MS in Conservation Medicine (MCM)
Nazeeya Chowdhury
Virginia | Animal and Poultry Science, minor Public Health | Virginia Polytech Institute and State University 2024
From a young age, I’ve been passionate about animals and their role in maintaining ecological balance. Pursuing a Master of Conservation Medicine (MCM) at Tufts has been the perfect blend of my background in Animal and Poultry Sciences and Public Health, allowing me to explore ways to make a tangible difference for animals—whether in a veterinary clinic or in the wild.
Through the MCM program, I’ve had the privilege of meeting incredible professionals and professors from diverse backgrounds who have found unique ways to work with wildlife. Their journeys have broadened my career outlook, inspiring me to explore beyond traditional veterinary medicine. Throughout my time here I've developed a strong interest in human-animal conflicts, particularly in human-elephant conflict mitigation, which I am currently researching in Bangladesh for my case study. Outside of my academic pursuits, I’m a dedicated movie lover—especially when it comes to animated films—and I enjoy dancing as a creative outlet.
Diana Mincolla
New Jersey | Environmental Studies | University of Vermont 2023
Program Interest and Experience: For as long as I can remember protecting wildlife has been a priority of mine. This past summer that priority became my reality working as a lemur trainer at Tanganyika Wildlife Park. During the summer, I came across the MCM program and knew I wanted to be a part of it. I knew I would learn how to actively work towards protecting wildlife in their natural habitat which is what I plan to focus on for my future career.
Career Goals: After graduation, I will be traveling to Indonesia assisting a PhD student in her research on Pygmy Tarsiers. After I return, I plan to move to Alaska in the next coming years and pursue my own PhD focused on how anthropogenic effects and climate change influence wildlife populations.
Hobbies: I enjoy spending my free time in nature by hiking and taking photos. I also enjoy making art, knitting, writing, and dancing.
Mackenna Belton
Massachusetts | Biology, minor Environmental Studies - Suffolk University
Career goals: I am currently applying for PhD positions in Human Dimensions of Conservation Medicine and hope to further the field by connecting with the people who are directly affected by conservation issues. I am passionate about bringing the public into science, so it can be understood and trusted, especially during this turbulent time.
Hobbies: Outside of work/school you will find me in my garden, crocheting, reading or napping with my kitties. Speaking of, I have two cats at home, Sprout and Lt. Dan. They are my entire life.
Evan Riney (He/him)
North Carolina | BS Biology - University of South Carolina 2016
My name is Evan Riney and am currently pursuing my Masters of Conservation Medicine here at the Cummings School. I graduated from University of South Carolina with a B.S. in Biology in 2016. After graduation I spent time volunteering with wildlife rehabilitation groups and working as a veterinary assistant in my home state of North Carolina. These opportunities helped me to realize my interests in wildlife rehabilitation, conservation, and the social interactions and the learning behaviors of orangutans. I have had the chance to explore this through various projects in the MCM program. After graduating, I plan to apply to veterinary school and specialize in wildlife medicine. In my free time I enjoy watching movies, spending time with my cat Teagan, and exploring the state parks of New England.
MS in Animals and Public Policy (MAPP)
Ruby McCullers (Any pronouns)
Los Angeles, CA | B.F.A., Illustration, Rhode Island School of Design, 2022
My name is Ruby McCullers, and I am a graduate student in the MAPP program. I began volunteering at shelters as a sophomore in college, and discovered I had a passion for the work. Despite having majored in visual arts, by the time I graduated, I knew I wanted to build a career working with and advocating for animals. For the past five years I have worked primarily with shelter dogs, most recently as a member of the behavior team at a relatively high intake shelter. Working there, I became frustrated that while I was helping the dogs in our shelter, I wasn’t doing anything to prevent them from ending up there in the first place. I noticed a lot of flaws in the system that I felt unable to fix. My desire to address the problems facing animals from a more systematic prospective is what lead me to the MAPP program.
Isabel Farkouh (She/her)
Canada | BSCH, Environmental Science, Queen’s University, Kingston ON, 2024
Originally from Toronto, I joined the MAPP program with a B.Sc.H. in Environmental Science from Queen’s University. I was drawn to MAPP’s interdisciplinary focus on the human-animal relationship through science, policy, and advocacy.
Before joining MAPP, my hands-on work in veterinary clinics, shelters, and on farms, combined with my academic background, sparked my interest in how human actions impact animal well-being and how policy can be a tool for meaningful change.
Since joining MAPP, my interests have expanded to include animal behavior and human-animal interventions. I’ve had the opportunity to continue building clinical skills through Tufts at Tech and helping treat chickens with lead poisoning.
This summer, I plan to do my externship at a nonprofit that trains shelter dogs to serve as service animals for veterans.
Outside of class, I enjoy traveling and spending time with family, friends, my dogs, and my bunny."
Ashley Krawshuk (She/her)
Massachusetts | B.A., Psychology, Hamilton College, 2024
I chose to pursue the MAPP program to deepen my understanding of animal welfare issues. Despite growing up with at least four pets in my household at any given time, I had received little education relating to animals prior to the program. MAPP has not only significantly broadened my interests regarding animal welfare, but the program has also shaped my approach to solving these animal-related issues. As someone who did not have prior experience in public policy, my courses in MAPP have provided me with the knowledge and communicative skills to effectively advocate for animals, both individual and community-based. After completing the program, I hope to apply these advocacy tools through working for an animal-related non-profit. Outside of MAPP, I enjoy reading, skiing, watching cooking shows, and discovering new coffee shops. I currently own a sassy torbie cat named Hazel as well as two dogs and three cats in my family’s home.