The Department at any one time has 15 - 25 students working in various laboratories or units in West Laramie and on campus. We encourage students to concentrate on their studies during their Freshman year, so they can make a smooth transition from high school to university. During that time, if you think you can work in one of the laboratories without harm to your studies, please contact Dr. Todd Cornish with your resume and information about your interests. Dr. Cornish maintains a list of interested students. He will try to match interests and capabilities with a specific laboratory. Our preference is to hire Medical Microbioloy and Pre-Vet option students.
The main advantage for Medical Microbiology and Pre-Veterinary students is that you get hands on experience working veterinary laboratory using classical and molecular diagnostic tools. Skills learnt can go on your resume. It strengthens your ability to get a job on graduation since you have marketable skills.
For those of you shooting for veterinary school, it allows us get to know you and your work habits, and greatly adds to the ability of your advisor or mentor to write a solid letter of recommendation based on feedback from your supervisor when you apply.
 | Gina Diller, a Colorado resident, is currently working on a B.A. degree in Business. We don’t usually employ students outside the medical disciplines. But Gina worked as a custodian in the laboratory part time and we noticed she paid a lot of attention to detail and was interested in what we do. Gina has been now worked in the Virology Unit at the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory for 8 months. Skills she has acquired are preparations of blood and tissue samples for virus/Chlamydophilia isolation attempts, and fluorescent antibody stained slides. In addition she gained experience in running ELISAs and PCR tests and in maintaining cell cultures. Her hobbies are fishing and art. |
 | Katy Fambrough is a sophomore from Knoxville, TN studying Animal and Veterinary Sciences with a Pre-Vet option. She began working at the lab in 2005 in Central Services and Electron Microscopy. She is currently working in the Parastilogy/Clinical Pathology lab and the Livestock/Animal labs. She has become quiet proficient in diagnostic parasitology and shows great enthusiasm and interest in all that she does. Katy will be doing a month-long internship at Westgate Pet and Bird Hospital in Austin, TX this May. When she isn’t hard at work at the lab she enjoys being outdoors, painting, drawing and reading. |
 | Caitlin Gade is a senior microbiology major from Sundance, WY. She is a member of Alpha Epsilon Delta (pre-professional honorary) and Mortar Board. Caitlin also belongs to the UW Equestrian team and UW Dance Department. After graduating in May, she will be attending the University of Washington School of Medicine (WWAMI Program) in the Fall. Caitlin has been in Dr. Andrews' lab for the past year studying selected virulence factors of Brucella ovis. During her off-time, she enjoys riding, white water rafting, skiing, and running. |
 | Brianne Goodrich is from Douglas, Wyoming. She is a sophomore, although a junior credit-wise, at the University of Wyoming. She is majoring in Animal Science, with the option of Pre-veterinary medicine. She used to work with the livestock manager taking care of research animals but recently moved to the diagnostic serology Laboratory. She has learned various laboratory techniques, including performing and reading serum neutralizations tests. Brianne is interested in the outdoors, wildlife, all animals, playing tennis and basketball, and of course, school. She is planning to go to Ocala, Florida this summer to work at a very predominant race horse veterinary clinic. |
 | Brielyn Jensen is from Rawlins, WY and works in the Bacteriology section of the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory. Brielyn is a Junior majoring in Microbiology. She is in the process of completing a special problems project investigating antibiotic resistance in E. coli isolates under Dr. Mills supervision. She wants to go on for Medical Technology training once she is finished at UW. |
 | Rachelle Jensen is a pre-veterinary student freshman from Absarokee in Montana. She works in the electron microscopy and central services laboratories, and describes her interests as fishing and hunting – ‘anything outdoors'. |
 | Kari Kontour, Casper, WY, came to UW as a pre-Veterinary major in 2003. She has been working for Dr. Belden in the Vet Science's Immunology Lab since 2004. She has become proficient in ELISA tests, multiple antibody/antigen tests, creation of monoclonal antibodies, and caring for and using laboratory animals. She has also served as a mentor for high school students working in the laboratory. She is currently an English and Theatre major (through no fault of the department, she would like to add) and will graduate in 2007. |
 | Jessie Spellman, a sophomore from Cheyenne WY, is a Medical Microbiology major. She has worked in the histology unit for almost a year. She was trained by Paula Jaeger, our head histotechnologist, to section and stain tissues for examination by the veterinary pathologists – and she is very good at it! She also has learned how to do immunohistochemistry preparations. Her goal on graduation is to work as a medical microbiologist. Her hobbies are rock climbing, including at beautiful Vedauwoo outside of Laramie, and reading (everything!). |
 | Becky Thompson is a pre-med senior from Wheatland, WY. A Mortar Board honors student, Becky is majoring in medical microbiology. She has been conducting research in Dr. Andrews' lab on the characterization of a Yersinia pestis (plague) two-component secretion system and evaluation of its use as a novel vaccine delivery platform for heterologous antigens. Becky enjoys traveling, fly and deep-sea fishing. |
 | Catrina Vukelien grew up in Cody, WY and is currently getting her undergraduate degree in Medical Microbiology. After graduating, she would like to acquire additional Medical Technology training at Health One in Denver, CO. She has worked in the diagnostic serology and virology laboratories as well as the animal care unit. She has acquired skills in virus isolation preparation and serum neutralization performance. Her hobbies include fishing, horseback riding and hanging out with friends. |
