Lily M.

During her undergraduate years, Lily earned a place on the Dean's List every semester and served on the executive board of the Honors College. She also gained hands-on experience working full-time as a veterinary technician at a general practice veterinary hospital. She further expanded her clinical skills during her gap year, working as a veterinary assistant and surgical technician in the Neurology Department at MedVet Chicago.

Lily has become a permanent member of the Wildlife Epidemiology Laboratory at UIUC. As an active turtle team leader, she is mapping the prevalence of Chlamydia spp. in native turtles and investigating its public health implications—a subject that forms the basis of her MPH thesis project. This research demonstrates her commitment to the One Health approach, bridging veterinary medicine with public health concerns.

Lily's leadership skills and dedication to the veterinary profession are evident in her various roles within the school community. She serves as the Zoetis student representative, secretary of the Surgical club, and clinical pathology representative of the pathology club.

As an admissions coach, Lily is passionate about advancing the veterinary field by guiding and supporting aspiring veterinarians. Her approach to mentoring focuses on helping applicants with organization, creating effective to-do lists, and improving their writing and critical thinking skills for the essay portion of the application process. Lily values direct and honest communication within the veterinary profession and encourages students to openly discuss their fears, obstacles, and any concerns they may have.

Drawing from her personal experience overcoming immigration-related challenges, Lily offers insights into dealing with imposter syndrome—a common experience among students and professionals. She provides students with practical tools to face such challenges, helping them build confidence and resilience as they pursue their veterinary careers.