College of Veterinary Medicine Western University of Health Sciences

C V M S t u d e n t P r o f i l e s - C l a s s o f 2 0 1 1
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I was born and raised in Louisville,
Kentucky. I graduated from the University
of Kentucky and received a BS in animal
sciences and a biology minor. I have
dreamed of becoming a veterinarian since
I was a young boy and I’m interested in
small animal and avian medicine.
Matthew Thompson
I grew up in southeast Colorado, earned
my BS in biology and MS in ruminant
nutrition from Colorado State University.
My husband and I are both attending
WesternU, and have two chesapeakes
named Rolly and Ellie. My primary interests
are food animal and small animal medicine.
Nicole Trainor
Tiffany Trotter
Greetings from the Jersey Shore! I’m a
Rutgers University graduate and an
aspiring performance horse veterinarian.
I worked at Monmouth Park Racetrack for
four years with thoroughbred race horses
and I own my own horse that I compete
in eventing and dressage.
Karura Watanabe
I received my bachelor’s degree in animal
science with an emphasis in equine
science from University of California,
Davis. I was employed as a veterinary
technician at the equine hospitals on the
race tracks. I’m honored to be a part of
WesternU family.
I was born in Orlando, Florida.
I graduated from the University of Florida
with a BS in microbiology and entomology. It
has been my lifelong desire to be a DVM.
I plan to focus on small animals, and have an
interest in pathology. I hope to eventually
have my own clinic and sanctuary.
Michael Whaley
I was born and raised in Honolulu,
Hawaii. I obtained a bachelor’s
degree in zoology and a master’s
degree in animal sciences from the
University of Hawaii at Manoa. My
current interests are aquatic and
small animal medicine.
Lei Yamasaki
Marina Yamate
I’ve spent my whole life in SoCal and
graduated from California State Polytechnic
University, Pomona in 2005 with a BS in
animal science. My passion is small animal
medicine though I also have interests in
surgery and exotic/zoo medicine. I am
honored to be a part of WesternU.
Jae Yoo
I was born in Korea and moved to Los
Angeles, California in 1991. I attended
UC Davis and obtained a BS in animal
science. I am interested in veterinary
acupuncture and laboratory animal
medicine. I have six dogs, two cats,
and several farm animals.
I was born and raised in San Diego,
California. I graduated from Cal Poly, San
Luis Obispo with a BS in animal science.
I have been passionate about horses my
whole life and hope to have my own
equine practice. My interests include
riding horses and hiking with my dogs.
Sarah Zelonis
I am from Newburyport, Massachusetts born
and raised. I graduated from the University
of Massachusetts of Amherst in 2005
majoring in pre-vet. I took the last two years
of to work in a small animal clinic in Boston
while volunteering with everything from
horses to penguins in my free time.
Jonathan Zuker
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