Introducing the Box Turtle Team Leaders of 2026!!
Turtle season is officially back, and we could not be more excited! Over the next few months, we’ll be spending our days trekking through forests, prairies, wetlands, and field sites across Illinois in search of eastern (and occasionally ornate) box turtles. From early mornings in the field and muddy boots to exciting turtle finds hidden beneath leaves and logs, every day brings a new adventure during turtle season.
One of the best parts of the summer is getting to share these experiences with other veterinary students who are passionate about wildlife, conservation, and hands-on field medicine. Whether we’re teaching students how to safely process turtles, hiking miles through beautiful habitats, collecting important research data, or celebrating an exciting turtle find together, turtle season is always full of teamwork, learning, and unforgettable memories.
While plenty of our time will be spent outdoors, there is also a lot happening behind the scenes back at home base. We’ll be helping with DNA extractions, PCR, resident turtle projects, animal care, data management, and all of the lab work that helps support long-term conservation and research efforts. Every part of the season plays an important role in protecting and learning more about these incredible animals, and we are so excited to be part of it again this year.
Meet the Team
Hey everyone! I’m Becca! I’m a Class of 2028 DVM student, and this will be my third season working with box turtles through the Wildlife Epidemiology Lab and my second season as a Turtle Team Leader!
I’m originally from Kalamazoo, Michigan, and I hope to one day work in zoo/wildlife medicine or become a small animal surgeon. I love combining research, conservation, and hands-on wildlife work, so turtle season is easily one of my favorite parts of the year. My current research project is a retrospective study analyzing years of box turtle data, and it has been incredibly exciting to see over a decade of information come together to help us better understand these amazing animals.
One of the best parts of turtle season is getting to work alongside new students, helping them build confidence in the field while contributing to meaningful conservation research across Illinois. I can’t wait for another summer of turtles, teamwork, and adventures in the field!
I’m Grace! I’m a Class of 2028 DVM student, and this will be my second turtle season! I am primarily interested in large animal medicine, but I also have a huge passion for aquatics and wildlife conservation. Through veterinary school, I have loved getting involved with wildlife work and learning more about conservation medicine.
Currently, I help care for the rattlesnakes here at Illinois, which has been an amazing opportunity to gain more hands-on experience working with wildlife species. I will also be starting a research project soon, and I am excited to share more about it once I begin! This year, I am especially excited to step into my first season as a Turtle Team Lead. I cannot wait to teach students, share my enthusiasm for turtles, and help others become more involved in wildlife conservation. I am looking forward to another great turtle season and all the opportunities to learn, teach, and work alongside such passionate people!
I’m Tatum! I recently completed my Master of Veterinary Science program and will be joining the Class of 2030 DVM program! I hope to go into wildlife medicine focusing on research and conservation, but am currently exploring anatomic pathology as well.
In the past year I have been involved with a project looking at Emydomyces testavorans and am currently working on my own disinfectant efficacy study on that same pathogen. While my turtles have become one of my main focuses, I like to make time for book clubs and drawing. This will be my first turtle season and in an attempt to merge my interests, my goal is to draw the most adorable turtle of the season!
