Alysa Farrell is a junior Animal Sciences major on a Pre-Vet track from Fairfield, OH
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Have you completed an internship, job, or been involved with a club that has been especially meaningful to you?
I have worked at the University of Kentucky Beef Unit as an undergraduate research assistant since May 2024. I have worked on many research studies focused on nutrition in beef cattle and sheep. I've learned so much about ruminant physiology, microbiology, and nutrition, as well as gained hands-on experience. I’ve been able to work with some amazing people, including UK graduate students and the USDA. Through this job, I will be presenting an abstract at the American Society of Animal Science Southern Section Meeting in Texas later this semester!
What advice would you offer an incoming freshman in the UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment?
As someone who came to UK without knowing a single person, it is so important to put yourself out there and try new things. There are an endless amount of opportunities and people to meet here. Please be open to these new experiences and get out of your comfort zone! It may be scary at first, but the more you do it, the easier it becomes. I wouldn’t have gotten to where I am today without going to events and club meetings by myself, or volunteering/applying for anything that sounded interesting. You will learn something from every new experience and before you know it you will have changed into a confident and mature individual who can tackle anything that comes your way.
What's been your favorite course and why?
My favorite course has been ASC 325: Animal Physiology. In this class we learned about the physiology of major systems in the body. Each week we had to apply our knowledge from the lectures to answer real-world type problems. This was a fun challenge and made me feel more prepared for my future career as a veterinarian. Also, I really liked how Dr. Urschel explained the content using lots of pictures and diagrams. This made it easier for me to understand the material and stayed engaged.
Tell us about your favorite professor, advisor, or other member of the UK family that has been especially impactful during your college career.
Dr. Ely was my professor for ASC 102: Introduction to Livestock and Poultry Production. He is a tough but fair professor who is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about the subject. He saw potential in me and made an effort to get to know me. He helped me become a student ambassador and got me into research. He is such an inspiration to me, and I am beyond grateful for his leadership and guidance.