Danny Caramico
Danny Caramico is the recipient of a Department of Animal Sciences Senior Excellence Award for Achievement in Academics, Research, and Service. Danny is a senior majoring in Animal Science on the Pre-Veterinary Medicine and Research track with a minor in Spanish, and will graduate with the class of 2025 this spring. Danny is a member of Alpha Zeta and has served as Activities Coordinator for the Vet Science Club for the past three years. In his roles as a Scarlet Ambassador and a line cook at the Douglass Student Center, Danny has felt more deeply connected to Rutgers through these opportunities to give back to others. Danny has also had the opportunity to work in Dr. Roepke’s lab, and serve as a TA for several Animal Science courses.
Danny will move on to The Ohio State University in the fall to attend veterinary school and pursue a DVM.
Julia Delucca
Julia is the recipient of a Department of Animal Sciences Senior Excellence Award for Achievement in Academics and Research. Julia is an Animal Science major on the Pre-Veterinary Medicine and Research track. Julia is a first-generation student and a proud member of the Honors College. Her hard work at Rutgers has included a diverse range of opportunities, including volunteering with Rutgers Alternative Breaks and studying abroad in Belize. Julia has also contributed to research at Rutgers as a member of the Roepke lab and through contributions to a George H. Cook research project.
In the fall, Julia will join the inaugural Class of 2029 at Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine at Rowan University to pursue her DVM.
Nicole Ficken
Nicole is the recipient of the 2025 Dr. Rex L. Gilbreath Memorial Award, which was established in memory of Dr. Gilbreath, former associate professor of Animal Sciences, Alpha Zeta Professor of the Year, and researcher in the field of swine nutrition. Nicole is an Animal Science major on the Pre-Veterinary Medicine and Research track, graduating in May 2025. During her time at Rutgers, Nicole has spent two years as a swine supervisor, and a semester working with the veterinary and husbandry staff in the animal research facilities. She has also been studying retinoids as a member of the Shmarakov lab for the past 3 years. As a participant in the SURF program and G.H. Cook Scholars program, Nicole researched the protective role of retinoids during ozone-induced lung inflammation.
Upon graduation, Nicole plans on taking a gap year to continue to work in veterinary medicine, and will eventually apply to veterinary school.
Megan Gilmore
Megan is the recipient of a Department of Animal Sciences Senior Excellence Award for Achievement in Academics, Research, and Service. Megan is an Animal Science major on the Pre-Veterinary Medicine and Research track. At Rutgers, Megan is a member of the Douglass Residential College, and an active member of the Veterinary Science Club, an organization where she previously held the Vice President role in the 2023-2024 school year. Additionally, Megan has performed research as a part of Dr. Snyder’s laboratory, studying how dietary amino acids impact male fertility, a project that she utilized for her George H. Cook Scholars Thesis. Outside of Rutgers, Megan has been a veterinary assistant at Raritan animal Hospital for three years, and enjoys baking, crafting, and traveling.
Megan will move on to attend the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in the fall to pursue a DVM and her eventual goal of becoming a general practitioner for various animals.
Crystal Johnson
Crystal is the recipient of a Department of Animal Sciences Senior Excellence Award for Achievement in Academics. Crystal is an Animal Science major on the Pre-Veterinary Medicine and Research track, graduating in May 2025. After transferring to Rutgers from Camden Community College in 2021, Crystal quickly found community at Rutgers through the Veterinary Science Club. Some of Crystal’s favorite hands-on animal experiences at Rutgers include classes such as Cattle Practicum, as well as helping other students as a TA for Animal Nutrition. Crystal has also worked part-time as a veterinary technician for the past eight years, and paints pet portraits on the side. When she isn’t with animals, Crystal enjoys gardening, watching horror movies, and learning new cooking recipes.
Crystal will attend the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in the fall, where she will pursue her DVM in hopes of becoming a veterinary pathologist.
Daphne Lau
Daphne is the recipient of a Department of Animal Sciences Senior Excellence Award for Achievement in Academics and Service. Daphne is a senior majoring in Animal Science on the Pre-Veterinary and Research track, with a minor in Business Administration, graduating this spring with the class of 2025. Daphne is currently the Vice President of the Veterinary Science club, and in the past has served as a TA for Animal Reproduction. Daphne has also worked at a vet clinic for the past seven years, starting off as a volunteer and working up to a technician position. Throughout her undergraduate education, Daphne had the opportunity to work closely with a veterinary oncologist and perform research under her guidance. In Fall 2024, Daphne had the opportunity to present her research on the most common botanicals that downregulate pathways in canine osteosarcoma at Chi University. In her free time, Daphne enjoys thrifting, trying new restaurants and cafes, and going to the gym.
In the fall, Daphne will join North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Class of 2029 to pursue her DVM. She hopes to specialize in surgery or oncology.
Sarah Van Name
Sarah is the recipient of a Department of Animal Sciences Senior Excellence Award for Achievement in Academics and Service. Sarah is graduating in Spring 2025 with an Animal Science major on the Pre-Veterinary and Research track, with a minor in Nutrition. Sarah has served as an Activities Coordinator for the past three years with the Veterinary Science Club. Sarah has also had the opportunity to serve as a swine supervisor for the Animal Handling & Fitting course. Outside of Rutgers, Sarah works at her local veterinary clinic, and volunteers her time at a therapeutic horse riding stable. Her favorite animal to work with on the Rutgers Farm were the pigs.
Upon graduation, Sarah plans to work at her local zoo and emergency veterinary hospital to gain valuable experience before applying to veterinary school.