Meet Inspira Advantage’s Vet School Admissions Experts

Dr. Pires is a graduate of Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, where she pursued combined DVM and PhD degrees. Upon graduation, she received the Bob Rosenthal Senior Student Award for her contributions to clinical oncology. She also served on the DVM/PhD admissions committee for five years.

Dr. Molk is a laboratory animal medicine veterinarian who obtained a VMD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine after earning a BS in animal science from Cornell University. She also completed a Master’s degree in comparative medicine while simultaneously completing her residency in laboratory animal medicine from the University of Washington. She also started and acted as Admissions Director for the Massachusetts General Hospital Laboratory Animal Medicine and Management Residency Program for four years.

Dr. Cucui is a first-generation veterinarian who studied at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. After earning her DVM, Dr. Cucui practiced at a private, non-profit animal shelter in Buffalo, NY, where she also taught third and fourth-year veterinary students on rotation from Lincoln Memorial University. Currently, she runs her own relief practice specializing in spay/neuter services and shelter medicine.

Dr. Young graduated with a DVM from Iowa State University while simultaneously completing an MPH at the University of Iowa. As a veterinarian and scientist, she is working toward a PhD in biomedical science and immunology from UC San Diego. She has years of experience acting as a mentor, teaching assistant, and tutor, successfully guiding students through application cycles and rigorous veterinary curricula.

Dr. Belleville graduated with a BS in animal science from California Polytechnic State University and a DVM from the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. She has over five years of experience in small animal clinical practice (including exotics), general practice, telemedicine, and relief work. With 10 years of coaching experience, Dr. Belleville has helped applicants get accepted to vet schools at UC Davis, Oregon State University, and the University of Pennsylvania.

With eight years of coaching and admissions experience, Dr. Kim has reviewed hundreds of applications and interviewed candidates as a member of the Ohio State University College Of Veterinary Medicine admissions committee. He has served as a senior advisor at the University of Louisville Pre-Veterinary Society and has collaborated with pre-veterinary program directors and vet school admissions teams nationwide.

Dr. Bianchi is a veterinarian who graduated from the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. With over five years of coaching experience, she has mentored several students who have been accepted to the nation’s top 10 veterinary schools. She is particularly adept at helping students navigate the VMCAS application cycle, write compelling essays, and prepare for interviews.

Catherine attended the University of Tulsa before attending the Iowa State College of Veterinary Medicine. With extensive coaching experience, Catherine leverages her background in recruiting veterinarians and her executive assistant role in a vet corporation to guide pre-vet students. She specializes in application planning, personal statements, and interview preparation, drawing from her own successful vet school application journey.

Dr. Nielson is a small animal veterinarian with extensive experience in clinical practice, research, and admissions mentorship. She earned a DVM from Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, following an MS in bioscience and health policy from Rice University and a BS in biology and English from Trinity University. She has mentored aspiring pre-vet students for 10 years, helping them get into some of the nation’s most competitive programs.

Dr. Poulsen is a board-certified veterinarian with over 25 years of mentorship experience and more than six years of admissions committee service at top veterinary schools. He currently serves as the Director of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (WVDL) and holds a faculty appointment in medical sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, where he also earned his DVM and PhD degrees.

Aditi graduated from the University of California, Davis with a Bachelor's in animal science in just three years before attending the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. With years of mentoring, tutoring, and counseling experience, Aditi has helped students navigate the admissions process confidently—past students she has coached have been accepted to Western University, Louisiana State University, the University of Colorado, and other schools.

Dr. Merkatoris is a board-certified Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. He completed both a BS in animal science and a DVM at the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Veterinary Medicine before pursuing advanced surgical training through a residency in large animal surgery at Iowa State University. Currently, he works as an assistant teaching professor of large animal surgery at the UW School of Veterinary Medicine and a large animal surgeon with UW Veterinary Care.

Dr. McDowell is a general practice veterinarian who earned a BS in zoology from Michigan State University and a DVM from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She has built a robust clinical career across full-time practice and relief work, bringing a range of experiences to her role as an admissions counselor. Dr. McDowell has helped students get into top schools such as Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Lyboldt is an associate professor of practice at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, where she obtained a DVM and served on the admissions committee as an application reader. Prior to vet school, she attended Bucknell University, graduating with a BS in biology and a minor in chemistry. She also has advanced training in veterinary medical education from the Royal Veterinary College in the UK. Dr. Lyboldt has 15+ years of clinical, teaching, and mentorship experience.

Dr. Reilly is an Assistant Professor of Physiological Sciences at Old Dominion University and the attending veterinarian for Virginia Health Sciences. She founded All Species Veterinary Consulting, providing specialized guidance to various institutions and organizations, including vet school admissions committees, research organizations, and government agencies. Dr. Reilly has served as an admissions committee member and interviewer for the Eastern Virginia Medical School's Master's in Lab Animal Sciences program, the Virginia Zoological Society Internship, and the Fort Worth Zoological Board Internship.

Dr. Daugherty is a veterinarian and former Owner and Medical Director of Poland Veterinary Centre in Ohio, where he led a respected small-animal practice for over 30 years. He earned a BS in zoology and a DVM from the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, where he also served as an admissions application evaluator. With decades of clinical and leadership experience, Dr. Daugherty offers students invaluable insight into the veterinary profession and the admissions process.

Dr. Schnabel is a board-certified specialist in equine orthopedic surgery, sports medicine, and rehabilitation who graduated with a DVM from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Schnabel joined the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine faculty over 12 years ago and has acted as Director of the Comparative Medicine and Translational Research Training Program and as an admissions committee member, reviewing 500+ applications and interviewing 100+ candidates.

Dr. Sondgeroth is a senior staff veterinarian with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and a former associate professor at the University of Wyoming. With over 11 years of mentorship and coaching experience, she has guided aspiring veterinarians to successful admission at top veterinary programs, including Colorado State University, Washington State University, Midwestern University, and Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Burris graduated from the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, where he also served as an admissions committee reviewer for five years. He double-majored in biomedical engineering and sociology with a minor in Africana studies from Tufts University and an MS in medical science from Hampton University Graduate College before attending vet school.

Dr. Webb brings a distinguished background in animal agriculture, research, and veterinary medicine to her role as an admissions counselor for prospective veterinary students. She worked as a poultry scientist for Boehringer Ingelheim for six years and graduated with a Master’s in animal science from North Carolina State University before attending vet school. She currently works as an associate veterinarian in Georgia.

Dr. Zimmerman is a veterinarian, educator, and mentor with over 20 years of experience in clinical practice, veterinary medical communications, and veterinary education. She graduated cum laude from Delaware Valley College with a degree in animal science before earning a DVM from Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Zimmerman served on her vet school’s admissions committee as an application reviewer and interviewer for four years.

Dr. Ifkovits earned a DVM from the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating with a sub-focus in epidemiology and induction into the Phi Zeta Honor Society. During vet school, he completed research through the Veterinary Scholars Program Research Internship and presented his findings at the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Ifkovits has over five years of small animal general practice and mentorship experience.

Dr. Dalamangas is a seasoned veterinarian with a diverse background in small animal medicine, veterinary academia, and telehealth. She earned a DVM from the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine and currently holds multiple roles in the field, including adjunct faculty at Massasoit Community College and associate veterinarian at Home Heart Vets.

Dr. Yeager graduated with a BA in liberal studies from the College of Saint Benedict before earning an MPH from Benedictine University and a DVM from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. With 10+ years of experience across general practice, shelter medicine, education, and governmental work, Dr. Yeager is passionate about helping the next generation of aspiring veterinarians get accepted to their dream schools.

Erik graduated with a BS in chemical engineering from Drexel University and a BS in pre-veterinary medicine from the University of Delaware. Erik also earned an MBA from Colorado State University before pursuing his DVM from the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. With over five years of coaching and mentorship experience, Erik is passionate about helping students get accepted to veterinary school.

Dr. O’Brien graduated with a VMD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and a Master of veterinary medicine from the Royal Veterinary College in London, where he also completed his residency in anatomic pathology. With 10 years of admissions committee experience, Dr. O’Brien has interviewed countless candidates as an admissions representative at the University of Pennsylvania, Royal Veterinary College, and NYU Abu Dhabi.

Dr. Jablinski holds a Bachelor’s in animal science with a chemistry minor from Murray State University. She graduated with a DVM from Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine before pursuing advanced training at Kansas State University, completing a residency in large animal internal medicine and a Master’s in veterinary biomedical sciences. Dr. Jablinski has served as an application reviewer and interviewer at Kansas State and Iowa State University’s vet schools.

Dr. Vallarelli is a small animal general practitioner who earned a Bachelor’s degree in animal science with minors in biology and chemistry from the University of Findlay, followed by a DVM from Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine. During her time at LMU, she also earned an MBA, balancing both degrees while working two jobs and still making time for mentorship and leadership.

Dr. Acosta earned a BS in physics and general science from Portland State University and graduated with a DVM from the Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine. While at OSU, she was recognized with the Biomedical Research Program Award, the Academic Honor Award, and the Zoetis/AVMF Scholarship. Her research contributions include co-authored publications in two research articles on PubMed.

Dr. Stonerook holds a DVM and PhD in physiology from the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He brings six years of veterinary admissions experience from Lincoln Memorial University, where he served as an application reviewer, interviewer, and committee member with decision-making authority. During his time on the committee, he reviewed over 600 applications annually and interviewed dozens of prospective students each cycle.