In 2020 BCVA introduced the Student Rep role at each of the vet schools. The aim is to provide a two-way channel – so that the association can understand the needs of students considering a career in farm practice, and also allow students the ability to feed into the association on the issues that matter to them.
ABERYSTWYTH: Sarina Stringer [email protected]
Hi, my name is Sarina, and I am in my first year of the veterinary degree at Aberystwyth. All things farming and animal related have always been a keen interest of mine, and veterinary has always been the dream, so I am hoping to work as a farm vet when I qualify. I am lucky enough to have spent a lot of my life on farms and worked on a large-scale dairy in Wales for three years before starting at university. I learnt a lot in my time there and developed a passion for all things cows! So, to be a part of BCVA is an honour for me.
BRISTOL: Abigail Cousens [email protected]
Hi, my name is Abigail I’m a final year student at Bristol. I’m not from a farming background but spending a lot of my pre-clinical EMS on dairy farms really fuelled my interest in cattle medicine. My main areas of clinical interest are fertility, infectious disease management and surgery. Alongside working with BCVA I am also one of the presidents of Bristol Farm Animal Veterinary Society, working to bring farm related extracurricular talks and practicals to students. I am excited to work with BCVA to promote farm animal practice to all students at Bristol.
CAMBRIDGE: Sarah Murphy [email protected]
Hi, my name is Sarah, and I am a fifth year at Cambridge. I hope to be a farm animal vet once I have graduated, even though I do not come from a farming background. My love for farm animals started during my pre-clinical EMS due to the amazing people I met, and their willingness to help teach and bring my knowledge up to scratch. I wanted to be the BCVA rep for Cambridge so I could help spread awareness of all the opportunities that the BCVA provides for veterinary students, which prepare us for the profession! I am looking forward to making connections with likeminded people, who share a love for cattle!
DUBLIN: Alisha Mackin [email protected]
Hi, my name is Alisha, and I am a third year graduate student at the University College Dublin School of Veterinary Medicine. I grew up on the South Coast of Massachusetts, and my love for large animals and livestock grew when I attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst for Pre-Veterinary Science. There, I worked closely with their flock of Dorset sheep, dairy calves, and herd of Belted Galloways. I adored working with the Belties and that is when I decided I wanted to work mainly in farm animal medicine. I would love to create a stronger connection between Irish, UK, and North American cattle veterinary students and veterinarians through the BCVA.
EDINBURGH: Kallie Bauckham [email protected]
Hi, I’m Kallie, and I am in my third year at the University of Edinburgh (the R(D)SVS). I have worked on a variety of farms where I have taken on everything from lambing and farrowing to alpaca trekking, milking and calf rearing. I’m infamously a cattle enthusiast, with a particular interest in calf health and management. I’m looking forward to working with the BCVA team and wider veterinary community this year, in addition to encouraging more students to get involved in and excited about bovine medicine
GLASGOW: Jane Oleksiw [email protected]
Hi everyone. My name is Jane Oleksiw. I am currently a 2nd year BVMS student at the University of Glasgow but am originally from Ontario, Canada! I gained an interest in cattle and bovine medicine during my dairy EMS placement in Switzerland. I was fascinated by the complexity and intricacies of the industry. Throughout my education and future career, I hope to further explore the interplay between herd health, nutrition, genetics and reproduction in the field of bovine medicine!
HARPER AND KEELE: Beth Hall [email protected]
Hi, I’m Beth and I’m in my final year at Harper and Keele. Growing up without a farming background, I developed a passion for working with cattle during dairy work experience and have since enjoyed many farming related AHEMS and CEMS placements. I have particular interests in managing and optimising herd health, particularly in calves and youngstock. As a BCVA student representative I want to share my enthusiasm with likeminded students and inspire other students to explore outside their comfort zones, as I did 5 years ago.
LIVERPOOL: Milly Comber [email protected]
Hi, I am Milly and I am currently in my 4th year at the University of Liverpool. I am not from a farming background but fell in love with farm practice when doing work experience and have not looked back since! At university, my interest in cattle medicine has only grown, with a particular interest in dairy fertility. I am looking forward to this role and sharing the BCVA with students at Liverpool.
LONDON (RVC):Morley Jones [email protected]
Hi I’m Morley a final year student at the Royal Veterinary College, London! I’m from a family Beef & Sheep farm in Mid Wales. I have a passion for Cattle Medicine with a keen interest in Genetics, Cattle Fertility & Lameness! I’m looking forward to increasing my knowledge and sharing the valuable learning resources that the BCVA offers as the RVC’s rep this year!
NOTTINGHAM: Hazel Jenkins [email protected]
Hi, I’m Hazel, a fourth-year vet at the University of Nottingham. I didn’t grow up on a farm but since my first placement back in high school, I’ve fallen in love with farm work. I spend my time outside of lectures working as a Farm Research Assistant at University as well as helping at farms at home. I am this year’s Nottingham FAVS coordinator, so I am looking forward to working closely with both BCVA and FAVS to encourage students at Nottingham to consider farm animal medicine. I have a passion for cattle and can’t wait to work with the BCVA again this year to help like-minded students get involved and learn about the benefits of being a member.
SRUC: Rhiannon Baldwin [email protected]
Hi everyone! My name is Rhiannon, and I’m a first-year student at SRUC. While I didn’t grow up on a farm, I’ve had a lifelong passion for farm animals - especially cows! I’m deeply committed to expanding my knowledge and skills, learning from experienced farmers and veterinary professionals, and becoming a well-rounded farm vet after graduation. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to represent SRUC at such a prestigious organisation, and I look forward to connecting with like-minded individuals who share my enthusiasm for the farm animal side of veterinary medicine.
SURREY: Charnia Rogers [email protected]
Hello! My name is Charnia, and I am a fourth year student at the University of Surrey. I grew up in Wiltshire surrounded by the countryside, so always knew I liked the lifestyle. I did a pre vet school placement at a large dairy farm in Salisbury after my first degree at the Royal Veterinary College, and that’s where my love for cows grew! I have now been there over 4 years and am keen to go into farm medicine, especially dairy cow health! I am excited to get stuck into my role as a BCVA student rep and hope I can share my passion for farm veterinary work with others!
UCLAN: Jessica Thompson [email protected]
I'm Jess, a second year student at UCLAN. I relocated from Suffolk to North Yorkshire over a year ago with my three children. Although I do not come from an agricultural background, I soon fell in love with the farming industry and became very passionate about the welfare of cattle after working as a relief milker. An area I'd like to develop is ethical livestock management, balancing welfare with their role as production animals whilst focusing on their sentience.
