Please join us in welcoming our new House Officers to the Wildlife Medical Clinic: Dr. Danielle Lang and Dr. Aubrey Engel! We are happy to have you a part of the WMC!
We reached out to Dr. Lang and Dr. Engel to learn more about them!
Interview with Dr. Danielle Lang
1. Where are you from? What vet school did you go to (and graduation year)?
- “I am originally from Indianapolis, IN. I attended vet school at The Ohio State University and graduated in 2019.”
2. Why did you decide to pursue your residency here at the WMC?
- “Illinois has one of the strongest zoo and aquatic animal residencies, and I love that this program combines experience in traditional zoos, zoo companion species, and wildlife patients.”
3. What are you most excited about working here at the WMC?
- “I am excited to collaborate with the students on cases and work as a team to provide the best care to wild species.”
4. What is your favorite wildlife animal to work with?
- “I love raptors and frogs!”
5. What are your future career aspirations?
- “I would like to become board-certified in zoo and wildlife medicine and pursue a career in a traditional zoo/aquarium, wildlife hospital, academia, or potentially the government. I am open to what that exact job will be – anywhere I can contribute to zoo and conservation medicine!”
6. Anything else you would like to share?
- “I have a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish and hope to integrate my love for the Spanish language and culture into my future career, whether through general education or global fieldwork opportunities.”
Interview with Dr. Aubrey Engel
1. Where are you from? What vet school did you go to (and graduation year)?
- “Northern Illinois (Belvidere), University of Illinois Class of 2021!”
2. Why did you decide to pursue your internship here at the WMC?
- “I absolutely loved my time as a student in the WMC! I adore the faculty and staff and I felt like this program fit my learning style and education goals perfectly, so I jumped at the opportunity to come back.
- As the Zoo Medicine Intern, I get to work with all three of the services in our Zoological Medicine Department – Zoo Med, Zoo Ambulatory, and the Wildlife Medical Clinic. Very few programs offer that variety in an internship and that’s exactly what I was looking for!”
3. What are you most excited about working here at the WMC?
- “I can’t wait to get back to teaching! One of the most valuable experiences I had as a veterinary student was being a team leader in the WMC and having the opportunity and the challenge of engaging and educating other students!I am so looking forward to that opportunity again in my role as a specialty intern.”
4. What is your favorite wildlife animal to work with?
- “Ooh this is such a tough question! I have a favorite for each of the main taxa we work with…Favorite mammal – Eastern cottontail; Favorite avian species – Barred owl; Favorite reptile species – Eastern box turtle”
5. What are your future career aspirations?
- “To help save the world! I intend to specialize and become board certified in zoological medicine with the goal of contributing to species conservation through clinical medicine, research, and education.”
Written by Aimee-Joy Hearn, class of 2025
