Hometown: Eatonville, Washington
Undergraduate Degree: Microbiology, minor in business administration
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2027
Madison Ramsey, a microbiology major minoring in business administration, is preparing for a career in veterinary medicine with plans to specialize in horses after earning her DVM.
A member of the Honors College, she expects to graduate in spring 2027 and has taken full advantage of the opportunities WSU provides for aspiring veterinarians. Madison is both a Regents Scholar and an active member of the Pre-Vet Club, where she has found a supportive community of peers who share her drive to work with animals. Her ultimate goal is to attend veterinary school at WSU, where she hopes to build on the strong foundation she is developing as an undergraduate.
What initially drew you to your major?
I started off with a biochemistry major because I love chemistry. After talking with my advisors, I realized a microbiology major would be a better option because of my plans. I’m very happy I switched because the courses I have taken allow me to see how a whole organism functions inside and outside, and I’m fascinated by it.
Who has been the most influential mentor or professor during your time at WSU?
Dr. Skinner has been a huge mentor to me here at WSU. He has guided me and helped me to navigate my way through my undergraduate path and helped find the best ways to achieve my academic goals. Being in his lab has opened my eyes to a whole new career field that I have never thought about until now, and I want to incorporate it into my future career.
Have you had any opportunities to work in a lab or conduct research while at WSU?
I started working in Dr. Skinner’s lab October of 2024, and he recently put me on one of his projects where I learned valuable lab skills and the overall process of conducting research. I will be using the project to complete my honors thesis, which I’m looking forward to. Since his lab focuses on epigenetics so I can apply what I learn in class in a real-world setting, which is really amazing to me.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about majoring in a field within the College of Veterinary Medicine?
Take every opportunity that is granted to you. You never know where it might lead. Go to the research fairs, go to the events, and talk to the people there. A simple conversation could take you down some really cool paths.
What’s your favorite thing about WSU?
The community and the pride are my most favorite. I can be in another state wearing WSU and a stranger will say “go Cougs.” It’s one really big family that supports each other.
What are your post-graduation plans?
After graduation I plan to go to vet school and get my DVM and focus primarily on horses. Being in the honors college provides me with some amazing opportunities, especially the pre-admit honors vet school program, which I have applied to and will hear back with in the coming months. But, overall, I would love to go to vet school here at WSU because of the amazing program that is very hands on.
What hobbies or extracurricular activities have you enjoyed at WSU?
Walking around on campus. I did not appreciate the hills at first, but now being here I can appreciate them and beautiful scenery everywhere. I don’t think that there is any other place that can compare to Pullman.
What’s a fun or surprising fact about you that most people wouldn’t guess?
I love to do mechanical stuff on anything. Whether it’s putting brakes on trucks, fixing engines on machines, or wiring something in the house. If I’m not at school, I’m in the shop with my dad.