Ashley Steuer, DVM
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Ashley Steuer, DVM, the Zoetis Resident in Veterinary Parasitology, grew up just south of Kalamazoo, Michigan, where her passion for large animals began. She received her Bachelor’s in Animal Science, with a minor in Spanish, from Michigan State University. Ashley graduated with the class of 2016 from The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. She spent her summers during veterinary school assisting in the Veterinary Parasitology Diagnostic Laboratory and in clinical parasitology rotations. She is currently attending The University of Kentucky in pursuit of a PhD in Veterinary Sciences and her Veterinary Parasitology Residency. Ashley will continue to pursue research, teaching, and clinical diagnostics at the University of Kentucky, The Gluck Equine Research Center, the University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, and the University of Tennessee. She enjoys spending her free with of her family, including her husband Anthony, their two dogs Maiya and Inka, their horse Jewels, and Spinach the chinchilla, and traveling
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Five Questions with Zoetis Resident Dr. Ashley Steuer
Tell us a little about your background. Where are you from, what are some of the defining experiences of your life?
I grew up in rural Mattawan, Michigan, surrounded by agriculture and wildlife. Other than loving animals, my passions for classical music, arts, languages, and cultural experiences started their roots here as well. I am very fortunate to have an adventurous family, which allowed me to travel across three continents, perpetuating these passions. During one of these travels, a Veterinary Medicine in Mexico Study Abroad program, I realized the cultural significance of veterinary medicine. This experience solidified my determination to assist humans and animals
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How did you initially become interested in veterinary medicine?
Like most veterinarians, my interest in veterinary medicine started at a young age. I wanted to help animals since they were a large part of our family. I have always been inquisitive, but I was unaware of the breadth of veterinary medicine until I was an undergraduate student in animal science. Progressing through my undergraduate program, I learned to appreciate the value of veterinary medicine in human and animal health.
How did you become interested in parasitology? When did you know it would be your field?
I didn’t realize that my interest in parasitology actually began before vet school, until I found a personal journal of experiences from the study abroad in Mexico. This was the first time that I looked into common parasitic species with awe and amazement at their complexity and impacts on animals and humans. In vet school, I realized my passion while taking the standard parasitology course. Learning the basics of their mechanisms of disease, life cycles, host interactions, and global significance had me hooked. My passion has become to learn more about parasites, to teach and raise awareness in others. As a new graduate who has been humbled by the vast world of parasitology, I am eager to learn more, teach more, and hopefully inspire others in the veterinary community and beyond.
What focus have you chosen for your residency? Where will your research efforts be targeted?
My research focus will encompass equine parasites. Using classical and molecular techniques to study their epidemiology, control measures, and mechanisms of disease, I hope to contribute to improved and novel diagnostics.
What is your plan after your residency? What would you like to accomplish over the course of your career?
Following my residency, I want to educate veterinary students, continue research, and be in a clinical diagnostic lab. I think a success for me would be inspiring others to appreciate the value of veterinary parasitology in animal and human health. I would like to apply my knowledge gained to stimulate interest in new minds, as well as have a global health impact.
I grew up in rural Mattawan, Michigan, surrounded by agriculture and wildlife. Other than loving animals, my passions for classical music, arts, languages, and cultural experiences started their roots here as well. I am very fortunate to have an adventurous family, which allowed me to travel across three continents, perpetuating these passions. During one of these travels, a Veterinary Medicine in Mexico Study Abroad program, I realized the cultural significance of veterinary medicine. This experience solidified my determination to assist humans and animals
.
How did you initially become interested in veterinary medicine?
Like most veterinarians, my interest in veterinary medicine started at a young age. I wanted to help animals since they were a large part of our family. I have always been inquisitive, but I was unaware of the breadth of veterinary medicine until I was an undergraduate student in animal science. Progressing through my undergraduate program, I learned to appreciate the value of veterinary medicine in human and animal health.
How did you become interested in parasitology? When did you know it would be your field?
I didn’t realize that my interest in parasitology actually began before vet school, until I found a personal journal of experiences from the study abroad in Mexico. This was the first time that I looked into common parasitic species with awe and amazement at their complexity and impacts on animals and humans. In vet school, I realized my passion while taking the standard parasitology course. Learning the basics of their mechanisms of disease, life cycles, host interactions, and global significance had me hooked. My passion has become to learn more about parasites, to teach and raise awareness in others. As a new graduate who has been humbled by the vast world of parasitology, I am eager to learn more, teach more, and hopefully inspire others in the veterinary community and beyond.
What focus have you chosen for your residency? Where will your research efforts be targeted?
My research focus will encompass equine parasites. Using classical and molecular techniques to study their epidemiology, control measures, and mechanisms of disease, I hope to contribute to improved and novel diagnostics.
What is your plan after your residency? What would you like to accomplish over the course of your career?
Following my residency, I want to educate veterinary students, continue research, and be in a clinical diagnostic lab. I think a success for me would be inspiring others to appreciate the value of veterinary parasitology in animal and human health. I would like to apply my knowledge gained to stimulate interest in new minds, as well as have a global health impact.