Executive Board Members 2026

Sofia is a junior double majoring in Biology and Latin! At home in the Bay Area, California, she has a husky mix named Juno and a barn cat named Burger King. She is primarily interested in equine sports medicine, but is also curious about aquatic/aquarium medicine after interning at the New England Aquarium over the summer. Throughout high school, she worked as a vet assistant/ranch hand/riding lesson instructor and is looking forward to gaining more experience this year. Sofia is studied abroad in Dublin last fall and took lots of interesting animal science classes. When she’s not studying, you can find her skiing, doing the NYT crossword, knitting while watching TV, or being generally outside! Her favorite animal is currently the Giant Pacific Octopus.

Ethan is a junior from Philadelphia, who is likely majoring in Biology. He has a Shih-Tzu named Cookie. He is mostly interested in small animal medicine. He has shadowed at his local animal clinic back in Philadelphia and has also interned at a local animal sanctuary for abandoned exotic pets. He currently works as a vet assistant at a local clinic and is involved with an internship at the Philadelphia Zoo. His favorite animal is the anteater.

Della, one of our vice presidents, is a junior from Scranton, PA majoring in Biology and minoring in Chemistry. Her interests lie mainly in small animal general practice. She has gained experience in the veterinary field through many hours of shadowing and through her current position as a veterinary technician at a clinic in Medford. She hopes to get more experience with shelter medicine and animal research in the future. Her favorite animals are owls and opossums!

Fiona is a sophomore from Mattapoisett, MA majoring in Biology. She has a free-roaming rabbit named Gypsy, a cat named Whispurr, and a horse named LJ. She is primarily interested in companion animal and exotics, but is hoping to gain more exposure to equine medicine this upcoming summer. She currently works as a veterinary assistant at a clinic in Providence and has previously shadowed at an emergency and specialty clinic and volunteered at a cat shelter in Boston. At Tufts, she works as an undergraduate research assistant in the PAW Lab through the Center for Animals and Public Policy at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.

Layla is a sophomore majoring in biology and minoring in biological anthropology. She grew up in northern Minnesota where she has two dogs: Gus & Coriolanus, two cats: Hemingway and Auriga, and three fish: Ishmael, Medici, and Dracula. Layla is primarily interested in equine veterinary medicine, particularly in the sports industry, and has worked with show horses for most of her life. She also has an interest in shelter medicine, and has spent the past few years working as an animal care technician at her local animal shelter. Her favorite animal is the northwestern grey wolf!

Chris is a Sophomore from Irvine, California passionate about small animal veterinary medicine. He has gained hands-on experience working at the Aquarium of the Pacific, a local animal hospital in his hometown, and he is currently volunteering at an animal hospital in Boston. His journey has allowed him to explore various aspects of animal care, from marine life to companion animals, strengthening his commitment to becoming a small animal veterinarian. Chris’ favorite animal is a Peregrine Falcon.

Julia is a freshman who came from Panama and is planning to major in Biopsychology. She has a black cat called Kong and a calico called Namul back at home. She is interested in small animal medicine but is also open to exploring exotics and wildlife. She has past shadowing and internship experience at a vet clinic in Panama, where she has gained experience being a veterinary assistant. Currently, she volunteers at a local cat shelter and is a medication administrator at the MSPCA. Her hobbies include gaming, reading, and drawing. Her favorite animals are Red Foxes and crows!

Isabella Martas-Mayr is a first year from Glastonbury, Connecticut. At home, she has a 4-year-old black english labrador named Coleson. Isabella is interested in mixed animal medicine and animal-assisted therapy and education. She has experience working at a small animal hospital, externing at large animal ambulatory practices, and caring for exotic animals as an animal care intern. Isabella’s favorite animals are marine mammals, specifically sea lions.

Joseph is a freshman from Newton, Massachusetts, primarily interested in small animal medicine, but hopes to gain experience working with exotic species such as cheetahs and elephants. He has gained experience shadowing veterinarians in emergency and small animal practices. He has also interned at the Framingham Animal Hospital and volunteered at an animal shelter. During the summer, he will be externing at a small animal clinic, working to become a veterinary assistant. His favorite animal is a lion.

Elyssa, our event coordinator, is a junior from Boston MA majoring in biology with a minor in biological anthropology. Her veterinary interests include conservation research and small animal surgery. Elyssa is a surgical clinic assistant at the MSPCA, and she has shadowed and volunteered at a variety of local shelters and vet clinics. She also works in the Romero lab studying stress physiology in wild juvenile house sparrows, and is a TA for Bio 14 lab. Her favorite animals are bees and any kind of wild cat!

Zharick, our apprentice treasurer and is planning to major in Biology with a minor in chemistry. She grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and has a cat named Peaches. She’s interested in studying exotic and wildlife veterinary medicine. She has gained experience volunteering at her local humane society since she was in middle school and working at an animal hospital as a kennel assistant over the summer. Her favorite animal is a fox!