A vital part of our outreach and recruitment programs
LSU Vet Med Ambassadors
LSU Vet Med Student Ambassadors are eager to share their experiences in the DVM Program. If you are an applicant who wants to learn more about the DVM student experience, you are welcomed to view the profiles below and reach out with your questions.
Class of 2027
Kiersten Boss
Born in New Iberia, LA, I received my bachelor’s degree in Biology with minors in chemistry and psychology from UL Lafayette. I also have a masters of Comparative Biomedical Sciences from UGA.
I am interested in working with a variety of animals including small, exotics, and wildlife. I also hope to help with conservation efforts worldwide and also one day open my own clinic!
I enjoy playing video games, baking, and watching movies (especially horror). I also enjoy hanging out with my friends and my dog Zeppelin!
Alexis Nguyen
I’m from Baton Rouge, LA and earned my Bachelors in Animal Sciences with a minor in Biological Sciences from LSU.
The majority of my background is in molecular biology research where I worked on the creation of various nucleic acid vaccines for clinical veterinary application. While I fell in love with and began in research, I have loved gaining clinical experience and hope to work in clinical medicine after vet school.
In my free time, I like to spend time outside or with friends and family, read, and garden
Annmarie Raque
I grew up in New Orleans, LA and graduated from Mississippi State University with my bachelors degree in Animal & Dairy Sciences.
I have a special interest in large and food animal medicine, specifically dairy medicine, and love all things cows! I also have a love for exotic animals and even have my own bearded dragon, Taquito, who is my best study buddy!
I enjoy running, biking, reading fiction, going to Trader Joes, and watering my succulents!
Logan Roddy
I was born and raised in New Orleans, LA and I obtained my bachelor's in animal science from LSU.
I worked as a veterinary assistant at a small animal general practice and as a registered veterinary technician in dermatology, ICU, and surgery at at a small animal specialty hospital. From this I discovered an interest in specializing in veterinary medicine. My main interests are dermatology, cardiology, and oncology but am still exploring options!
I have a pit-bull named Sansa and a cat named Whisk who I love very much. I love taking my dog for a walk as a great de-stressor, and also love to bake, spend time with my family/friends, and tailgate for LSU football games.
Spencer Stelly
I was born and raised in Alexandria, LA and earned my B.S. in Chemistry with minors in Spanish and Biology from Louisiana Tech University.
I have worked in emergency and critical care, companion animal medicine, and laboratory research. While I still love these, I plan on doing policy and advocacy work for the government to give our furry friends the voice they deserve!
When I have free time, I like going on road trips, watching musical theatre, and spending time with my friends watching horror movies, listening to music, or trying new foods.
Savannah Watermeier
I am from New Orleans and graduated with a B.S. in Animal Science and a minor in Sociology
from LSU. I then did online school through University of Alaska Fairbanks and earned
my Masters in One Health while also working as a full-time vet tech.
I am currently interested in One Health, public health, and emergency medicine. My
eventual goal is to become the Public Health Veterinarian of Louisiana!
I have a dog named Hunter who is missing half his lower jaw so his tongue hangs out all the time!
Class of 2026
Vanessa Barrios
2024 Ambassador Chair
I was born in New Orleans. I attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and received my Bachelor’s degree in Biology. After that, I received my Master’s degree in CBS at the University of Georgia.
I am interested in working for the government as an advocate for our profession. I am passionate about community service, so I would love to spend my time helping in animal shelters.
I enjoy skateboarding, playing video games, and watching movies. I recently became a cat mom, so I am usually chilling with my cat or chasing her around my apartment.
Alysia Cannon
I hail from Shreveport, Louisiana. My educational background includes a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Biological Sciences from LSUS. Previous work experience includes: veterinary receptionist, veterinary assistant, and biological sciences college instructor.
My veterinary interests include emergency and critical care. Emergency and Critical Care is a very fast paced field, and I enjoy bringing comfort to families and pets in times of need. I am also working to gain the proper certifications to be a part of veterinary natural disaster rescue efforts.
Every vet student needs a de-stressor and in my free time you can find me oil painting pet portraits with my study buddy/rescue cat, Stormie.
Jaylon Carothers
I am originally from the small town of Lake Village, Arkansas. I attended the University of Arkansas and earned a bachelor's degree in animal science in 2022! (Woo pig!)
I am currently interested in mixed animal medicine and hope to become a board-certified cardiologist in the future!
In my free time, I enjoy traveling, hanging out with friends, and going to sporting events. I also have a Labrador retriever named Zeke who I love to spend time with!
Courtney Ford-Franklin
Born and raised in Alexandria, Louisiana, I attended LSU for undergraduate and earned my B.S in animal science in 2019. I then attended LSU again to pursue my masters in public health.
I am interested in small animals and exotics. Research is something I also really enjoy and have a lot of background in, so I assist on research projects with a lot of the veterinarians at LSU.
In my free time I LOVE to watch horror movies, read thriller books, or workout!
Marianna Gallaspy
I am from the small town of Bogalusa, Louisiana and attended an all-girls high school in Covington, LA. I completed my Bachelor's in Animal Science, Pre-Vet at Louisiana Tech University (Go Dawgs!!).
Currently, I am interested in mixed animal medicine, with special passions for integrative medicine and theriogenology. I would love to take part in part-time veterinary mission work as well. I am trying to keep an open mind to other opportunities, because the veterinary field has so much to offer!
Peyton Hall
Originally from Shreveport, LA, I recently moved to Arnaudville, LA and am loving
getting to explore a new area! I received my bachelor's degree in animal sciences
and minor in business from Auburn University where I was also a student-athlete.
My main interests are companion animal and equine practice, equine sports medicine,
and theriogenology. My true passion is equine sports medicine!
In my free time I love to curl up with a good book, walk my dog, or ride my horses.
Blaire Holliday
I was born in St. Petersburg, FL and raised in south suburbs of Chicago. I received my bachelor’s degree in animal science from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
I worked as an animal care technician at the University of Chicago, where I developed an interest in Laboratory Animal Medicine, and later worked as a Research Associate at LSU Vet Med. Laboratory animal medicine is my top interest, but I am open to exotics and mixed animal as well.
When I am free, I love to get my hands dirty in the kitchen, listen to podcasts, and play hide-and-seek with my dog.
Raven Kelley
I am from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I received my Bachelor’s of Science in Animal Science from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University located in Greensboro, North Carolina.
I see myself going into small animal medicine, but I do plan to specialize. My interests include emergency and critical care, cardiology, and internal medicine. Because veterinary medicine has so much to offer, I am also keeping an open mind about the different paths I can take!
In my free time, I enjoy watching TV, working out, catching up on sleep, and coloring!
Mary Robin Miller
I am originally from Flowood, Mississippi. I received my bachelor’s degree in pre-veterinary biochemistry from Mississippi State University.
I have always seen myself going into mixed animal general practice after veterinary school; however, I am keeping an open mind to all the different paths that can be taken in veterinary medicine. I am excited to see what my future holds!
In my free time, I love photography, color guard, watching TV, going to the beach, and hanging out with my dog, Ace!
Mya Orantes
I was born in Metairie, LA, but grew up in Lafayette, LA, a small city outside of Baton Rouge. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Animal Sciences with a minor in Physical Theatre at LSU.
I am interested by so many fields in veterinary medicine that I hope to work in a mixed practice facility in the future. Specific interests include equine medicine, integrative medicine, dermatology, surgery, and dentistry. I also dream to work with primates one day.
I’m always looking for new skills to learn or try! I currently love aerial silks, gardening, baking, knitting, playing piano, and playing beach volleyball.
Emily Smith
I was born and raised in the small town of Cabot, Arkansas. I attended Southern Arkansas University where I earned my bachelor's degree in Agriculture: Pre-Veterinary Science.
I am currently most interested in a career in small animal surgery, but there are many different specialties that I could see myself pursuing. Some of these fields include integrative medicine, animal behavior, and emergency medicine!
In my free time, I love to hang out with my friends, travel, try new recipes, shop, and spend time with my dog, Punkin!
Alexandria Taylor
I was born and raised in Dallas, Texas and have a Bachelors in Biology. I’ve worked as a vet tech, veterinary receptionist, and a surgery tech.
My veterinary interests include dermatology and internal medicine. I also have an interest in mixed animal practice.
My hobbies include working out, binge watching movies and TV shows, playing video games, and having game nights with friends and my cat SJ (Spicy Jalapeño).
Carmelle Walker
I grew up in Shreveport, LA where I spent the majority of my time drawing, swimming, or riding my gray thoroughbred, Vail.
At LSU SVM, I seem to find new passions every week, but my main interests include
integrative medicine and veterinary dentistry.
Outside of school, my favorite hobbies include riding, gardening, cooking, and spoiling
my German Shepherd mix named Fletcher.
Catherine Wertz
I was born and raised in New Orleans and attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in biology with minors in business and chemistry.
I’m interested in pursuing mixed animal medicine and have a particular interest in integrative medicine, though I’m keeping an open mind towards other possibilities, as there are many aspects of veterinary medicine that interest me.
Outside of school, I enjoy painting, reading, being outdoors, and spending time with friends, family, and my rescue dog, Missy.
Class of 2025
Peyton Bramlett
I am from right on the border of North and South Carolina, where I spent most of my life living in Fort Mill, South Carolina, and received my Bachelor’s degree in Animal and Veterinary Sciences from Clemson University (Go Tigers! 😉).
Since high school I have been interested in zoo medicine and still am. However, I have a 3-year-old dog with lots of dermatology issues, who has really piqued my interest in small animal dermatology. For now, I am still very interested in both and not sure what the future holds!
Outside of school and studying, I enjoy sleeping, reading, spending time with friends, playing sports with classmates, and spending time with my dog, Disney.
Hannah Hayden
I was born and raised in New Orleans, one of the most interesting and culturally diverse places in the United States! I went to LSU for undergrad and received my Bachelor’s degree in animal science with a minor in history.
I see myself continuing as a small animal practitioner, but I am also open to specializing. My interests are small animal orthopedics, epidemiology, and emergency medicine!
My favorite hobbies include working out, traveling, photography, and spending time with my family and friends. I am always seeking adventure, and I love exploring my surroundings!
Madison Hopper
I was born and raised right outside of San Francisco, California (Belmont to be exact) before moving to the small town of DeRidder, Louisiana, when I was 12. I went to LSU for undergrad and have a B.S. in Kinesiology and a B.S. in Biological Sciences.
I am currently interested in companion animal medicine, emergency medicine, and the pet food industry (maybe specializing in nutrition but who knows just yet!).
In my free time, I enjoy reading or catching up on sleep!
Madison Konur
I was born and raised in Thibodaux, Louisiana, a city south of Baton Rouge. I attended LSU for my Bachelor’s degree and soaked up all the exciting animal experiences that the program had to offer.
Growing up, I was interested in exotic medicine or something different than small and large animal medicine. I am very much open to anything in the veterinary field and am excited to see where my path will lead me.
In my free time, I love spending time with my family and friends, traveling, making projects with my cricut, napping, and cuddling with my doggies, Sitka, Fifa, and Sampson.
Blake Nunez
I am from Prairieville, Louisiana, and received my Bachelor’s degree in agricultural science from McNeese State University.
I grew up showing swine in the Louisiana 4-H livestock program, so I have a special interest in swine medicine. However, I am also interested in mixed animal practice, emergency critical care, and anesthesia.
When I am not studying, I enjoy hanging out with my dog, cat, or 10 laying hens! Cooking and gardening are also passions of mine.
Trace Presley
I’m originally from Franklin, Louisiana, where I grew up showing livestock, particularly swine, cattle, and poultry. I mustered up the courage to leave my small town and attend LSU for my undergraduate career and received my Bachelor’s in Animal Science.
Food animal medicine will always have my heart because of my upbringing, but I plan to specialize in the complete opposite. After graduation, I will (hopefully) complete a surgical internship and residency and become a board small animal surgeon.
Outside of school, I enjoy fitness, playing sports with my classmates, and spending time with my three animals: my two dogs, Murphy and Waco, and my cat, Barnaby.
Reilly Scheppers
I was born and raised in Longmont, Colorado, and completed my Bachelor’s degree at the University of Arizona in Tucson (bear down, go cats!)
My background is in small animal medicine and applied animal behavior, but I am interested in pursuing a career in either emergency, food animal, clinical pathology, or lab animal medicine.
In the free time I have, I love working on my many unfinished sewing projects, paddle boarding, and swimming.
Annabelle Sellers
I grew up in the very small “village” of Anacoco, Louisiana, on a small cattle farm run by my dad and grandpa. I completed the “3+1” program through McNeese State University and received my Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences.
The more areas of veterinary medicine I explore, the more I have no clue what I want to do because I truly have enjoyed everything. I currently work in the large animal hospital at LSU (I can’t believe it, but equine medicine is also really growing on me)!
Some of my favorite hobbies are fishing, running, playing basketball, and going tubing on Toledo Bend in the summer!
Christina Ulsh
I studied journalism and was the former editor of a local newspaper in Texas before pursuing the veterinary field. Eventually I was drawn to helping families keep their companion animals alive and thriving through medicine.
My veterinary profession started in the small animal emergency and critical care realm. While I love the pace of an ER, I continue to discover new passions in different areas of medicine. Feline medicine, surgery, ophthalmology and clinical pathology are all specialties that pique my interest.
You just might find me trying to convince a group of people to play board games on the weekends. My home is filled with plants that I turn to tending when I need to unwind. One of my favorite parts about living in Louisiana is the cuisine. Food and its preparation bring me pure joy.