Last year, Jenna Nist served as a student ambassador for the Master of Veterinary Science (MVS) program, where she was recognized for her curiosity, drive, and openness to new opportunities. At the time, she planned to complete the MVS, followed by a year off before applying to veterinary school, and use that time to deepen her hands-on experience. But when a conversation with Dr. Jim Lowe encouraged her to think more broadly about her future, Jenna leaned into the challenge. Rather than seeing the question of “what if vet school doesn’t work out?” as a setback, she treated it as an opportunity to explore new ways to contribute to animal health.
With Dr. Lowe’s guidance, Jenna discovered the field of Pathobiology and its wide range of career opportunities. The idea of a Ph.D. was initially daunting, so different from the path she had envisioned, but Jenna chose to push past the intimidation. “At first, the idea of a PhD was intimidating. It seemed very different from vet school,” she said. “But I applied, got in, and realized this was a great opportunity I didn’t want to pass up.”
She is now a graduate student in Dr. Rowland’s lab, studying porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome. The swine disease costs the U.S. industry an estimated $600 million annually. Her current project focuses on genetic resistance, looking at how PRRS binds to macrophages and whether changing the receptor could prevent infection.
Her previous research experience was limited. “In undergrad, I worked on a project involving mustard seeds, but my role was just counting seeds,” she explained. “Starting this program, I knew what a pipette was, but other than that, I didn’t know what to do in the lab.” Support from her peers has made the transition easier. “The PhD students in the lab are very knowledgeable and willing to teach. That has been crucial and deeply appreciated.”
The shift from the MVS program to her PhD track has highlighted the value of connections. “The coursework has some similarities, like journal clubs and open discussions, but what’s been most helpful are the relationships I built in the MVS program. Staying connected to Dr. Lowe, Dr. Aldridge, and others has made the adjustment easier.”
The shift from the MVS program to her PhD track has highlighted the value of connections. “The coursework has some similarities, like journal clubs and open discussions, but what’s been most helpful are the relationships I built in the MVS program. Staying connected to Dr. Lowe, Dr. Aldridge, and others has made the adjustment easier.”
Graduate research has also required changes to her daily routine. Because her work involves living cells, she often schedules her day around their needs. “Every day I check on them, and if something goes wrong, it can affect my entire project,” she said. Some days in the lab are short, while others can stretch to six or seven hours when unexpected issues arise.
Balancing lab work with personal life has required Jenna to develop a new level of discipline and flexibility. Being a Ph.D. student is more than a full-time job; it’s a commitment that demands focus, persistence, and adaptability, all of which she has leaned into. Even with the long hours, she makes it a priority to keep up with the activities that recharge her, like playing pickleball in the mornings and going to the gym on weekends. While free time is harder to come by, Jenna views the balancing act as part of her growth. “At the end of the day, there’s always something else to do—whether it’s preparing for lab, finishing assignments, or just basic tasks like making lunch for the next day,” she said. “But learning how to manage it all has made me more resilient.”
Looking ahead, she is keeping her options open. While she once planned to focus on equine medicine, she is now more interested in roles in industry, such as consulting for biotech or pharmaceutical companies.
Her advice to students entering research with little experience is simple: don’t be discouraged. “It’s okay to make mistakes. No one expects you to be perfect. On days when you really don’t want to do it, just take a breather, and it’ll be okay. Tomorrow’s a new day.”