Peer Mentors
About the Peer Mentors
The goal of Peer Mentoring is to help incoming first year DVM students make a smooth transition and adjust to life as a student at the college. Peer mentors are second or third year DVM students and are invaluable resources as they can offer advice based on their personal experience at the college.
Peer Mentors are assigned to all first year DVM students. Incoming students are typically contacted by their peer mentors during the summer before they are scheduled to enter the DVM program.
Rebecca Babekov
Hi everyone! My name is Rebecca Babekov, I was born and raised in Queens, NY and this is my first venture away from New York City. I graduated from CUNY Baruch College in 2021 and spent 2 years after to work in small animal surgery at the Animal Medical Center. I’m a proud first-generation student representing my mixed heritage from Russia and Honduras. For my future, I am interested in pursuing small animal surgery or general practice. In my free time off campus, I enjoy hiking, all water activities (kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming, white water rafting), weightlifting, roller skating, hanging out with my cats Boubeer and Leia, and trying new food (tacos especially but only the authentic kind!). On campus I enjoy taking walks down to the undergrad campus, soaking up sun on the slope, visiting the Big Red Barn, going to school sports events (the student vs. faculty hockey game is great!), and spending time with the Block 7 teaching dogs and cats. I am very excited to meet all of you and help make your transition to veterinary school as smooth as possible.
Alycia Basquiat
Hi everyone! My name is Alycia Basquiat and I am in the class of 2028. I’m from Queens, NY and graduated from Cornell CALS for my undergrad in 2024, where I majored in animal science and
minored in education. During my undergrad I was involved in parvovirus research at the Baker Institute and served on the e-boards of multiple student organizations, such as Pre-Vet Society. I had also worked/shadowed at a couple clinics in the area. I am currently interested in small animals/exotics and international veterinary medicine. At school, I now serve as CVM representative for the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GPSA), work as a student milker at the Teaching Dairy Barn, and work as an assistant in the university office of Student Disability Services. Outside of school, I like to go on nature walks, dance, watch ridiculous movies/shows, and frequent the bakery section at Wegman’s. I am really excited to meet and get to know everyone! Feel free to reach out to me at anytime (acb325@cornell.edu)!
Vianna Bassani
Hi everyone! My name is Vianna and I am a member of the Class of 2027. I am from New Fairfield, Connecticut and I graduated from the University of Connecticut with a degree in Animal Science with a minor in Italian and a degree in Pathobiology. During undergrad, I completed my thesis on the effects of poor maternal nutrition on IgG in sheep, worked at a necropsy lab, and as a veterinary assistant during my summers. At Cornell, I am the retail chair and on the social committee for the Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA), secretary of Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA), and keeper of the portal for Omega Tau Sigma (OTS). I work as an Emergency Student Assistant in the ER at CUHA, Student Milker at the Teaching Dairy Barn, and tour guide. Currently, I’m most interested in small animal emergency medicine or surgery, but I’m excited to keep exploring my interests in veterinary medicine. Outside of school, I love to play soccer, hang out with friends, explore Ithaca, and eat ice cream! I’m so excited to meet all of you soon!
Allison Carpenter
Hello everyone! My name is Allison Carpenter and I'm in the Class of 2028. I often go by Alli, and I am from a small town in Eastern Long Island, NY. Long before veterinary school, I attended summer camp at a local farm where I first developed my admiration for working with animals. I attended and graduated from Colgate University in 2023 with a degree in molecular biology and a film studies minor. During my gap year and college, I worked as a veterinary assistant at a small animal clinic, and had a variety of interesting jobs, such as working at a restaurant and as an ironworker. I have an open mind about my veterinary interests and am still exploring what I enjoy most, but could see myself pursuing a specialty in small animal medicine. When I'm not studying or working in the CUHA ER, I love spending time with my friends, hiking, watching movies, swimming in the ocean or swimming holes in Ithaca, and going to see live music! I'm so excited to get to know you all and support you in your CVM journey!
Brianna Chen
Hi!! My name is Brianna and I'm a member of the class of 2028. I grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona and graduated from Arizona State University in the 2022 with a degree in Biological Sciences. In college, I worked with reptiles in an environmental physiology research lab, and as a veterinary assistant in lab animal medicine and small animal GP. During my gap year I worked as an elementary school teaching fellow and volunteered at a local wildlife rehabilitation center during my free time. I'm most interested in working with exotics, wildlife, and small animals in the future, although I am keeping an open mind! Here at Cornell, I work at the Teaching Dairy Barn as a student milker, and I am involved with ZAWS (Zoo and Wildlife Society) and AAVMP (Association of Asian Veterinary Medical Professionals). Outside of school, I love nature walks, watching sunsets, trying new restaurants/coffee/boba shops, spending time with friends/family/pets, travel, and photography. I can't wait to meet you all! :)
Claire Chiang
Hi everyone! My name is Claire Chiang and I am a second year vet student with a primary interest in avian and exotic practice, and a love for teaching/academia. Prior to vet school, I went to undergrad at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh with a major in biological sciences. My experiences stem from an avian, zoo, and exotic background where I did work at the National Aviary and a small exotic clinical practice. Here at Cornell, I am on the board for AAVMP (Association of Asian Veterinary Medical Professionals), ZAWS (Zoo and Wildlife Society), and work as a wildlife student technician at the Janet L. Swanson Wildlife Hospital. I love reading, taking care of plants, spoiling my cat, and thrifting! My cat Kiki is a retired research cat and was adopted from the CARE program here at Cornell in my first year. As a peer mentor I am most excited to help students navigate vet school while discovering all that veterinary medicine has to offer. I am looking forward to getting to know everyone and congrats on choosing Cornell, it is going to be an amazing four years!
Isabel Davis
I am a second year veterinary student from northern Virginia and I am excited to be a peer mentor this year! Before coming to vet school, I was a biology major at Amherst College, where I rowed on the crew team. At Cornell I am a member of ultrasounds, the vet school’s a capella group, as well as a member of ZAWS, Tabletop vets and the Pride club. I am still figuring out my veterinary interests, but so far I am leaning towards small animal or exotic pet medicine and am considering specializing in neurology, internal medicine, or whatever else I find myself drawn to as I go through vet school. Outside of school I enjoy walking or hiking around Ithaca, baking everything from cookies to cakes to brownies, and spending time with friends. I also enjoy trying to teach myself the ukulele and spending time with my bearded dragon, Finnegan. I look forward to meeting all of you soon!
Katriella Hirsch-Hoffman
My name is Katriella (Kat) and I am a part of the class of 2028. I’m from Bronx New York and went to Binghamton University for undergrad where I was a Biology major. After graduation I took two years off to work in the field and gain a range of clinical experience. I worked in small animal ER/ICU, small animal GP, small animal specialty (Internal Medicine), and exotics. Now, I am a student technician in the CUHA exotics department, and am interested in pursuing companion exotics and/or small animal GP; I am particularly interested in (aka obsessed with) rabbits and other small mammals. I am also on the board for ZAWS (Zoo and Wildlife) and JAVS (Jewish Association) clubs. When I’m not at school or work I’m either at the gym, in my kitchen baking, playing with my 3 pet bunnies, thrifting, or just walking around and exploring Ithaca with friends! As a peer mentor, I’m most excited to help introduce new students to the CVM building, Cornell campus, and Ithaca at large; there are so many exciting opportunities and cool spots to check out :) I cannot wait to meet you all, and CONGRATULATIONS- it’s going to be an amazing four years!!
Casey Kenny
My name is Casey and I’m a rising second year (c/o 2027). I grew up in Walden, NY and began my undergraduate degree at LSU studying Animal, Dairy, and Poultry Sciences and assisting with research in equine endocrinology and comparative anatomy of Australian psittacines. I ended up sidelined by some health concerns and returned to NY after two years, but I used my time off to work as a crisis counselor and as an EMT as I really enjoy supporting people, too. I finished my degree in organismal biology at SUNY New Paltz and left my years of GP behind to work at a small animal veterinary ER afterward. I love exotic pets (especially birds and reptiles) and plan to work in small animal emergency with exotics in the future. I currently work as a student tech in the Exotics department at CUHA, as a student milker, and for a snake breeder downtown. If I’m not hanging with my menagerie of pets, you can find me outside of school driving around jamming to Broadway soundtracks, finding four-leaf clovers and cool bugs, or woodworking and crafting. I’m excited to get to know everyone and you can reach me anytime at ck778@cornell.edu!
Charlie Koncelik
Hi everyone! I’m Charlie Koncelik, a 2nd year vet student and I’ll be a peer mentor for the 2025-2026 academic year. I’m originally from Cleveland, Ohio and I went to Cornell for Undergrad where I majored in animal science. My veterinary interests are mostly in small animal medicine, with potential specialty interest in emergency and critical care. At school, I’m involved in the Business Club (VBMA), Southside Community Clinic, and I work in the CUHA Anesthesia Department and at the Teaching Dairy as a Student Milker/Herd Health member. Outside of classes I like to run/go to the gym, take care of my leopard gecko lola, listen to music, and watch movies. My favorite movies are La La Land, Mean Girls, and Inside Out, but I also love horror movies. I’m excited to meet you all and see some familiar faces!
Victoria Love
Hi! My name is Victoria Love, but I go by Tori! I am a rising second year, and I am mainly interested in small animal specialty practice including emergency / critical care medicine and cardiology. I have aspirations to pursue a residency in one of those two specialties as of right now! I am also interested in wildlife as I have experience in marine mammal and sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation so that is another big interest of mine. I am an emergency student assistant at CUHA and I am involved in the cardiology and SVECCs clubs on campus! A little bit about me outside of veterinary school; I grew up in CNY around Utica, NY and went to college in Rhode Island at Roger Williams University. I graduated in 2020 and worked in a feline only hospital for about 3 years prior to applying to vet school, so I like to joke that I am an old cat lady at heart. I live in Ithaca with my fiancé, our two cats (Obi and Biscuit (pictured above)), and our bearded dragon (Gizmo). My favorite things to do outside of school are watch Chelsea F.C. soccer games, RuPaul’s Drag Race, and marvel movies as well as spend time with my little family and go on nature hikes to waterfalls! As you will come to know, I also thoroughly enjoy listening to Miss Taylor Swift, along with country music. I cannot wait to meet you all and not only be a point of reference for you as you transition into this next phase of your veterinary career, but also provide a safe space for you to come to with whatever you may need. :)
Jillian Lucito
Hi everyone! My name is Jillian and I am a second year vet student from Long Island. I graduated from University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2022 with a degree in microbiology and Italian, and took a gap year there before starting vet school. I am interested in small animal emergency medicine and critical care, and work as a student assistant at the Cornell ER! At school I am the Vice President of the small animal ECC club, and am also a student milker and tour guide. I am also and OTS member and would love to chat about the brotherhood! I am obsessed with my adorable orange cat named cheese, as well as my many houseplants. I also dabble in pickleball and am always looking for new people to play with! I am looking forward to getting to know everyone and helping out in your transition to vet school!
Rose Molina-Gonzalez
Hi! My name is Rose Molina-Gonzalez, and I’m a rising second-year veterinary student. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NYC, and completed my undergraduate studies at CUNY Hunter College in Manhattan’s Upper East Side. There, I majored in Biochemistry with a concentration in Music History and conducted research focused on improving drug delivery methods for cancer treatments using nanoscience and biotechnology. My current veterinary interests include small animal emergency and critical care, specialty medicine, and One Health research—but like many of us, I’m always exploring and evolving my interests! On campus, I work in the ICU department at CUHA and also serve as a Director at the Southside Community Clinic, where we provide low-cost veterinary services to the Ithaca community. Outside of school, I love reading, watching anime, playing videos games and sports like volleyball and tennis, and picking up new hobbies with friends. As a big-city girl who moved to a small town, I’ve come to really appreciate Ithaca and all the activities it offers in every season! I also brought my two cats, Nickie and Alex, with me to Ithaca—they’ve been a constant source of love and support throughout vet school!
Ishita Monga
Hi! My name is Ishita (Ish)! I am an incoming third year, class of 2027 and I’m interested in all non-traditional species (exotics/zoo/aquatics/wildlife). I’m originally from Santa Clara, CA and did my undergrad at UCLA where I studied Physiological Sciences and Philosophy. At Cornell, I’m involved in the Curriculum Committee, SAVMA, ZAWS (Zoo and Wildlife Society), AAVMP (Association of Asian Veterinary Medical Professionals), and Vet Ed. I also work as a student assistant at Janet L. Wildlife Hospital, student milker at the Teaching Dairy Barn, Block I course assistant, and as a Purina student ambassador. Outside of school, I love to hang out with my rat Pocket and 2 orange cats Meatball and Mozzarella, thrift, spend time in the sun, and nap. Congratulations on choosing Cornell, excited to meet you all! You can reach me anytime at im367@cornell.edu :-)
Anya Ocampos
Hi! My name is Anya, and I'm a rising second year (c/o 2028). I grew up in Waco, TX and went to Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi for undergrad, where I majored in Biomedical Sciences and completed research on common bottlenose dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico. My current veterinary interests are shelter medicine and zoo/wildlife medicine with a focus on large marine vertebrates. Here at Cornell, I'm involved in the Association of Asian Veterinary Medical Professionals (AAVMP), Shelter Medicine Club, Zoo and Wildlife Society (ZAWS), Omega Tau Sigma (OTS), and work as a wildlife student assistant at the Janet L. Swanson Wildlife Hospital. Outside of school, I work as a bartender at Lot 10 and like to spend my free time playing volleyball, catching sunsets on the slope, and grabbing boba with friends. I'm super excited to get to know y'all and offer support throughout this new chapter of y'all's lives!
Kobi Rassnick
Hi everyone - I'm Kobi, a rising second-year from right here in Ithaca, NY. I completed my undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences at Cornell, coming to the CVM as a member of the 7-year Accelerated BS/DVM program. Right now, my veterinary interests lie in small animal specialty medicine, although I'm keeping my options open and certainly willing to continue exploring! I'm additionally interested in pursuing research, and I'm currently working with teams of students and doctors on several CUHA clinical trials. At school, I'm involved with SAVMA, AAVMP (Association of Asian Veterinary Medical Professionals), SACS (Small Animal Clinical Skills) club, and the Student Ambassador program. Off campus, I'm interested in all things music, working out, skiing, and hiking around our gorgeous town. Excited to meet you all!
Amy Salim
Hello everyone! My name is Amy, and I am a member of the Class of 2028. I am an international student from Indonesia and came to the U.S. at the end of 2021 to complete my bachelor’s degree. I graduated from the University of California, Davis in 2024 with a degree in Animal Science and an area of emphasis on Livestock and Dairy. My experiences in undergraduate were largely focused on animal handling in both small and large animals. I was also interested in research and had the opportunity to be involved in breast cancer research. This summer, I am keeping my research passion alive by participating in the Veterinary Investigation & Leadership Program (VILP), exploring centromere proteins involved in chromosome segregation. I am currently a Student Technician at the Imaging Service at the Cornell University Hospital for Animals, a Student Milker at the Teaching Dairy Barn, the Junior Delegate of Cornell SAVMA, and one of the Southside Clinic Directors. Outside of school, I enjoy reading, crocheting, and walking around the Arboretum. I am excited to be one of your peer mentors, and I look forward to getting to know every one of you. Congratulations on your decision to attend Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and welcome to Ithaca!
Brittany Tagg
Hello everyone!!! My name is Brittany Tagg, but please call me Brit! I am from Warwick, NY and graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2023 (GO HUSKIES)!!! I am a huge sports fan, as I played club softball at UCONN all 4 years, and LOVE the yankees, Ohio State football, and UCONN basketball (men’s and women’s). I had most of my animal experience with small animals before coming here and have since gotten a job at the Large Animal Hospital here. With that being said, I’m still trying to figure out what path I will end up going down, but right now, it’s looking like I will be mixed! When I am not studying, you can find me going on a walk, PADDLE BOARDING, enjoying the nice weather, trying new places to eat, binge watching netflix, or spending time with friends!
Natya Thirunagari
Hey everyone! My name is Natya; I'm a rising second year from Phoenix, Arizona. I graduated from the University of Arizona where I majored in Veterinary Sciences and minored in Biochemistry. I am interested in all things vet med, but I'm currently leaning towards pursuing a career in small animal specialty medicine or mixed animal general practice. At Cornell I'm involved with SAVMA, the VetED club, Student Ambassador program, and projects involving research and the MRC (Modular Resource Center). Outside of the vet school I love to throw pottery, thrift, watch movies, and try out new restaurants. I am so excited to get to know y'all!
Stephanie Welbaum
Hi everyone, my name is Stephanie and I am originally from Blacksburg, Virginia. I completed my undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences (concentrating in Animal Physiology) here at Cornell through the BS/DVM pathway. After spending time in undergrad working with wildlife and rehabilitating native species, I have decided instead to pursue a career in small animal medicine. Right now I am most interested in oncology and internal medicine, but am looking forward to exploring different specialties throughout my vet school journey. I am currently working in CUHA's small
animal ICU as a Nursing Care Assistant and am an officer for the Cornell Pet Loss Support Hotline. Coming from a mixed/bilingual background, I enjoy traveling to new places and learning about different cultures. In my free time, I like going to the Ithaca Farmers Market, watching sunsets at Stewart Park, hiking, and hammocking with my dog, Charlie. Whether you need food/boba recommendations, want to grab coffee before class, or just need to vent, feel free to reach out to me (srw232@cornell.edu) at any time. So excited to welcome you to Ithaca and Cornell CVM!
Katelyn Yockey
Hi everyone! I am originally from Fort Collins Colorado where I spent a lot of time outside hiking and biking. I then went to the University of Hawaii at Hilo for my undergrad. I studied environmental science and biomedical biology while there. I spent a lot of my time there working with low-cost clinics and working in conservation. My current interests in. Veterinary medicine is mostly focused on mixed animal, shelter medicine, and surgery. I currently work at the SPCA of Tompkins County where I get to explore my interests. I am the SAVMA 2027 class representative and will be the class of 2026 representative though the fall until you all vote for your class reps! I am on the executive boards for the shelter med club, surgery club, Feline club, the Vet Players theater club, and I have been involved in student milking. I am one of the directors for the Southside Healthy Pet student run clinic and really love getting to work with our community. Outside of classes I have really enjoyed being involved in the veterinary fraternity (OTS), working my way through the breweries and restaurants in Ithaca, and exploring the lake and waterfalls around the area.
Questions?
Reach out to us at vet_sas@cornell.edu