VMCVM Student Spotlight: Brian Tu
Brian Tu
Degree: DVM, 2028, Mixed Track
Hometown: Frederick, Maryland
My undergraduate was in…
Biology: Concentration of Functional Biology of Animals at Towson University with
Two minors in Psychology and Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Bioinformatics.
Best part of being a VMCVM student…
... is being immersed into a community with like-minded peers! Everyone who comes to vet school has their own journey towards the same goal. My excitement comes from getting to know the knowledge, opportunities, and culture each person has experienced that are different than mine. Getting to build those connections are worth a lifetime!
The moment I knew I wanted to be a veterinarian/public health professional was…
... when I got my first dog at the age of 16. Biscuit, who at the time was 6 months old, had a moderately bad resource guarding behavior. She was chomping on her bacon flavored teething bone treat and was getting to the end of it. Not wanting her to eating and potentially choke on it, I tried to take it. She decided to run away from me around the house with it in her mouth. After 3 mins, I finally got her! I noticed it would not drop out so instead, she tried to swallow it. It was too big and got stuck so I did the heimlich on her. She was very upset when it came out of her mouth.
My hidden talent...
... is that I was a USA representative for both World Wushu (Chinese Martial Arts) Championships in Beijing, China, in 2007 and Angkara, Turkey, in 2011. Only two representatives were picked from each age group in the American Wushu Trials.
A person who has inspired me...
... are my parents. They work in the computer coding industry. Sitting in front of a computer for 8+ hours a day is not who I am. They saw my determination and one-track mind of becoming a veterinarian and knew I could not be stopped.
Biggest misconception about being a veterinarian/public health student…
... is needing to be the top of your class. Vet school is hard, do not get me wrong, you worked so hard to get here but you still need to make sure you have time for yourself, friends, and family! This is the time to find hobbies that you love because once you are practicing, it might be just as time-consuming. You will need to make time for yourself and find an escape so that you do not burn yourself out too soon.
If I had a superpower, it would be...
... duplication! I can help so many people, be in multiple places at once, complete so many tasks, so much more!
My no-fail, go-for-it motivational song...
No Excuses by NF! My best friend from undergrad introduced me to this song and it will always be my hype song for any situation!
The course project/study you're most excited about…
Other than my first spay lab, I cannot wait for rotations to start. I feel like this is where I can really grow with the knowledge I have gained since starting vet school to help owners with their pets!
What excites me the most about the future of my industry...
... is the knowledge I can share to education my future clients. My main motto is to be transparent and honest. This will keep me accountable and true to the decisions I make. This will also help build an open, 2-directional relationship, with my clients, co-workers, peers, etc., to make sure that their opinions are heard and taken into account to allow for a progressive discussion.
Favorite way to end the day...
Cooking a fresh meal with music in the room and eating it while watching a movie!
Top of my bucket list...
Skydive! I have done iFly (indoor skydiving) but that was just a tiny taste of the adrenaline that wouldn't even compare to jumping out of a plane.
How many pets/animals live at home? Can you tell us about them?
I have two pets, currently living with my parents. Biscuit is an 8 year-old Maltese-Shiz-Tzu and Buddy is a 4 year-old Bichon-Shiz-Tzu-Cavalier mix. Biscuit was the trouble maker but she is the one who made me what to become a veterinarian. Buddy is just the sweetest boy who follows everywhere you go!
Anything else to add?
Be yourself! There is nothing wrong with being weird. Embrace it and all will come together!
