Meet the Instructor!
Name: Dr. Maria Juarez Byrd
Title: DVM
Dr. Juarez Byrd is an instructor for the Graduate Certificate in Veterinary Science program, Veterinary Student Bridge program and the Master of Veterinary Science degree program .
Tell us about your background!
I grew up just outside of Kansas City, Missouri, and was homeschooled until 8th grade with my siblings. I eventually made my way to Mizzou where I explored neuroscience, reproduction, and animal science before committing to a career in veterinary medicine. I graduated from Cornell in 2021 and now practice as an exotic and small animal vet in addition to my work at the University of Illinois.
What are your special interests in your field of work?
I love exotic animal surgery, imaging, and husbandry reviews! I’m passionate about mentorship and believe no student should miss out on an educational opportunity just because they missed a logistical step. I really enjoy taking something that feels amorphous and chaotic (like a course idea or graduate school applications) and applying a framework to make them manageable for someone else to use.
What’s your role in the College of Veterinary Medicine and what do you enjoy the most about it?
I’m an instructor in the CVS, Veterinary Student Bridge program, and MVS programs. There are three things I absolutely love about my role. The first is mentorship and being able to work with students one-on-one to help ensure they’re on track with their long-term goals. The second is case writing, where I consider some of the challenges my patients have faced and write about the experiences in a way that helps students better understand the course concepts. The final is facilitating the pod [small group of students]. It’s incredibly rewarding to see how the students grow throughout the program.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I’m a huge fan of thriller and fantasy Webtoons like ZomGan and The Cursed Princess Club, and for short reads and historical fiction, I like Before We Were Yours. I also enjoy tabletop games when my flock of baby “Byrds” offer longer breaks!
Learn more about Dr. Maria Juarez Byrd here!