Pursuing a passion: The journey to veterinary oncology

Mary Nowak’s journey towards becoming a veterinarian began on her grandparents’ farm in New Jersey, where at the age of nine, she shadowed the kennel’s full-time veterinarian. This early fascination with veterinary medicine grew over the years, as she continued to shadow veterinarians at an equine ambulatory clinic, several small animal practices, and a small animal referral center during her high school and college years.

Throughout high school and college, these experiences in various veterinary disciplines, from equine ambulatory practice to small animal specialty care, cultivated her passion for small animal medicine. She participated in Penn Vet’s Veterinary Exploration Through Science (VETS) program, which opened her eyes to the diverse career avenues within veterinary medicine and prompted her to seek research opportunities in small animal medicine.

In her undergraduate education, Mary engaged in several research projects, including ELISA assays (a commonly used lab test to detect antibodies) on salivary biomarkers of the human stress response. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a remote externship, where she conducted a literature review on circulating tumor DNA and microRNA biomarkers in human non-small cell lung cancer. This deepened her fascination with cancer biology and its veterinary applications.

During this time, Mary also tutored high school and college students, developing a passion for teaching and conveying scientific information to individuals from diverse backgrounds. It was through these tutoring experiences that she discovered her specific interest in cancer biology.

In veterinary school, networking with professors at Purdue University led her to engage in cancer-focused research, particularly in hemangiosarcoma. An oncology externship at Garden State Veterinary Specialists provided hands-on learning about various cancer treatments for dogs and cats. The professionalism and empathy demonstrated by the oncologists, along with their effective communication with distressed clients, were particularly inspiring.

Her research, tutoring, and externship experiences solidified her desire to pursue a career in academia, synthesizing clinics, research, and teaching. During her clinical year, she aims to broaden her network with clinicians from various institutions in preparation for internships and residencies. She plans to participate in an externship at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center in New York City and is considering other locations, such as Colorado State’s Oncology Department, while remaining mindful of costs by exploring options closer to New Jersey.

Support through the Harold Wetterberg Foundation Scholarship will ease the financial burdens of specialty externships, enabling her to engage in robust oncology opportunities and better equip her to pursue an oncology residency. It will allow her to refine her skills and expand her academic network. Ultimately, she aims to become a board-certified veterinary medical oncologist, advocating for veterinary cancer patients and providing academic mentorship to future veterinary students.

“This award is a testament to the Harold Wetterberg Foundation and AVMF’s commitment to advancing the next generation of veterinary professionals. As an aspiring medical oncologist interested in academia, this scholarship will allow me to diversify my externship experiences and enhance my skills as I pursue advanced training that will better equip me to serve my future patients and my community. Thank you to all who made this scholarship possible; I am truly grateful for your support!”—Mary Nowak, DVM Candidate at Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine


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