Alyssa Pires

I am currently an undergraduate student at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, studying Animal Science and Pathobiology. I am also on the Pre-vet tract, in order, to get into vet school. I am from Monroe, CT and I have volunteered at a local animal shelter during my high school career to gain more experience and build my confidence around various animals. At UConn, I am currently involved in a research project in the Pathobiology lab testing a vaccine for the Coccidia virus in avian species. In addition, I am heavily involved in Sigma Alpha, which is a professional agricultural sorority that promotes scholarship, leadership, service and fellowship among its members. In this club I hold the positions of Historian, which entails that I make a record of all the events and fundraisers we are involved in, and the Scholarship Chair, where I make sure that the sorority fulfills its requirements as an academic club. I am, also, a member of Alpha Zeta, which is an agricultural base professional fraternity that I am currently the secretary of. Furthermore, I'm involved in UConn's Pre-Vet club, where I also hold the Historian position. When I'm not at school, I still try to keep busy by volunteering at the Norwalk Veterinary Hospital and Boarding House, furthering my knowledge and interest in veterinary care. Over shorter breaks like in the spring, I like to further my education even more by studying abroad; this past break I went to Nicaragua with the WorldVets organization, where we worked at a local veterinary clinic learning how to prep small animals for surgery and how to administer various vaccines. I am constantly searching for many different opportunities to further my education and to better prepare myself for my future in veterinary medicine.