Quite a lot of fish species—foxfish, flatfish, sea robins, and extra—are scattered throughout lab benches as college students mill round and hunch over them, performing necropsies and evaluating the unimaginable vary of anatomical range. Off the coast of Rhode Island, an enormous group of humpback whales surrounds a whale-watching boat, showing in each route and swimming so shut that passengers can odor their breath. That is merely a glimpse into AQUAVET I.
Over 4 weeks in the summertime, AQUAVET I introduces veterinary college students and veterinarians to the world of aquatic medication. By a plethora of lectures, pupil seminars, labs, and area journeys, the course covers varied aquatic animals, together with invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, aquatic birds, and marine mammals. Final semester, WAVMA hosted a panel the place former AQUAVET I individuals mirrored on their favourite points of the course: networking, necropsy labs, and area journeys.
Networking
Describing the sense of neighborhood at AQUAVET I, Keertti Sinnan (‘28) mentioned, “Although there are such a lot of folks concerned in it, it’s actually very intimate. It’s simply very straightforward to speak to folks there and community. It didn’t even really feel like networking.” Mads Walters (‘28) echoed this sentiment, noting that college are numerous in specialty and persona, so there are various alternatives to seek out somebody you join with. If you’re fascinated about aquatics and karaoke, rumor has it there’s a professor at AQUAVET I who would possibly share your enthusiasm!
Regardless of their busy schedules, college students discovered time to bond with not solely college but additionally fellow college students from throughout the nation. Between courses and within the evenings, they performed sports activities (frisbee, volleyball, pickleball), loved board and get together video games, gathered round bonfires, and explored the attractive campus. Off-campus adventures included journeys to Bristol, Newport, and Windfall. Although temporary, the course fostered sturdy connections and memorable experiences.
Necropsy Labs
Many AQUAVET I graduates agreed that the labs have been a serious spotlight of the course. Mads described them as alternatives the place “for essentially the most half, you simply get to discover no matter curiosities you could have.” The truth is, Mads made it their private mission to dissect out the mind of each animal they necropsied! Different individuals additionally excitedly shared the distinctive and interesting specimens they’d collected from the labs. The necropsy labs provided college students a precious hands-on studying expertise.
Aquarium Area Journeys
All through the course, the category visited a number of aquariums, gaining perception into the function and impression of veterinarians. Clare Wang (‘28) mentioned that she had no prior publicity to aquariums, however after finishing AQUAVET I, she is now significantly contemplating it as a profession path. On the Lengthy Island Aquarium, Keertti talked about her earlier visits as a Lengthy Island native and her enthusiasm for the Banggai cardinalfish naturally breeding on exhibit—feedback that led Joe Yaiullo, a curator and co-founder of the aquarium, to supply her his enterprise card and a behind-the-scenes tour. The sphere journeys broadened individuals’ views about their very own futures in aquatic medication.
Utility Data
If any of this excites you, contemplate making use of for AQUAVET I this 12 months (Could 25-June 20, 2026). Former individuals emphasize that it’s attainable to stability AQUAVET I with a summer season job on the Cornell College Hospital for Animals or enrollment within the Veterinary Investigation & Management Program.
The applying requires:
- A accomplished utility kind
- A present CV
- Official undergraduate, graduate, and veterinary college transcripts
- A Abstract of Targets and Motivations
The “Abstract of Targets and Motivations” is a simple 400-word essay. Dr. Getchell, an AQUAVET Director, recommends specializing in why you need to take part within the course, what worth it holds for you, and the way it aligns together with your profession objectives. You could find extra data right here. Functions are due January 15, 2026—better of luck to all candidates!
If you want to dive deeper into the world of AQUAVET I, hold a watch out for an upcoming publish from Cornell Okay. Lisa Yang Middle for Wildlife Well being.
Sneha Suresh
Sneha Suresh, Class of 2028, is the WildLIFE Weblog Editor. She has lived in a number of locations all through her life, together with Minnesota, South India, and Virginia. She earned a B.A. in Human Ecology on the School of the Atlantic, situated on a small island off the coast of Maine. At Cornell’s School of Veterinary Medication, Sneha works as a pupil technician at Equine and Nemo Farm Animal Hospital (ENFAH) the place she explores completely different aspects of veterinary medication and builds a basis that she hopes to translate into wildlife medication sooner or later. Her pursuits embrace conservation medication and shelter medication, notably in a global context. Exterior veterinary medication, Sneha enjoys mountain climbing, studying, and pole dancing.
