Jimena Ruiz is a first-generation college student from Los Angeles who is pursuing a PhD in Molecular Biosciences from WSU’s School of Molecular Biosciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine. Jimena is investigating the influences of mitochondrial stress and lipids on dietary-induced ferroptosis, which is associated with neurodegenerative diseases and cancer.
Natalie Drozdowski is a third-year veterinary student hailing from Alaska with a passion for small animal medicine.
Dr. Sarah Guess got her start at the WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital as an undergraduate student assisting in the large and small animal hospital.
Palmer was one of 65 fellows elected to the academy in 2024 by the American Society for Microbiology, the world’s preeminent infectious disease organization.
Graduate student Albina Makio is studying how the infectious herpes simplex virus invades the cells of its host. It is research that could ultimately lead to new treatments and vaccines to target the virus, which is present in nearly half of the world’s population.
Matt Rafferty has accepted a small animal rotating internship at BluePearl Pet Hospital in Kirkland, Washington, where he plans to solidify his skills in small animal medicine to prepare for a theriogenology residency.
Dr. Caio Figueiredo joined the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine in 2203 as an assistant professor in the Veterinary Clinical Sciences department and Veterinary Medicine Extension. His research interests include understanding the mechanisms of uterine disease establishment and cure in dairy cows, developing alternative therapy for the treatment of metritis, and implementing precision technology in dairy operations, among others.
Fourth-year student Emma Law will head back to her home state of Montana after graduation to work at Associated Veterinary Services, a mixed animal practice in the Great Falls area.
Graduate student Mustika Rahmawati hopes her research will one day help scientists and clinicians in the fertility field better diagnose and prevent male infertility. Mustika is pursuing a PhD in Molecular Biosciences.
Fourth-year DVM student Colter Christian plans to return to Montana after graduation and begin his career at a small animal general practice.
