Tiffany Reed has a passion for helping animals…and humans. Currently she is president of the Student Chapter of American Veterinary Medical Association, which functions as the student government association in the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine. In this role, she has been a student liaison to many different organizations on campus and nationally. Additionally, she has helped organize an auction to raise funds to send students to the SCAVMA national symposium, and she facilitated programs to stress the importance of animal welfare in the veterinary profession. At the end of her second year in vet school, she also received a scholarship from the Georgia Veterinary Medical Association naming her as the Most Outstanding Sophomore. After graduation, she plans to become a veterinary pathologist.
Hometown:
Indianapolis, Indiana
High School:
Woodward Academy
Degree objective:
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Other degrees:
B.S.A., Biological Sciences, University of Georgia
Expected graduation:
May 2008
University highlights, achievements, awards and scholarships:
As an undergraduate at UGA, I was accepted into the Honors Program, and I was involved in CURO which allowed me to get first-hand experience doing research in biochemistry and veterinary diagnostic pathology. As a result, I traveled to Bangkok, Thailand to present at the World Congress of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association. Additionally, during the summer of 2006, I had the opportunity to work a lobbyist externship with the American Veterinary Medical Association. I made numerous visits to Capitol Hill and spoke with many Senators and their staffs regarding the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Act which would provide funding for animals in emergency situations. While I was in D.C., this bill passed in the House, and since then, it has also passed in the Senate. I truly feel honored to be such a part of an important part of legislation.
Current Employment:
I am currently employed in the College of Veterinary Medicine Department of Pathology. I work in the laboratory of Dr. Jay Mysore. I am participating in a research project, which studies the effect of Helicobacter hepaticus on goblet cells of mice using three different staining techniques. Additionally, I also work at St. James United Methodist Church in the audio visual department. I coordinate the PowerPoint presentations for each service.
I chose to attend UGA because…
…of its reputation. When I was deciding where to pursue my bachelor’s degree, I was drawn to the many opportunities and programs available to undergraduates. When I arrived, I realized that I had not even uncovered a fraction of the opportunities available to me. I decided to stay at UGA to study veterinary medicine, because of the vast opportunities available in research and the fantastic professors in the college.
My favorite things to do on campus are…
…playing pick-up soccer and Frisbee on the Myers Quad. Though I do not get to participate as often now that I am a vet student, it is still number one on my list.
When I have free time, I like…
…anything that involves the outdoors or some sort of competition. My favorite activities are lacrosse and soccer, but I also enjoy scuba diving, skiing, hiking, and kayaking.
The craziest thing I’ve done is…
There are two crazy things that top my list. In one instance, I was fighting a case of food poisoning on a 12-hour, crowded, international flight home from Thailand. It was right in the middle of a SARS outbreak, so I am quite certain my frequent trips to the bathroom had some people concerned. Additionally, it was pretty crazy once when I was scuba diving in Kauai, and a monster sea turtle started chasing me while we were about 40 feet under the water!
My favorite place to study is…
…in one of the lecture halls in the vet school. They are probably the quietest places on campus at night.
My favorite professor is…
…Dr. Paige Carmichael, who is the associate dean of academic affairs and professor of pathology in the College of Veterinary Medicine. She is so patient and understanding with every student, and she is always willing to go over and beyond the basics in the classroom. She is a great professor and a fantastic mentor.
If I could share an afternoon with anyone, I would love to share it with…
…my great-grandfather Jason Reed, my grandfather Harold Jackson, and my great- great-aunt Greta Ray, who are three pillars of my family. I would love an opportunity to tell them thank you for everything that they have done to inspire my generation and the generation before me to achieve our dreams. I never thanked them properly while they were alive.
If I knew I could not fail, I would…
…develop a fool-proof plan to protect animals and humans from zoonotic foreign animal diseases. I would also successfully win the race to become a U.S. Senator.
After graduation, I plan to…
…complete a residency in veterinary pathology. I might become a professor at a college of veterinary medicine or I might work for a government agency like the USDA or work in industry.
