VMCVM Student Spotlight: Skylar Moiseeva
Skylar Moiseeva
Degree: DVM Class of 2025, Mixed Animal Track
Hometown: Russia, Ural Mountains
My undergraduate was in…
STEM and Pre-veterinary Medicine Associate Degrees
Best part of being a VMCVM student…
Having an incredible opportunity to learn from such amazing and passionate professors. All of them are having such a great impact on our careers and lives. I'm truly thankful.
The moment I knew I wanted to be a veterinarian/public health professional was…
Back in 2012, when I was having a convo with my mom over Skype. I was contemplating a long-term career at that time, and since I've always loved animals she pointed me toward animal science and vet med.
My hidden talent...
Dance. Singing. I used to dance and teach hip-hop when I was younger. I was teaching and performing with my team and solo back in Russia and thought that it would be my life. I looked up to a lot of US hip-hop choreographers and was determined to learn from them. That passion brought me all the way to California but after doing some self-search I ended up finding my purpose in a different field - veterinary medicine. I think immigrating alone at such a young age allowed me to experience life in so many different ways and in such an accelerated fashion. Self-guided and carefree, which might sound scary to some, and here I should be grateful to Mom for allowing me to go and explore on my own, but what I've realized at the end of the day is that all those independent struggles mattered - every single one of my stories of failure and success, as they helped me find a way to my heart, learn my values and strengthen my character.
A person who has inspired me...
All humans I've come across on my journey have taught me something and I'm grateful for them all, but animals and nature are my biggest inspirations in Life. There are so many lessons in their existence. The stillness and serenity they show have a profound impact on me.
Biggest misconception about being a veterinarian/public health student…
It's not as easy as one might think! ha-ha - to people outside of Vet Med.
You Are Already Enough - to my veterinary comrades.
If I had a superpower, it would be...
I think being a human is a superpower in itself already if one truly embraces life.
My no-fail, go-for-it motivational song...
Ben Howard - Keep your head up
Trevor Hall - Arrows
Dustin Thomas - Break These Chains
What excites me the most about the future of my industry...
The prospect of being able to contribute to animal health, the future of the human-animal bond, human health as a byproduct, and the environment.
Favorite way to end the day...
Watch the sunset somewhere near the cabin in the mountains cuddled up by the campfire smelling pine trees and stargazing, while being surrounded by the good company of friends, loved ones and furry ones.
Favorite quote...
"Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value"
How many pets/animals live at home? Can you tell us about them?
I feed birds out on the balcony, and once in a while a local squirrel jumps up onto the feeder and steals their seeds, occasionally slugs come around during humid summer days. I've got quite lively neighbors.
