in the class of 2019 at the University of Central Florida majoring in biology and am currently writing my Honors Thesis investigating microplastic accumulation in the gastrointestinal tract in birds of prey. During my time at UCF, I have maintained a 4.0 with honors, served as the president of the Pre-Veterinary Society, was an organic chemistry tutor, have won “Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher Award”, and was awarded Order of Pegasus, the highest and most prestigious award a student at UCF can receive. Beyond that, I have expanded my research nationally through having veterinary students ask to adopt my original methods to expand this conservation effort nationwide. As an aspiring conservation and wildlife veterinarian, I have had many influential experiences working with jaguars and lemur at exotic animal hospitals and being the giraffe ambassador at the Central Florida Zoo. The culmination of my work at UCF has resulted in me being one of twenty out of state students in the nation to be accepted into North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine for class of 2023. In my free time, I rock climb, mountain bike, and advocate of environmental sustainability. As a veterinarian, I plan on continuing conservation research in hopes to aid in the health and wellbeing of animals facing anthropogenic pressures.
University of Central Florida
Hello! My name is Julia Carlin. I am in the class of 2019 at the University of Central Florida majoring in biology and am currently writing my Honors Thesis investigating microplastic accumulation in the gastrointestinal tract in birds of prey. During my time at UCF, I have maintained a 4.0 with honors, served as the president of the Pre-Veterinary Society, was an organic chemistry tutor, have won “Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher Award”, and was awarded Order of Pegasus, the highest and most prestigious award a student at UCF can receive. Beyond that, I have expanded my research nationally through having veterinary students ask to adopt my original methods to expand this conservation effort nationwide. As an aspiring conservation and wildlife veterinarian, I have had many influential experiences working with jaguars and lemur at exotic animal hospitals and being the giraffe ambassador at the Central Florida Zoo. The culmination of my work at UCF has resulted in me being one of twenty out of state students in the nation to be accepted into North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine for class of 2023. In my free time, I rock climb, mountain bike, and advocate of environmental sustainability. As a veterinarian, I plan on continuing conservation research in hopes to aid in the health and wellbeing of animals facing anthropogenic pressures.
Estefania Benavides
Murray State University
My love for veterinary medicine emerged like every child’s dream, but became intense when living on a thoroughbred breeding farm under the supervision of my grandfather, a veterinarian from Venezuela. My interest peaked during my years in the biomedical sciences program in high school where I did independent research, leading me to present at Posters at the Capitol and a position in University of Kentucky’s biology laboratory. I knew veterinary medicine was my passion once I entered Murray State University in 2017. My thirst for knowledge and service in this field empowered me to reach out to the community and my fellow students. I began undergraduate research my second semester and I held three internship/volunteer positions during the summer after my first year: the first was volunteering at a cheetah rehabilitation facility in South Africa and the second was my internship at a small animal clinic. Lastly, on the weekends, I helped my grandfather in treating mares. By my first semester of sophomore year, this year, I became historian for my pre-veterinary medicine club, social chair for Tri-Beta (biology honors club) and ambassador for my university. Aside from animals, you may find me playing my ukulele on a sunny day, crouched drawing, reading, or shooting my bow in the gymnasium. I am eager to learn more along with serving others in my community. This laid the foundation of my interest in becoming a laboratory veterinarian: performing research and discovering treatments that can benefit many species. I expect to donate my time as a relief veterinarian and/or rehabilitation veterinarian on the side as a way to treat those that have been neglected or overlooked.
Murray State University
My love for veterinary medicine emerged like every child’s dream, but became intense when living on a thoroughbred breeding farm under the supervision of my grandfather, a veterinarian from Venezuela. My interest peaked during my years in the biomedical sciences program in high school where I did independent research, leading me to present at Posters at the Capitol and a position in University of Kentucky’s biology laboratory. I knew veterinary medicine was my passion once I entered Murray State University in 2017. My thirst for knowledge and service in this field empowered me to reach out to the community and my fellow students. I began undergraduate research my second semester and I held three internship/volunteer positions during the summer after my first year: the first was volunteering at a cheetah rehabilitation facility in South Africa and the second was my internship at a small animal clinic. Lastly, on the weekends, I helped my grandfather in treating mares. By my first semester of sophomore year, this year, I became historian for my pre-veterinary medicine club, social chair for Tri-Beta (biology honors club) and ambassador for my university. Aside from animals, you may find me playing my ukulele on a sunny day, crouched drawing, reading, or shooting my bow in the gymnasium. I am eager to learn more along with serving others in my community. This laid the foundation of my interest in becoming a laboratory veterinarian: performing research and discovering treatments that can benefit many species. I expect to donate my time as a relief veterinarian and/or rehabilitation veterinarian on the side as a way to treat those that have been neglected or overlooked.