She Didn’t See Anyone Who Looked Like Her in Vet Med—So She Became the One to Watch

When Hiba Ali dreamed of becoming a veterinarian, she didn’t have a blueprint to follow. She didn’t know anyone in her community who had taken that path. She didn’t see herself reflected in the textbooks, the classrooms, or the professionals in white coats. But she knew one thing for sure—her love for animals and her calling to care for them was undeniable.

Now, as a first-year veterinary student at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Hiba is doing more than just chasing her dream—she’s forging a new path for the next generation to follow.

“I didn’t see many people who looked like me in this field,” she says, reflecting on her experience growing up in Fort Lauderdale as a Pakistani Muslim woman. “But that only made me more determined to be the representation I once needed.”

"From a young age, Hiba was drawn to the natural world, especially to animals like lions, monkeys, and tigers. 'Seeing wildlife up close changes your perspective,' she says. 'It makes you realize how much more there is beyond our everyday lives.' "

That sense of wonder grew into a fierce dedication to zoo, wildlife, and exotic animal medicine, and eventually, a deep commitment to conservation medicine. Her hero? None other than the legendary Jane Goodall. “Watching her work with chimpanzees and speak up for animals lit a fire in me,” Hiba says. “She showed me that women belong in the wild, doing the work, not just observing from the sidelines.”

But the road to vet school wasn’t paved with ease. As a woman of color and a first-generation veterinary student, Hiba had to fight past barriers of access, cultural expectations, and self-doubt. The pressure to succeed, to represent her community, and to live up to the dream she held so tightly was intense.

“There were moments I felt like giving up,” she admits. “But something in me always pushed a little harder.”

That something, she says, is a mix of persistence, curiosity, and compassion—three core values that have become her guiding light.

“Persistence got me through the hard days. Curiosity kept me hungry to learn. And compassion—whether for people or animals—has opened more doors than I can count. Whether it’s for animals or people, leading with empathy has opened so many doors and meaningful connections."

Now that she’s in veterinary school, Hiba is finding her stride. She’s not only learning clinical skills and scientific concepts—she’s learning how to show up unapologetically as herself in a profession that hasn’t always welcomed diversity. And she’s passionate about using her voice to address the bigger issues plaguing the field.

“Burnout and mental health are huge problems in vet med,” she says. “We’re expected to give everything—our time, our energy, our hearts—but there isn’t always enough support in return. That needs to change.”

For Hiba, purpose is what fuels her even when motivation is low. “Purpose is what keeps you going when things get hard,” she says. “It’s that quiet voice that reminds you why you started in the first place.”

She’s already making waves—sharing her story, uplifting others, and redefining what a veterinarian looks like. No wonder she was chosen as a Vet Candy Rising Star!

Her message to others, especially young women and girls from underrepresented backgrounds?

"It gets better. The struggles, the self-doubt, the moments you feel like you’re not enough—they pass. Keep going. You’re building a life that younger you would be proud of. Trust the timing, and don’t be afraid to take up space."

From Fort Lauderdale to LSU and beyond, Hiba Ali is proving that with a little courage, a lot of heart, and a fierce sense of purpose, anything is possible. She’s not just studying to become a veterinarian—she’s becoming the kind of role model she once searched for.

And trust us—you’ll want to remember her name.