Check out our 2024 Annual Report to see all that we accomplished in the past year!<\/h3>\n<\/div>![\"2024](\"https:\/\/vetmed.illinois.edu\/wel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2025\/01\/wel-annual_report_2024-800x1035-1-232x300.jpg\")
<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div>2024 WEL Annual Report<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>The Wildlife Epidemiology Lab within the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois offers\u00a0formal and informal training opportunities for veterinarians and veterinary students.<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"Field](\"https:\/\/vetmed.illinois.edu\/wel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2015\/02\/fieldwork2015--300x207.jpg\")
<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div>\nFieldwork<\/h4>\n
Fieldwork is an important part of the Lab’s work.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n(IMAGE JOYCE SEAY-KNOBLAUCH)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"Emilie](\"https:\/\/vetmed.illinois.edu\/wel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2020\/05\/DSC_1978-2-300x214.jpg\")
<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div>\nDiagnostic Lab<\/h4>\n
Submit Diagnostic Lab tests through our website.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"Field](\"https:\/\/vetmed.illinois.edu\/wel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2015\/02\/fungroup2015--300x207.jpg\")
<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div>\nWildlife Health Training<\/h4>\n
Educating students in the importance of wildlife disease.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Student Blogs<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Eastern <\/strong>Box Turtle Team<\/h4>\n<\/div>![](\"https:\/\/vetmed.illinois.edu\/wel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2024\/05\/24eastboxturtles-300x300.jpg\")
<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div>Maris:<\/b> I am a DVM\/PhD student in WEL entering the third year of my PhD which focuses on the health of confiscated eastern box turtles. This is my third summer being a Turtle Team Leader!<\/p>\nMy name is Shari<\/b>, and I am an incoming third-year veterinary student at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. I aspire to one day be a zoo veterinarian! This summer I will be conducting viral disease surveillance in box turtles.<\/div><\/div><\/div>Maris and Shari\u2019s latest posts:<\/a><\/h4>\n<\/div>![\"RSS\"](\"https:\/\/vetmed.illinois.edu\/wel\/wp-includes\/images\/rss.png\")
<\/a> Maris and Sharie’s latest posts:<\/a><\/h4><\/div>- Turtle Team Week 4: Easterns vs Ornates<\/a> June 10, 2024<\/span><\/li>
- Turtle Team Week 3: Performing a Physical Exam<\/a> June 10, 2024<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Ornate <\/strong>Box<\/strong>\u00a0Turtles<\/h4>\n<\/div>![](\"https:\/\/vetmed.illinois.edu\/wel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2024\/05\/24ornate-box-turtle2-300x300.jpg\")
<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div>Erika<\/b> is a rising second-year DVM student who is interested in zoological and conservation medicine. Her research will be on herpesviruses in ornate box turtles in Illinois this summer!<\/p>\nMaddie<\/b> is a rising second-year veterinary student researching health parameters in ornate box turtles by surveying proteins in the blood!<\/div><\/div><\/div>Erika and Maddie\u2019s latest posts:<\/a><\/h4>\n<\/div><\/a> Erika and Maddie’s latest posts:<\/a><\/h4><\/div>- Field Updates<\/a> July 25, 2024<\/span><\/li>
- Tips and Tricks to Surviving Poison Ivy<\/a> July 15, 2024<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div>
<\/a> Sam\u2019s latest posts:<\/a><\/h4><\/div>- Meet Dr. Matt Allender Jr.<\/a> July 19, 2023<\/span><\/li>
- Any One Person Kayak Can Be A Two Person Kayak If You Believe<\/a> June 8, 2023<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div>
<\/a> Megan’s latest posts:<\/a><\/h4><\/div>- Slithering Through Indiana<\/a> August 26, 2017<\/span><\/li>
- Wildlife Disease and Reptile Trivia<\/a> August 6, 2017<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Cook County Aquatics<\/strong> Team<\/h4>\n<\/div>![](\"https:\/\/vetmed.illinois.edu\/wel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2024\/05\/24cook-co-aqua-300x300.jpg\")
<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div>Jaime<\/b> is a rising second-year veterinary student researching vitamin D and calcium levels in\u00a0turtles in Cook County, IL.<\/p>\nKatelyn<\/b> is a rising third year veterinary student interested in zoological medicine and will be conducting research this summer on the seasonality of health assessments in Painted Turtles!<\/div><\/div><\/div>Jaime and Kate\u2019s latest posts:<\/a><\/h4>\n<\/div><\/a> Jamie and Kate’s latest posts:<\/a><\/h4><\/div>- A common question from the public<\/a> July 3, 2024<\/span><\/li>
- Cook county x Bikini Bottom<\/a> June 23, 2024<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div>
<\/a> Kami and Katelyn\u2019s latest posts:<\/a><\/h4><\/div>- Choose your fighter<\/a> June 26, 2023<\/span><\/li>
- Softzilla vs. Chonkosaurus<\/a> June 16, 2023<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div>
<\/a> Lauren and John’s latest post:<\/a><\/h4><\/div>- Week 11: Final Thoughts and Thank Yous<\/a> August 15, 2017<\/span><\/li>
- Week 10: Blanding\u2019s Blunders and Bloopers<\/a> July 26, 2017<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Lake County Aquatics’s Team<\/h4>\n<\/div>![](\"https:\/\/vetmed.illinois.edu\/wel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2024\/05\/24lake-co-300x300.jpg\")
<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div>Javelis<\/b> is a rising second-year vet student from Puerto Rico interested in wildlife conservation medicine. This summer she is conducting research on the body condition index (BCI) of\u00a0adult\u00a0female Blanding\u2019s turtles during their reproductive cycle.
\nMarg<\/b> is a rising third year student from Illinois who is interested in pursuing avian and reptile medicine. She is excited to be out with the turtles for a second summer!<\/div><\/div><\/div>Javelis and Marg\u2019s latest posts:<\/a><\/h4>\n<\/div>
<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div>2024 WEL Annual Report<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>The Wildlife Epidemiology Lab within the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois offers\u00a0formal and informal training opportunities for veterinarians and veterinary students.<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div>\nFieldwork<\/h4>\n
Fieldwork is an important part of the Lab’s work.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n(IMAGE JOYCE SEAY-KNOBLAUCH)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div>\nDiagnostic Lab<\/h4>\n
Submit Diagnostic Lab tests through our website.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div>\nWildlife Health Training<\/h4>\n
Educating students in the importance of wildlife disease.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Student Blogs<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Eastern <\/strong>Box Turtle Team<\/h4>\n<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div>Maris:<\/b> I am a DVM\/PhD student in WEL entering the third year of my PhD which focuses on the health of confiscated eastern box turtles. This is my third summer being a Turtle Team Leader!<\/p>\nMy name is Shari<\/b>, and I am an incoming third-year veterinary student at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. I aspire to one day be a zoo veterinarian! This summer I will be conducting viral disease surveillance in box turtles.<\/div><\/div><\/div>Maris and Shari\u2019s latest posts:<\/a><\/h4>\n<\/div><\/a> Maris and Sharie’s latest posts:<\/a><\/h4><\/div>- Turtle Team Week 4: Easterns vs Ornates<\/a> June 10, 2024<\/span><\/li>
- Turtle Team Week 3: Performing a Physical Exam<\/a> June 10, 2024<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Ornate <\/strong>Box<\/strong>\u00a0Turtles<\/h4>\n<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div>Erika<\/b> is a rising second-year DVM student who is interested in zoological and conservation medicine. Her research will be on herpesviruses in ornate box turtles in Illinois this summer!<\/p>\nMaddie<\/b> is a rising second-year veterinary student researching health parameters in ornate box turtles by surveying proteins in the blood!<\/div><\/div><\/div>Erika and Maddie\u2019s latest posts:<\/a><\/h4>\n<\/div><\/a> Erika and Maddie’s latest posts:<\/a><\/h4><\/div>- Field Updates<\/a> July 25, 2024<\/span><\/li>
- Tips and Tricks to Surviving Poison Ivy<\/a> July 15, 2024<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div>
<\/a> Sam\u2019s latest posts:<\/a><\/h4><\/div>- Meet Dr. Matt Allender Jr.<\/a> July 19, 2023<\/span><\/li>
- Any One Person Kayak Can Be A Two Person Kayak If You Believe<\/a> June 8, 2023<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div>
<\/a> Megan’s latest posts:<\/a><\/h4><\/div>- Slithering Through Indiana<\/a> August 26, 2017<\/span><\/li>
- Wildlife Disease and Reptile Trivia<\/a> August 6, 2017<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Cook County Aquatics<\/strong> Team<\/h4>\n<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div>Jaime<\/b> is a rising second-year veterinary student researching vitamin D and calcium levels in\u00a0turtles in Cook County, IL.<\/p>\nKatelyn<\/b> is a rising third year veterinary student interested in zoological medicine and will be conducting research this summer on the seasonality of health assessments in Painted Turtles!<\/div><\/div><\/div>Jaime and Kate\u2019s latest posts:<\/a><\/h4>\n<\/div><\/a> Jamie and Kate’s latest posts:<\/a><\/h4><\/div>- A common question from the public<\/a> July 3, 2024<\/span><\/li>
- Cook county x Bikini Bottom<\/a> June 23, 2024<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div>
<\/a> Kami and Katelyn\u2019s latest posts:<\/a><\/h4><\/div>- Choose your fighter<\/a> June 26, 2023<\/span><\/li>
- Softzilla vs. Chonkosaurus<\/a> June 16, 2023<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div>
<\/a> Lauren and John’s latest post:<\/a><\/h4><\/div>- Week 11: Final Thoughts and Thank Yous<\/a> August 15, 2017<\/span><\/li>
- Week 10: Blanding\u2019s Blunders and Bloopers<\/a> July 26, 2017<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Lake County Aquatics’s Team<\/h4>\n<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div>Javelis<\/b> is a rising second-year vet student from Puerto Rico interested in wildlife conservation medicine. This summer she is conducting research on the body condition index (BCI) of\u00a0adult\u00a0female Blanding\u2019s turtles during their reproductive cycle.
\nMarg<\/b> is a rising third year student from Illinois who is interested in pursuing avian and reptile medicine. She is excited to be out with the turtles for a second summer!<\/div><\/div><\/div>Javelis and Marg\u2019s latest posts:<\/a><\/h4>\n<\/div>
The Wildlife Epidemiology Lab within the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois offers\u00a0formal and informal training opportunities for veterinarians and veterinary students.<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div>\nFieldwork<\/h4>\n
Fieldwork is an important part of the Lab’s work.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n(IMAGE JOYCE SEAY-KNOBLAUCH)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div>\nDiagnostic Lab<\/h4>\n
Submit Diagnostic Lab tests through our website.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div>\nWildlife Health Training<\/h4>\n
Educating students in the importance of wildlife disease.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Student Blogs<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Eastern <\/strong>Box Turtle Team<\/h4>\n<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div>Maris:<\/b> I am a DVM\/PhD student in WEL entering the third year of my PhD which focuses on the health of confiscated eastern box turtles. This is my third summer being a Turtle Team Leader!<\/p>\nMy name is Shari<\/b>, and I am an incoming third-year veterinary student at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. I aspire to one day be a zoo veterinarian! This summer I will be conducting viral disease surveillance in box turtles.<\/div><\/div><\/div>Maris and Shari\u2019s latest posts:<\/a><\/h4>\n<\/div><\/a> Maris and Sharie’s latest posts:<\/a><\/h4><\/div>- Turtle Team Week 4: Easterns vs Ornates<\/a> June 10, 2024<\/span><\/li>
- Turtle Team Week 3: Performing a Physical Exam<\/a> June 10, 2024<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Ornate <\/strong>Box<\/strong>\u00a0Turtles<\/h4>\n<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div>Erika<\/b> is a rising second-year DVM student who is interested in zoological and conservation medicine. Her research will be on herpesviruses in ornate box turtles in Illinois this summer!<\/p>\nMaddie<\/b> is a rising second-year veterinary student researching health parameters in ornate box turtles by surveying proteins in the blood!<\/div><\/div><\/div>Erika and Maddie\u2019s latest posts:<\/a><\/h4>\n<\/div><\/a> Erika and Maddie’s latest posts:<\/a><\/h4><\/div>- Field Updates<\/a> July 25, 2024<\/span><\/li>
- Tips and Tricks to Surviving Poison Ivy<\/a> July 15, 2024<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div>
<\/a> Sam\u2019s latest posts:<\/a><\/h4><\/div>- Meet Dr. Matt Allender Jr.<\/a> July 19, 2023<\/span><\/li>
- Any One Person Kayak Can Be A Two Person Kayak If You Believe<\/a> June 8, 2023<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div>
<\/a> Megan’s latest posts:<\/a><\/h4><\/div>- Slithering Through Indiana<\/a> August 26, 2017<\/span><\/li>
- Wildlife Disease and Reptile Trivia<\/a> August 6, 2017<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Cook County Aquatics<\/strong> Team<\/h4>\n<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div>Jaime<\/b> is a rising second-year veterinary student researching vitamin D and calcium levels in\u00a0turtles in Cook County, IL.<\/p>\nKatelyn<\/b> is a rising third year veterinary student interested in zoological medicine and will be conducting research this summer on the seasonality of health assessments in Painted Turtles!<\/div><\/div><\/div>Jaime and Kate\u2019s latest posts:<\/a><\/h4>\n<\/div><\/a> Jamie and Kate’s latest posts:<\/a><\/h4><\/div>- A common question from the public<\/a> July 3, 2024<\/span><\/li>
- Cook county x Bikini Bottom<\/a> June 23, 2024<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div>
<\/a> Kami and Katelyn\u2019s latest posts:<\/a><\/h4><\/div>- Choose your fighter<\/a> June 26, 2023<\/span><\/li>
- Softzilla vs. Chonkosaurus<\/a> June 16, 2023<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div>
<\/a> Lauren and John’s latest post:<\/a><\/h4><\/div>- Week 11: Final Thoughts and Thank Yous<\/a> August 15, 2017<\/span><\/li>
- Week 10: Blanding\u2019s Blunders and Bloopers<\/a> July 26, 2017<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Lake County Aquatics’s Team<\/h4>\n<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div>Javelis<\/b> is a rising second-year vet student from Puerto Rico interested in wildlife conservation medicine. This summer she is conducting research on the body condition index (BCI) of\u00a0adult\u00a0female Blanding\u2019s turtles during their reproductive cycle.
\nMarg<\/b> is a rising third year student from Illinois who is interested in pursuing avian and reptile medicine. She is excited to be out with the turtles for a second summer!<\/div><\/div><\/div>Javelis and Marg\u2019s latest posts:<\/a><\/h4>\n<\/div>
<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div>Fieldwork<\/h4>\n
Fieldwork is an important part of the Lab’s work.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n (IMAGE JOYCE SEAY-KNOBLAUCH)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div> Submit Diagnostic Lab tests through our website.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div> Educating students in the importance of wildlife disease.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div> My name is Shari<\/b>, and I am an incoming third-year veterinary student at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. I aspire to one day be a zoo veterinarian! This summer I will be conducting viral disease surveillance in box turtles.<\/div><\/div><\/div> Maddie<\/b> is a rising second-year veterinary student researching health parameters in ornate box turtles by surveying proteins in the blood!<\/div><\/div><\/div> Katelyn<\/b> is a rising third year veterinary student interested in zoological medicine and will be conducting research this summer on the seasonality of health assessments in Painted Turtles!<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div>Diagnostic Lab<\/h4>\n
<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div>Wildlife Health Training<\/h4>\n
Student Blogs<\/h2>\n<\/div>
Eastern <\/strong>Box Turtle Team<\/h4>\n<\/div>
<\/a><\/div><\/div>Maris and Shari\u2019s latest posts:<\/a><\/h4>\n<\/div>
<\/a> Maris and Sharie’s latest posts:<\/a><\/h4><\/div>Ornate <\/strong>Box<\/strong>\u00a0Turtles<\/h4>\n<\/div>
<\/a><\/div><\/div>Erika and Maddie\u2019s latest posts:<\/a><\/h4>\n<\/div>
<\/a> Erika and Maddie’s latest posts:<\/a><\/h4><\/div><\/a> Sam\u2019s latest posts:<\/a><\/h4><\/div><\/a> Megan’s latest posts:<\/a><\/h4><\/div>Cook County Aquatics<\/strong> Team<\/h4>\n<\/div>
<\/a><\/div><\/div>Jaime and Kate\u2019s latest posts:<\/a><\/h4>\n<\/div>
<\/a> Jamie and Kate’s latest posts:<\/a><\/h4><\/div><\/a> Kami and Katelyn\u2019s latest posts:<\/a><\/h4><\/div><\/a> Lauren and John’s latest post:<\/a><\/h4><\/div>Lake County Aquatics’s Team<\/h4>\n<\/div>
<\/a><\/div><\/div>
\nMarg<\/b> is a rising third year student from Illinois who is interested in pursuing avian and reptile medicine. She is excited to be out with the turtles for a second summer!<\/div><\/div><\/div>Javelis and Marg\u2019s latest posts:<\/a><\/h4>\n<\/div>