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Samantha Davern ’19, a marine biology major who has been accepted into the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, credits her hands-on learning experiences for preparing her for graduate school.

May 1, 2019

By Renee Chmiel, Office of Marketing and Communications

As Commencement approaches, we’ll introduce you to some members of the University’s Class of 2019. First up is Samantha Davern ’19, a marine biology major, whose studies have brought her to Alaska and the Bahamas.

During her time as a student, Samantha Davern ’19 has immersed herself in research and hands-on learning experiences.

One of her favorites was interning in the veterinary laboratory, an opportunity made possible through the Bergami Family Summer Internship Program.

"This program made it possible for me to live in Alaska all summer," said Davern. "Without this involvment, I wouldn’t have gotten the experience or made the connections that proved to be integral to my veterinary school acceptance."

This fall, she will be attending the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. She plans to apply to the school’s DVM/MS in Lab Animal Medicine program, a dual degree program that would enable her to earn her master’s and complete a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.

A member of the University’s honors program, Davern’s thesis focused on comparing harbor seal mortalities in New England and Alaskan populations. She discovered her interest in pathology while taking a marine mammal biology course at Shoals Marine Laboratory in Maine.

"At the University of New Haven, I developed important research and critical thinking skills in my classes and labs that will be extremely beneficial as I pursue my doctorate."Samantha Davern ’19

"I have become better at public speaking throughout my time at the University through the many presentations and events I took part in," said Davern, who is a member of the University’s . "My coursework and research projects have also helped me develop valuable writing skills."

Davern, who also studied abroad in the Bahamas, is a member of the University’s , bringing awareness to environmental threats.

"At the University of New Haven, I developed important research and critical thinking skills in my classes and labs that will be extremely beneficial as I pursue my doctorate," Davern said.