Biology Success Story: Ariel Aguiar ’12
Subscriptions Veterinarian describes how her experience as a bio significant at Lafayette assisted her meet her desire for taking care of animals Twitter
Ariel Aguiar ’12 is a vet who methods at VCA Animal Care Center of Chicago. She concentrates on treating pet cats, canines, and also various other little creatures such as rats, hamsters, guinea pigs, as well as extra. In her function, she acts as not just a family doctor for her pint-sized patients, but additionally as a dental expert, skin specialist, cosmetic surgeon, oncologist, radiologist, and far more. Aguiar gained a Master of Science in research laboratory animal scientific research from Drexel University along with a Veterinariae Medicinae Doctoris (V.M.D.) from University of Pennsylvania. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Lafayette College. Ariel Aguiar ’12 is a veterinarian that techniques at VCA Animal Care Center of Chicago.
What do you enjoy about the job you do? How does it really feel to be able to transform the lives of animals (and their owners) by maintaining them healthy?
Our clients anticipate us to be all encompassing for their pets’ treatment, and also this means there is never a monotonous day at the workplace. I find out something brand-new everyday; therefore, it is difficult and very fulfilling. When I can ease a customer’s mind about their sick or hurt pet’s problem, or respond to the numerous concerns a new pet dog owner offers their very first visit, I feel that is a day well spent.
What stimulated your passion in veterinary medication? Was this something you constantly intended to do?
I have actually constantly wanted to be a vet, ever before given that I was a little girl. In college, as a child, I always inclined biology and science classes; scientific research was constantly my favorite topic. I came right into Lafayette understanding specifically what I wanted to do with my life and also set about figuring out just how to make that take place. I grew up with a pet cat, canine, bird, guinea pig, and also hamster, so I had plenty of animal direct exposure throughout my childhood. For the last month of my elderly year of senior high school, we all did internships, and also mine was at a small pet healthcare facility as a specialist as well as receptionist. I wound up functioning there during all institution breaks as well as after college till I began veterinary college. Working there confirmed my desire to become a vet.
Existed any kind of particular teachers, programs, or experiences that were particularly significant to you during your time at Lafayette which remain to influence your work today?
I did an independent research under my adviser, James Dearworth [associate professor of biology and also neuroscience], during my senior year at Lafayette. My research aimed to determine whether red-eared slider turtles are capable of keeping in mind the place of their indigenous fish ponds. This direct exposure to research functioned as a great structure as I moved right into my master’s level and also pursued countless various other research study tasks then as well as during my time in veterinary college. It offered me experience in producing a research subject, carrying out research, collecting and also examining data, as well as presenting at a study seminar.
I also took Dr. Dearworth’s Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy and Anatomy of Vision programs. In vet institution, we explored as well as studied numerous vertebrate types, and I had already had that direct exposure during Dr. Dearworth’s classes, where I was able to study and examine a pet cat, among other animals.
How did your other experiences at Lafayette assistance lay the foundation for your occupation?
The different leadership functions I held in club soccer, other clubs, as well as my sorority while I was a trainee at Lafayette helped me to currently be a stronger leader as a veterinarian, since we are leaders in the hospital or facility setting. This has actually brought about me helping to train brand-new veterinarians and also technicians, and I want to do more of this in the future.
The summertime prior to my elderly year at Lafayette, I also participated in a summertime course and internship program in London, where I interned at a regional vet research laboratory. There, I discovered everything about the day-to-day applications of topics I had found out in institution and also currently utilize daily for my patients, including biochemistry and biology, microbiology, hematology, as well as much more. The teaching fellowship aided form my interest in laboratory medication and research study, and it was while completing this internship that I discovered about the master’s program I would ultimately start the following summertime.
What are your objectives for the future?
I hope to function my way as much as medical supervisor or an additional leadership role within a veterinary center in the future. In this manner, I can advisor various other medical professionals and also staff, as well as I can aid our clients have the most effective top quality medication as well as service possible. I intend to continue to work as a tiny pet vet and offer any type of worried pet dog moms and dad that comes my way to the ideal of my capabilities.
What type of advice can you supply to existing biology students concerning how to apply what they’re learning to their future careers?
Capitalize on all the possibilities Lafayette College can manage you. Do the study project and/or thesis, take the teaching fellowship, shadow that regional doctor, take all the laboratory courses you can. These experiences can assist you throughout your future job and aid direct you into that career.