Class of 2024: Top veterinary graduate Alexandra Reddy finds unexpected path to pathology studies
Name: Alexandra Reddy
College: Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine
Degree: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Hometown: Halifax, Virginia
Plans after graduation: Reddy will be staying at the veterinary college for a five-year pathology residency and pursuing a Ph.D. She hopes to work in academia beyond that.
Why I’m a Hokie: “I was born and raised in Virginia. Virginia will always have my heart. So in that sense, Virginia Tech was where I wanted to come for veterinary school. But another thing that really attracted me about Virginia Tech, specifically, is our public corporate track because I knew I had nontraditional interests. And so it was important to me to go to a school that would support that.”
Most difficult part of veterinary studies: “I am a very big family person and an academic person. So for me, the most challenging thing was making sure that I didn't compromise either of those values that are important to me. And thankfully, with that being said, I'm blessed with the most incredible family and friends, and my boyfriend. I've had incredible support from everyone that helped me achieve that balance.
The journey to veterinary college
Sometimes the back door leads to the top of the class.
“I did not grow up wanting to be a veterinarian,” Reddy said. “I was not the classic student that knew since I was in existence that I wanted to be a veterinarian.”
Reddy is the valedictorian for the Class of 2024 of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and the recipient of the Richard B. Talbot Award scholarship, given each year to the veterinary college graduate with the highest GPA.
Reddy found her way to the veterinary college through science coursework at Galileo Magnet High School in Danville and undergraduate studies in zoology and pre-medicine at Liberty University in Lynchburg.
“During my first year through my environmental science classes, I realized I love learning about these issues because I want to help the animals that they impact, not because I love soil biology or water chemistry or things like that,” Reddy said.
Reddy said her prior frame of reference for veterinary medicine had been the clinics in her native Southside Virginia that treated pets or livestock.
“I didn't see myself in general practice,” Reddy said. “While at Liberty University, I became involved in scientific research and fell in love with it. So I googled 'veterinary scientist' one day and stumbled upon a veterinary research program at Purdue's College of Veterinary Medicine. I was accepted and matched into a veterinary pathology laboratory. Through this program, I realized the breadth of veterinarians, specifically veterinary pathologists, and I fell in love. Then I decided to apply to veterinary school.”
Pathology in practice
Reddy finished her fourth-year externships with a pathology rotation at the Bronx Zoo and New York Aquarium this spring. She served previous pathology rotations at the Zoological Pathology Program at the Brookfield Zoo Chicago, Stanford University, and Johns Hopkins University.
She also deeply enjoyed caring for the animals at SeaQuest Lynchburg, an aquarium and zoo in Lynchburg’s River Ridge Mall that inspired her during her undergraduate studies.
“She has excelled in my exotic elective courses and displayed the best qualities of our veterinary students in an externship at SeaQuest Aquarium,” said Stephen A. Smith, professor of aquatic medicine, fish health, wildlife and exotic animal medicine. “Alex is one of those special students who you realize is just starting to reach her potential in the veterinary profession.”
"High standards for myself"
Kevin Lahmers, clinical professor of anatomic pathology, said Reddy possesses qualities that make her unique even among her class of exceptionally intelligent peers.
“In addition to her book smarts, Alex is personable and willing to work toward the goals she sets,” Lahmers said. “She has enthusiastically pursued her chosen area of specialization and has already demonstrated skills and knowledge that frequently take several years to acquire, if at all.“
Reddy may have come in the back door to her veterinary pathology interests, but it was still a steep climb up the stairs to achieve the top GPA, which, again, was not one of her initial goals.
“That was not something that I set out to achieve coming into veterinary school,” Reddy said. “I've always had high standards for myself. And I always want to know that I gave my best. Coming into veterinary school, I knew that it was going to be the most challenging academic program I would ever undertake. And as long as I gave my best, and learned to take care of my patients, for myself that's what matters.”
