UK student turns childhood dream into veterinary career

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 15, 2026) — For as long as she can remember, Malena Hughes has wanted to become a veterinarian. Born and raised in Barren County, Kentucky, Hughes grew up on her family’s cow-calf operation, where she established a love for agriculture that led to her passion for veterinary medicine.

Throughout high school, Hughes immersed herself in opportunities to explore the field. She attended veterinary camps at Auburn University, North Carolina State University, Mississippi State University and Clemson University. She also participated in the University of Kentucky Pre-Vet Experience Day and took lead during a parasitology rotation for high school students to learn and practice using microscopes at the Pre-Vet Experience Day 2026.

Now, a UK senior majoring in animal sciences with minors in biology and microbiology, Hughes prepares to make her dream of becoming a veterinary pathologist come true.

“I can’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t want to be a vet,” Hughes said.

Discovering her passion

After touring UK during her sophomore year of high school, she discovered all the resources and opportunities the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFE) had to offer.

Once on campus, Hughes immersed herself in student life, attending K Week, Campus Ruckus and the Martin-Gatton CAFE involvement fair. Through those early experiences, she joined the Pre-Vet Club and Block and Bridle, later stepping into leadership roles within both organizations. She also participated in the Community Scholars Living Learning Program through the Lewis Honors College and was selected as a Singletary Scholar.

As a Singletary Scholar, Hughes went on a tour led by ambassadors and Wayne Centers, Martin-Gatton CAFE director of student relations. Hughes’ connection with Centers and the students was the deciding factor in her choice to pursue animal sciences.

“That day with those ambassadors and being here in the college, really helped me feel how much of a community there was, and that really affirmed my choice. This experience inspired me to want to help give this experience to other people,” Hughes said.

At the end of her freshman year, she applied to become a Martin-Gatton CAFE Student Ambassador and took on this role during her sophomore year.

Hughes has gained hands-on experience in multiple clinical and research settings. As a UK Chellgren Center Fellow in Martin Nielson’s, D.V.M., Ph.D., lab at Gluck Equine Hospital, she studied equine tapeworms with the goal of improving diagnostic methods. She also worked at the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, where she served as a necropsy technician.

“I feel like UK has been really supportive in helping me achieve all of these goals and opportunities,” Hughes said. “Especially the Pre-Vet Mentoring, they have been so helpful in practice interviews, and I could not have done it without them.”

The Pre-Veterinary Mentoring program serves as a resource for UK students applying to veterinary school. Students can find resources to strengthen applications, mentors, access to job and volunteer opportunities and mock interview preparation.

“Malena embodies the initiative, integrity, and balance that support success as a pre-veterinary student,” said Amber McNamara, D.V.M., director of the Pre-Veterinary Mentoring Program at Martin-Gatton CAFE. “She is committed to giving back to the veterinary community and has served as a welcoming resource for younger students exploring veterinary medicine. As a mentor, she is a pleasure to work with; her preparation, organization and dedication will serve her well in veterinary school and throughout her professional career.”

Hughes will be attending Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine in Fall 2026.

Learn more about the Pre-Veterinary Mentoring Program, a service to assist UK students through the veterinary school preparation process.