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.
Where There Are No Vets: How Lauren Cabrera Is Changing the Future of Animal Care on Saipan
On a small Pacific island surrounded by turquoise water and lush jungle, a quiet revolution in animal care is taking place. It’s being led not by a longtime veterinarian or a major nonprofit organization, but by Lauren Cabrera, a former Miss Vermont, founder of the Saipan Humane Society, first-year veterinary student at Washington State University, and a 2026 Vet Candy Rising Star.
She Applied to Vet School From a NATO Base in Eastern Europe. That Is Exactly the Kind of Thing Hannah Porter Does.
Army soldier. Zookeeper. Military police officer. Second-year LSU vet student. Future Army captain. Hannah Porter's path to veterinary medicine did not look like anyone else's, and she is not even a little sorry about it.
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.
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 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.
Natalie Smith has always known exactly where she's headed. The world just keeps confirming she's right.
A third-year student at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Natalie came into vet school with her eyes already set on the most extraordinary corners of the animal kingdom, and that would be rhinos, pandas, tigers, orangutans. Conservation medicine isn't a career pivot for her. It's always been the plan.
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.