Ever since elementary school, Olivia Saul has known she was going to be a future Cyclone. Certain that she wanted to be a veterinarian, Olivia was always drawn to Iowa State and the strong animal science department. Now a junior, Olivia has spent her time her in Ames heavily involved and prepared for her future career.
Hailing from Davenport, Iowa, Olivia is vice president of fundraising for Students Helping Rescue Animals club, a co-chair for Boo Radley through the Pre-Veterinarian club, an Iowa State Honors student, and a member of Veterinarians Without Borders.
Along with her club involvement, Olivia has also been immersed in the research side of things in the animal science department. She has worked as a research assistant through Veterinarian Diagnostics and Production of Animal Medicine for Iowa State College of Veterinary Medicine. Freshman year she assisted with a project that tested the effects of virtual reality on laying hens, and sophomore year she helped with a project about CBD and how it impacts dairy calves. Now in her junior year, Olivia is involved with a beef cattle project. She gives credit to her first-year honors mentor program for getting her active in the various research projects.
Olivia is most proud of the connections she has made with professors, research mentors, and her peers within various clubs. She also enjoys being an active volunteer at Story County Animal Shelter, Ames Animal Shelter, and the Animal Rescue League, which she has done for the past three years.
After graduation, Olivia is planning on going to veterinary school to focus on exotics, including marine mammals and wildlife rehabilitation.
Olivia’s advice to other students:
“Get involved as soon as you can, join many clubs and establish connections early. You will thank yourself later.”