Maria Gonzalez | Class of '20
My name is Maria and I will be starting my fourth year here at UC Davis this coming spring. I am a pre-veterinary student who initially chose the animal biology major because the required courses matched the best with what was needed for entrance into vet school. While this is true, I have discovered that the animal biology major does much more than prepare students for veterinary school applications. The ABI major opens several opportunities for students during undergrad and also post-undergrad, with research being one. The practicum project required from the major encourages students to explore various research opportunities and take part in conducting real-world, applicable research with faculty and graduate students. While it may seem daunting at first, I can say that the experience of being part of a laboratory truly mentors, trains, and encourages students to become more confident life scientists. I especially love the diversity amongst ABI majors as every student molds their own curriculum specific to their interests. In fact, I have yet to come across two ABI majors with the same laboratory, elective, and internship track.
Here at UC Davis I have taken advantage of a unique range of opportunities. I first interned with the campus dairy, working as both a calf feeder and a cow management intern. The summer after my freshman year, I helped collect samples for a research trial on ketosis in cattle with the UC Davis Veterinary Medicine Teaching and Research Center (VMTRC) extension in Tulare, CA. Working with the VMTRC allowed me to dip my toes in research, helped align some of my interests, and served as a basic foundation for future research experiences. I was able to return to the VMTRC and work directly with dairy veterinarians. This was exciting as I got to palpate about 40 dairy cows! My experiences with the VMTRC made me a strong candidate for a research position in Dr. Hess’s microbial systems laboratory. In Dr. Hess’s lab I began by testing the effect of various biological feed additives on methane production in ruminants using advanced in vitro models like the Rumen Simulation Technique. My practicum project involves a further investigation of the in vitro models used for modeling enteric fermentation that takes place in ruminants. Working in Dr. Hess’s lab allowed me to exploit more opportunities such as taking part in the URC’s annual spring conference, presenting with the VIP program, and receiving the Provost’s Undergraduate Fellowship. In addition to my research experience with the Hess Lab, I have taken advantage of the Vet Aide Club’s quarterly internships. For two quarters, I spent my time with equine veterinarians, faculty, vet students, and technicians as a large animal surgery intern. I enjoyed the teaching hospital setting, gained a greater interest in working with equids, and witnessed colic surgeries, molar extractions, and lameness examinations to name a few. This surgical experience prompted me to apply for another surgery related internship: microsurgery on rats and mice! I went from working with 1000+ pound animals to working with mice barely weighing 20 grams. The surgeries conducted on laboratory animals allow labs on and off campus to study and test treatments for stroke and heart failure in humans. This internship has proven to be one of my all-time favorites as Dr. Chen, the coordinator, challenges us and offers us plenty of hands-on experience with microsurgery. Overall, the ABI major has been anything but limiting, it has given me the freedom to explore my personal interests and I would strongly recommend the major to any student interested in the health sciences or life science research.