May 2022 ABI Student of the Month: Daniel Colon

Hi! I’m Daniel Colón. I am a fourth year student within the major, minoring in Oceanography. I am currently a student manager at the Coffee House, an officer in the Knights Landing One Health Clinic (KLOHC), and a member of the Finno Laboratory. At KLOHC, I work alongside others to provide free clinic access to a low income community. My primary role is to help with medicine administration during clinics. The Finno Laboratory has given me the privilege of working on an ongoing project studying the genetic basis of diseases related to Vitamin E deficiency. I have additionally spent some time volunteering at the California Raptor Center. These opportunities have expanded my skillsets as an individual and as a leader. Through them, I have also been able to meet many wonderful people that have influenced my growth during my time at UC Davis.

I initially entered UC Davis as an animal science student; however, I was drawn to the freedom to pursue multiple interests provided by the Animal Biology Major. These interests include marine biology and pathophysiology. Throughout college, I have shifted between the idea of pursuing a full time career as a researcher or receiving a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. This major has given me the opportunity to experiment with my interests and find the career path most suited to me. After graduating this year, I plan on taking a gap year to prepare to apply to veterinary school and to allow myself a break from academics so that I may enter veterinary school fully prepared for the challenges ahead.