Rising Stars: Meet the Veterinary Students Who Are Changing Vet Med
Every generation of veterinary medicine has a moment when new voices step forward and change the conversation. Vet Candy's Rising Stars program exists to find those voices early — and make sure the profession knows their names.
These are the veterinary students, new graduates, and early-career DVMs who are already doing the work. They are researchers, advocates, innovators, and clinicians who chose this profession with intention and are building something worth paying attention to. We profile them not because they have arrived, but because they are on their way — and this community deserves to watch them get there.
Rising Stars is published annually by Vet Candy, the leading media platform for veterinary professionals, with over 50,000 members across the globe.
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 that her love for animals and her calling to care for them was undeniable.
Elisa Geranios is chasing two degrees and a future at the public health table.
Elisavet Geranios will tell you she does not know what she would do if she were not becoming a veterinarian. Then, if you press her, she will give you two answers: English professor and stand-up comedian. Her mother, for the record, votes for comedian. But veterinary medicine called louder than either, and Elisa has been sprinting toward it ever since she stepped off a plane in South Africa and saw a sign that changed everything.
From Center Stage to Cattle Calls: Micala Henson’s Unique Path to Veterinary Medicine
Micala Henson’s journey to veterinary school has been anything but conventional. From the bright lights of musical theatre to the rugged landscapes of rural veterinary medicine, her path has been marked by resilience, adaptability, and a deep-seated passion for service. As a military spouse, mother of three, and dedicated advocate for increasing veterinary care in remote communities, Micala’s story is one of transformation and unwavering commitment.
From LVT to DVM: Kristi Casale's Journey Is Just Getting Started
Kristi Casale spent six years as a licensed veterinary technician before stepping back, starting over, and earning her seat in vet school. She'll tell you the detour was the whole point.
Meet the Caribbean Visionary Who Led SAVMA and Is Now Heading to Kentucky to Pursue Equine Medicine
Read about the inspiring story of Kyle Jorel Frett, a Class of 2025 graduate of Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine. As the former President of the Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA), Kyle's journey is about more than ambition, it's about transforming the future of veterinary medicine, all while staying true to his passion for equine surgery.
Maddy Sampson is just getting started.
Maddy Sampson has been following sea turtles, manatees, and a sense of purpose since she was seventeen. She is just getting started.
Jean Carlos Alvarado Colon is not done.
Meet one of Vet Candy’s Rising Stars of Vet Med 2026. Jean Carlos Alvarado Colon's parents gave him one piece of advice before he left Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. It was short. It was in Spanish. And it changed the course of everything that followed.
From Jamba Juice to Vet School: How Khali Robinson Is Breaking Barriers in Vet Med
Khali Robinson spent her first paycheck on a dog. She was a teenager working the Jamba Juice counter, blending smoothies and learning the basics of a budget, when she decided that her first real earnings were going toward something that mattered.
Discover Jeremiah Pouncy's Mission: Saving Animals and Empowering Communities
In the halls of Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, a remarkable story is unfolding — one that challenges the very fabric of veterinary medicine. Jeremiah Pouncy, a third-year student with a resume that reads like a seasoned entrepreneur, is pioneering a new path in veterinary care. With the heart of a dreamer and the mind of an innovator, his journey is a tapestry woven with ambition, compassion, and a relentless pursuit of change.
From Engineering to Endangered Species: How Ahan Jain Found His True Calling in Veterinary Medicine
When Ahan Jain started college, veterinary medicine wasn't even on the map. His early plan was clear: a career in biomedical engineering, developing prosthetics for animals, a practical choice that promised shorter schooling and less debt than veterinary medicine.
Amanda Lo McGregor Played for Thousands and Then Chose a Different Stage
Amanda Lo McGregor has never done things the conventional way. She has stood in the wings of sold-out arenas, violin in hand, performing alongside some of the biggest names in music. She has felt the rush of stadium lights and the particular electricity of a crowd that stretches as far as you can see. And then, deliberately and joyfully, she walked away from all of it to pursue something she wanted just as much.
How Amber Elalem Is Building Something Real
Amber Elalem has been helping dogs get the care they need for the past five years. A vet tech currently pursuing a Master's in Veterinary Medicine, Amber is dedicated to helping pets and their families and she is doing it in more ways than one.
Taylor Smallwood Is Graduating, Licensed, and Ready to Change the World of Small Animal Medicine
"You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make." These words, spoken by the renowned Jane Goodall, have never felt more fitting than they do for Taylor Smallwood, who is closing out her final year at the Western University and stepping into the profession she has spent her entire life preparing for.
Sydney Paris Survived Homelessness. Now She's Rewriting the Rules on Who Gets to Be a Veterinarian
Cornell Vet Student, Sydney Paris, had already logged over 2,000 volunteer hours before she ever set foot in a veterinary classroom. Not because it looked good on an application. Not because someone told her it was required. Because service wasn't something she did, she did it because it was survival, community, and the only path she knew forward.
Twinkle’s Bright Future: How Dilmeet Kaur is Lighting Up Veterinary Medicine
When you meet Dilmeet “Twinkle” Kaur, a member of the 2028 Class at Purdue University, get ready for a whirlwind of passion, ambition, and a heart full of dreams. Ask her what excites her about veterinary medicine, and you’ll get an inspiring list that spans from small animal medicine to wildlife conservation, from emergency care to international outreach, and everything in between.
Finding Grace in the Deep End – Jessie Sun’s Journey to Veterinary Medicine
When Jessie Sun moved to the United States from China at just 14 years old, she didn’t expect that one of the most powerful lessons she’d ever learn would be so simple: “Most people don’t know what they’re doing.” The advice came from a mentor, and it landed like a lifeline—one that reshaped the way Jessie viewed herself and the world around her.
She Became a Vet Student at 27 With a Toddler—Now She’s Proving Everyone Wrong
When Rachel Woodhouse (@gingervetjourney) stepped into her first day of vet school at University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN) at 27, she wasn’t your average first-year. With a toddler on her hip and years of life experience behind her, she carried something even more powerful than straight A’s. This is a story of resilience, determination, and purpose.
Aaryn DuBose isn't waiting for doors to open. He's already inside and holding the door for everyone behind him.
A fourth-year student at Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine, Aaryn carries a leadership load that would humble most. He manages the core lab in the biomedical research department, serves as Class of 2027 president, VP-elect of SAVMA, vice president of the Veterinary Surgery Club, and student representative for Nestlé Purina. All at once. All with intention.
From Broadway Dreams to Veterinary Medicine: The Journey of Gabrielle Acquaviva
Gabrielle Acquaviva is well on her way to becoming a veterinary dermatologist at LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, but her story is one of passion, persistence, and taking the risks that most people shy away from. Born and raised in New Jersey, Gabrielle’s journey to veterinary school has been anything but conventional. From the stage to the clinic, her path has been shaped by both a love for the arts and a fierce desire to help animals, proving that dreams can take many shapes along the way.
Alexis Hudson: From Accounting to Veterinary Medicine—A Journey of Determination, Resilience, and New Beginnings
At 32, Alexis Hudson is already a rising star at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine—but her path to veterinary school was anything but traditional. With a background in accounting and consulting, Alexis made a bold career change that led her to her true passion: caring for animals. Her story is one of resilience, self-reflection, and embracing new opportunities.
FAQ About Vet Candy Rising Stars
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Vet Candy Rising Stars is an annual program that identifies and celebrates veterinary students and early-career DVMs who are already making an impact in the profession. Each year, Vet Candy profiles a select group of next-generation veterinary professionals — highlighting their stories, their clinical interests, and the work they are doing to move vet med forward.
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Rising Stars features veterinary students, recent graduates, and early-career DVMs who demonstrate exceptional promise, leadership, or innovation in the field. Nominees can be in any specialty or practice area — what matters is the impact they are making and the trajectory they are on.
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Honorees are selected by the Vet Candy editorial team based on nominations from the community, academic institutions, and professional networks.
We look for candidates who exemplify what the next generation of veterinary medicine looks like — curious, driven, community-minded, and unafraid to do things differently.
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Nominations for Rising Stars are accepted through our online form at myvetcandy.com/nominate
You can nominate a classmate, colleague, student, or yourself. We want to hear about the veterinary professionals in your world who deserve a spotlight and tell us who they are and why they belong on this list.
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Vet Candy Rising Stars is published annually every May. The 2026 class is featured now at myvetcandy.com/rising-stars.
Nominations for the next class open later this year, follow Vet Candy on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to know.
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Vet Candy is the leading media and education platform for the next generation of veterinary professionals, founded by Dr. Jill López, DVM, MBA.
With over 50,000 members, the number one veterinary podcast on Apple, and programs like NAVLE Warriors, Career Match for Dream Jobs, and Scrub Squad for first year vet students, Vet Candy is where the profession's future is already showing up.