Tell us about your career from when you graduated college up to this point:
I received my B.S. in Small Animal Science in 2018 from Delaware Valley University. I then attended veterinary school at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign from 2018-2022. During my clinical year, I was fortunate to extern at the Brevard Zoo, Oklahoma City Zoo, Brookfield Zoo, and Philadelphia Zoo, which advanced my clinical skills and medical knowledge within the field of zoological medicine. Since graduating veterinary school, I have been working on multiple research projects pertaining to herpetological medicine.
Why did you choose this profession?
Animal health and well-being, education, and the conservation of species are the cardinal reasons why I chose to become a member of the veterinary profession. I'm especially interested in utilizing my veterinary training to contribute to the conservation of reptile and amphibian species.
What are your personal hobbies and interests?
Basketball, football, hiking, herping, video games (Gotta catch 'em all!), and taking care of all my plants.
Which veterinary school did you attend?
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College of Veterinary Medicine
2018-2022
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Please tell us about your work history in the veterinary field:
University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine
Wildlife Epidemiology Laboratory
Research Fellow
December 2018 - May 2022
• Implement research projects pertaining to reptile medicine and disease for wild and captive populations
• Perform daily husbandry and care for various species including: prehensile tailed skinks, bearded dragons, cockatiels, various chelonians, and various venomous and non-venomous snakes
• Perform DNA extractions and manual complete blood cells counts
What are some of your favorite things about veterinary care?
One of my favorite aspects of veterinary medicine is the high level of collaboration and teamwork utilized to ensure each patient is getting the best care possible.
Industry organizations where you are a member or hold a position:
Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians
Studies published:
1. “Comparing the Effects of LH and EDTA on Hematologic Values in Prairie Rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis) and Lake Erie Watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon insularum).” Durante K, Adamovicz LA, Haynes E, Schnelle AN, Allender MC. (DOI:10.1638/2023-0001) Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine (2024) 54(4): 817-824
2. “Systemic Nannizziopsis arthrosporioides in an African Side-neck Turtle (Pelomedusa subrufa)” Durante K, Sheldon JD, Adamovicz LA, Roady PJ, Keller KA. (DOI:10.5818/JHMS-D-22-00023) Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery (2023) 33(4): 223-228
3. “Investigating the Impact of Group Holding on the Transfer of Ophidiomyces ophidiicola DNA in Free-Ranging Lake Erie Watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon insularum).” Durante K, Haynes E, Vivirito K, Standford K, Allender MC. (DOI: 10.7589/JWD-D-21-00010) Journal of Wildlife Diseases (2021) 57(4): 980–982
4. “Nannizziopsis guarroi has prolonged environmental persistence of clinically relevant substrates.” Keller KA, Durante K, Foltin E, Cerreta AJ. (DOI/10.2460/javma.22.12.0575) Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (2023) 261(1): S109-S113
5. “Hematology of Wild Lake Erie Watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon insularum) with Natural Ophidiomycosis.” Gartlan B, Haynes E, Vivirito K, Durante K, Wright A, Stanford K, Allender MC. (DOI: 10.5818/JHMS-S-20-00008) Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery (2021) 31(3): 211-219
6. “Environmental temperature influences ophidiomycosis progression and survival in experimentally challgned prairie rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis)” Kendall MW, Wright AD, Adamovicz LA, Durante K, Andersson KE, Fredrickson K, Vivirito K, Ospina EA, Delaney MA, Allender MC. (DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0289641) PLoS ONE (2023) 18(8): e0289641
7. “Ultraviolet Fluorescence as a Field-applicable Screening Tool for Lesions Consistent with Ophidiomycosis in Lake Erie Watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon insularum)” Vivirito K, Haynes E, Adamovicz LA, Wright A, Durante K, Stanford, Scott E, Allender MC. (DOI: 10.7589/JWD-D-20-00013) Journal of Wildlife Diseases (2021) 57(2): 380–385
8. “Epidemiology of Ophidiomycosis in Lake Erie Watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon insularum).” Haynes E, Stanford K, Gramhofer M, Vivirito K, Durante K, Wright A, Varga C, Allender MC. (DOI: 10.7589/JWD-D-21-00111) Journal of Wildlife Diseases (2022) 58(1): 100–113
9. “Controlled Clinical Trial using Terbinafine Nebulization to Treat Wild Lake Erie Watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon insularum) with Natural Ophidiomycosis” Haynes E, Stanford K, Cox S, Vivirito K, Durante K, Wright A, Gramhofer M, Pohly A, Gartlan B, Fredrickson K, Allender MC. (DOI:10.1638/2023-0050) Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine (2024) 54(4): 746-756
10. “Comparison of hematologic differences with LH and EDTA in European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris)” Vincent LM, Allender MC, Talley A, Davidson A, Roy L, Durante K, Waligora W, Sander SJ, McEntire M, Schnelle AN. (DOI:10.1638/2022-0165) Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine (2023) 54(3): 538-544
Awards received:
Illinois Reptile and Amphibian Medicine Scholarship recipient (2020-2021)