Will Robinson

• Field and focus area of study: Animal Science, Animal Health
• Hometown: Daphne, AL
• Fun fact: I was a Division I swimmer all through my undergraduate experience
• What was your favorite place at Cornell: The Dairy Bar
• What are your interests and hobbies outside of schoolwork: Going to the gym, writing, and being with friends

What led you to apply to the CALS MPS program - what were you doing before grad school? 

I applied to the CALS MPS program directly following the completion of my undergraduate degree in biology. I knew that I wanted to pursue a doctoral program, but was caught between veterinary school and a PhD program. I saw the MPS program as a way to gain further insight into a new field while developing academic skills.

Why did you choose to pursue the CALS MPS degree?

I wanted to dive deeper into intensive coursework that had not been previously available to me, and develop myself into a stronger candidate for doctoral programs.

What are the strengths of the CALS MPS degree program? 

You gain a master’s degree by taking graduate coursework of your choosing and you develop your own project. These are extremely valuable to any field, especially when pursuing higher education. You’re in control of how you want your master’s degree to help you. 

What words would you use to describe the CALS MPS degree program? 

Rigorous, challenging, insightful, interdisciplinary

What courses were your favorite? Why?

Fundamentals of Endocrinology was extremely challenging, but very applicable in STEM fields. Immunology was also very rewarding–but those are the two courses I use most actively in my PhD. 

How has your MPS experience changed you, both personally and professionally? 

It made me into a strong applicant for doctoral programs. Cornell’s alumni system is very strong, so being involved in that connection is also very rewarding. This master’s degree teaches you how to manage your academics and professional life, and allows you to explore different possibilities in academia and in your future career.

Why are you interested in Animal Health? 

I’ve always loved animals. A lot of modern problems can be rooted back to animal health, given humans are also animals, and we consume animals. Paying attention to how we care for them and manage them is crucial for many reasons, including but not limited to: disease spread, bioaccumulation of compounds, overall ethics, and more. In this way, it is an extremely interdisciplinary field of study.

What has been the most memorable or impactful part of being in the Animal Science MPS program? 

Making some life-long best friends!

What Cornell / Animal Science MPS resources have been most helpful? 

My professors!

How has learning from faculty experts changed your perspective on Animal Health? 

As a graduate student, you are able to dive into more specific questions than you had before with a very capable and eager staff on hand at Cornell. 

Share about your capstone project. What are you focused on? Why do you believe your capstone project is important? How do you hope it will be used by others?

I developed a biosecurity protocol for horse farms in New York State, which had not been previously available. This acts as a resource for horse owners in New York State, and it provides guidance on disease transmission, prevention, and mitigation. Many previous resources include scientific articles and veterinary associations that may not be accessible to many individuals. The goal of this project was to compile those resources for easy access and understanding for horse owners in New York State.