Meet the Authors
CURRENT EXTERNS:
Jason Wood
University of California- Davis, Class of 2011
Jason Wood is a 4th year student from UC Davis who is planning on pursuing a career in veterinary pathology and public health. Jason holds a Bachelors of Science, in Animal Science, also from UC Davis. After completing his undergraduate degree he worked 3 years in a diagnostic pathology laboratory where he gained his desire to pursue a more non-traditional track in veterinary medicine. Since starting veterinary school he has been his schools SAVMA Delegate for two years, pathology club and VBMA chapter presidents and is currently the Co-General Manger of the 2011 SAVMA Symposium. In order to supplement his wide variety of interests he has had 4th year externships in pathology at Massey University in New Zealand and Oklahoma State University and will follow his time at the AVMA GRD with 6 weeks of epidemiology research at the CDC in their Infectious Disease Department.
Tristan Colonius
Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Class of 2011
Tristan Colonius is currently a fourth-year veterinary medical student at the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine in Baton Rouge, his hometown. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 2008 from Louisiana State University. His main interests are animal health and welfare policy. Tristan has previously completed externships with the AVMA’s Animal Welfare Division, New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture’s Animal Welfare Directorate, and the United State Department of Agriculture’s Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service. Tristan is also interested in animal welfare education, and is currently working with several other students and faculty at LSU-SVM to establish animal welfare core and elective course hours in the professional veterinary curriculum beginning this year. Tristan is working at GRD from 7 September to 1 October 2010.
FORMER EXTERNS:
Rachel Cumberbatch
Purdue University, Class of 2011
Rachel is a fourth year veterinary student from Purdue University where she is tracking mixed animal medicine. Rachel holds a bachelor’s degree in Animal Sciences, also from Purdue University, as well as minors in Biological Sciences and International Studies in Agriculture. Rachel has had the opportunity to learn through leadership throughout her college career. She has served as president of the Purdue Veterinary Business Management Association (09-10), member of the Board of Directors for the Timmy Foundation (07-10) and member of the Purdue Board of Trustees (05-07). 4-H introduced Rachel to veterinary medicine; but, it was traveling internationally that sparked her passion for veterinary public health. Experiences in Honduras, China and Morocco gave her an appreciation for the role of animal agriculture in maintaining a foundation by which to build and sustain a strong community. Rachel will be serving as an AVMA extern throughout the month of June. She will graduate in May 2011 and hopes to go into mixed animal practice before pursuing her Master’s in Public Health.
Anthony Bartels
Colorado State University, Class of 2012
Anthony is a third year veterinary student at Colorado State University. He has recently completed his MBA as part of a five year combined MBA/DVM program at CSU this past May 2010. Anthony will begin clinical experience this fall and. He is working with the AVMA in Washington, D.C. as a Governmental Relations Division Extern during the month of June 2010.
Amanda Bisol
University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Class of 2011
Amanda is a third year veterinary student at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in Philadelphia. She grew up in rural Kutztown, PA and went to Worcester Polytechnic Institute where she received a B.S. in Biotechnology with a double major in Technical, Scientific, and Professional Communication. While there, she volunteered at Tufts Veterinary School Wildlife Clinic and worked as a dairy herdsman on a farm in Pennsylvania. Upon matriculating at Penn, Amanda soon realized her interest in veterinary medicine went beyond general practice so throughout her initial three years she has worked to learn about the different career options for veterinarians. She was the president of the Penn Vet Animal Welfare Society, and this past year was she was the president of Penn’s Student Chapter of the AVMA. Amanda’s main goals are to pursue her interests in food animal medicine and American agriculture on a national level in the hope of obtaining a career with the USDA upon graduation.
Rebecca Steers
Tufts University, Class of 2010
Rebecca is a fourth year veterinary student at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, where she will also earn a Post-Graduate Certificate in International Veterinary Medicine. Originally from New Hampshire, Rebecca received her Bachelor of Arts in Hispanic Studies, with a Chemistry minor, from Boston College. She then worked as a veterinary technician at the Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston before returning to school. Rebecca has been fortunate enough to be involved in the Student American Veterinary Medical Association, both at her local Chapter and most recently as the national President from 2009-2010. Her positions in SAVMA have helped give her a unique perspective on the importance of advocacy and the role of veterinarians in public policy. Upon graduation, Rebecca will be commissioned as a Captain in the US Army Veterinary Corps, having been a part of their Health Professionals Scholarship Program, and her first assignment will be in Okinawa, Japan.
Van Brass
University of Florida, Class of 2011
Van is currently a third year student at the University Of Florida College Of Veterinary Medicine. While concurrently working towards a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and a Masters of Public Health, Van serves as the President of the UF chapter of VOICE as well as serving as the national Vice President. He is also a member of SCAVMA, AABP, AAEP, as well as involvement with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Alachua Co, FL and other local civic organizations. A native of Monroe, LA, he received his B.S. in Biology from Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, LA in 2004 after becoming a USDA 1890 Scholar. Van served as an Animal Health Technician with USDA-APHIS-VS from 2004-2007. His career interests include food animal medicine, public health, as well as integration of community service outreach through veterinary medicine. Van will be serving as the Extern for February 2010.
Kelvin Urday
University of Missouri, Class of 2011
Kelvin Urday is currently a third year veterinary student at the University of Missouri. Kelvin grew up in a rural area outside of Dallas, Texas. He did his undergraduate studies at the University of Missouri as a member of the Pre-Veterinary Scholars Program, a pre admission program at Missouri. During Veterinary School, he served as President of the Student Chapter of the American Animal Hospital Association, Vice President of The Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association, and as Student Liaison to the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association. Kelvin is interested in eventually entering academia after working in private practice and public health.
Tara Marmulak, PharmD
Clinical Pharmacy Resident, University of California, Davis
Tara completed her undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences at the University of Guelph and her Pharm D at Purdue University. After graduating from Purdue, she worked as a staff pharmacist at a community hospital and independent retail pharmacy for several years. Eventually, she decided to pursue a career in academia resulting in her becoming the current resident in veterinary pharmacy at the University of California, Davis, school of veterinary medicine. There, she works to answer both clinician and client medication questions, work on research projects and answer extra label use withdrawal questions for FARAD. When not at the VMTH, she can be found with her husband, Greg, enjoying the beautiful California weather and the close proximity to Tahoe and Napa Valley. Tara is scheduled to be in Washington November 9th through the 20th.
Elizabeth Nunamaker, Ph.D.
Purdue University Class of 2009
extern1@avma.org
Dr. Nunamaker’s previous experience includes interning first with the Indiana State Board of Animal Health and then with the USDA Foreign Animal Disease. Her background will serve her well as she advocates the AVMA’s positions on animal research and welfare. Dr. Nunamaker is scheduled to be in Washington, DC from October 5-26.
Tyler Foreman
Texas A&M University, Class of 2010
Tyler’s first word several months after birth, was dog and his second was filibuster. Thus, his life was set forth on the path that led him to the AVMA-GRD externship, where he is able to combine his two loves: veterinary medicine and politics. The story may not go exactly like that, but Tyler is currently a fourth year at Texas A&M University. He received his B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Missouri in 2006. It was during his time at Mizzou that he gained an interest in politics. While in veterinary school, Tyler participated in the Government Action Committee of SCAVMA as well as reinstituted the veterinary school’s involvement with the Texas A&M Graduate Student Council. Last summer, he interned for former Congressman Nick Lampson (TX-22). In his spare time, he enjoys bike riding, long walks on the beach, candlelit dinners by a fire and horseback riding on the Scottish highlands during a sunset. But seeing as how he does not have time to do any of those things while in veterinary school, he finds time for the usual vet student after hours activities and of course, keeping up with the political landscape as much as possible. Upon graduation, he intends to apply for a Small Animal rotating internship and ultimately practice small animal medicine in an area of the country that will appreciate his dry sense of humor.
Virginia Kiefer
Unversity of Tennessee, Class of 2010
Virginia is a native of Cleveland, Ohio. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Zoology with a Minor in Neuroscience from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Since the age of 7, she has been an avid horseback rider and equine enthusiast, including 4 years on the Miami University Equestrian Team. She is currently in her fourth year at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. Her interests include equine and small animal medicine, public health, public policy, environmental conservation, servant leadership, and animal welfare. She was the SCAVMA President for her school and is currently the International Exchange Officer on the SAVMA Executive Board. She also serves on the Member Services Committee of the AVMA. She has a passion for travelling, and has been to many beautiful and interesting places, including New Zealand, Spain, France, Poland, Belgium, Italy, Monaco, Turkey, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Germany, Holland, and Scotland. Her other hobbies include running, reading, and any activity out on the water. As far as life beyond graduation, she is keeping her options open, but will most likely pursue an internship in small animal medicine. Eventually she would like to earn a master’s degree in public health and work in academia.
Shannon Mesenhowski
University of Minnesota, Class of 2010
Shannon Mesenhowski is a fourth year DVM student at the University of Minnesota. Along with her DVM she is also earning her Master of Public Health degree. During veterinary school she has been active in organized veterinary medicine and leadership on both a national and local level. Prior to veterinary school she earned her BS from Purdue University in Biology with Spanish minor. She then worked in Chicago as a chemistry laboratory technician at a large pharmaceutical company as well as at an organ transplantation research company as a perfusion technician. After graduation she hopes to pursue a career that will incorporate her DVM and MPH degrees working on international development of animal agriculture using sustainable methods. She enjoys traveling and has been on veterinary trips in Costa Rica and Nicaragua and will work in Morocco later this year as an extern.
Emily Olson
Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Class of 2010
Emily Olson is a fourth year veterinary student at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine (VMRCVM). Emily’s experiences in state student government in high school and lobbying with the Maryland Farm Bureau motivated her to become involved in organized veterinary medicine as soon at she began veterinary school. During her education she has been involved with the Student AVMA as the VMRCVM Delegate and an active member of the Governmental Affairs Committee. Within that committee she served as the Student Liaison to the AVMA Political Action Committee. This past March she worked closely with the AVMA-GRD to plan the first annual Veterinary Student Legislative Day in Washington D. C. She worked hard with her committee to make her idea of the day a reality and a success. Emily is from Reisterstown, Maryland and completed her undergraduate degree from Virginia Tech (GO HOKIES!!!), and plans to pursue an internship in equine practice.
Jeffrey Stupine
University of Pennsylvania, Class of 2009
Jeffrey Stupine is a 4th year veterinary student at the University of Pennsylvania. He grew up in Abington, PA and graduated from the George Washington University with a B.A. in economics. After spending several years as an equity trader for several firms in Philadelphia, Jeff decided to change career paths and pursue a degree in veterinary medicine. Jeff is interested in Shelter Medicine and seeks to combine his background of medicine, business, and marketing to improve the level of care in animal shelters all across this nation. In his spare time Jeff enjoys playing guitar, keeping up on current events, and walking his dog, “Flooper”.
Melissa Austin
University of Missouri, Class of 2009
Melissa Austin is a soon-to-be-graduating fourth year veterinary student at the University of Missouri. While in veterinary school, she has served in the following capacities: Missouri delegate to the Student AVMA, compliance chair to the National Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA), secretary to Missouri’s chapter of the VBMA, extern for the National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues (NCVEI), extern for Dr. Charlotte Lacroix, DVM, JD, Sue Shear Fellow at the 21st Century Leadership Academy, participant within the 2009 AVMA National Veterinary Student Legislative day, and committee member of the AAHA Accreditation Awareness Group. She will be an extern from April 6-May 1, 2009.
Kirk Breuninger
University of Pennsylvania, Class of 2010
Kirk Breuninger is a 3rd year veterinary student at the University of Pennsylvania. He grew up in Bucks County, PA and graduated from University of Maryland, College Park with a B.S. in Animal Sciences and a Citation in Environmental Studies from College Park Scholars Program. At Penn, Kirk serves as Class President and as immediate-past Vice President of his SCAVMA Chapter. In his free time, he enjoys rock climbing and training for running events.
Amber Andersen
Western University, Class of 2009
Amber is a 4th year at Western University of Health Sciences. Originally from San Diego, she graduated with a B.S in Animal Science from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She has worked extensively with the California Veterinary Medical Association serving at the Board and House level. Amber is currently enrolled in the Master of Public Health program at University of Minnesota. She will be an extern from March 2 – 27.
Stic Harris
University of Georgia, Class of 2009
Cornell University, Class of 2010
Calhoon has demonstrated leadership on his campus by serving as the President of the Veterinary Students for Animal Welfare and as an executive board member of the local SCAVMA chapter. Prior to entering veterinary school, he won a Fulbright grant, earning a Master’s in Sociology at the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Calhoon is scheduled to be in Washington, DC from February 2-27.
Western University of Health Sciences
Laura Chan is a 4th year veterinary student at Western University of Health Sciences. Born in Hong Kong but raised in California, she graduated with a BS degree from the University of California at Berkeley. Her involvement in organized veterinary medicine and political action stems from a position on the executive board for SAVMA’s House of Delegates and participation in the Veterinary Leadership Experience (VLE). She is currently interested in small animal critical care medicine and is active in the international veterinary community, student affairs, and public policy.Univeristy of Illinois
Emi Eaton is a 4th year veterinary student from the University of Illinois. Originally from California, Emi moved to the Midwest and received a BA in Sociology/Anthropology from Carleton College. She worked for three years as a laboratory technician in functional genomics, while continuing her education and volunteering at various humane societies and wildlife rehabilitation facilities. Emi’s interests include shelter medicine, animal welfare, humane education, and veterinary medical law. Following graduation, Emi looks forward to joining her husband and animal family in Amity, Oregon.Iowa State Univeristy
Erin Brown is a fourth-year veterinary student at Iowa State University. Originally from South Dakota, she also received a B.S. in Animal Science from Iowa State University. At home she is joined by husband Kyle, Border Collie Nessie, and DSH Abe. Her current interests include small ruminants and camelids (minor use/minor species), disaster response, and livestock nutrition.
Univeristy of Minnesota
Ian Rubinoff is a 4th year veterinary student. Originally from Rhode Island, he gravitated west to Minnesota where he is joined by wife Colleen, dog Bailey, and two cats, Mia and Gus. At the University of Minnesota he is studying poultry medicine and public health. In addition to working with poultry and public health, Ian is interested in avian influenza research, public policy, food protection and defense, and the integration of agriculture systems.
Univeristy of Florida
Tonya Stephens is a 4th year student at the University of Florida. Her primary focus is equine medicine and surgery with an emphasis in theriogenology. With bachelors and masters degrees from Texas A&M University, the Texan transplant transferred to the University of Florida to complete a doctorate of philosophy in equine nutrition and exercise physiology. Upon graduation, she worked at Equine Medical Center of Ocala until starting veterinary school.
Tonya grew up in rural Texas on a large family dairy and beef operation with horses for cattle work and a hobby. During her school career, she has been involved in all areas of the horse world including internship with the British Horseracing Board, polo groom and player, pin hooking race horses, and currently an award winning pleasure horse farm.
Univeristy of Georgia