A lifelong animal lover, Sarah Roberts ’25 felt that becoming a veterinarian was only natural. She grew up with that goal and chose Berry College for its strong major in animal science. Then, during her freshman year, she changed her mind.
At Berry, Sarah discovered the animal science field is bigger and more varied than she realized, and she began considering careers beyond the vet’s office. The Roswell, Georgia, native pivoted her focus to animal genetics, and she is already making an impact through her research, including a prestigious internship with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Next she will pursue a master’s degree in animal genetics at the University of Idaho.
Sarah credits Sunday Peters, an associate professor of animal science and mentor, with illuminating her path. His course on the genetics of domestic animals “just clicked,” she says. “I used to rework problems from lab for fun, and it quickly became my favorite class. Ever since then, I knew I wanted to work in genetics.”
Sarah didn’t have to wait long. Through LifeWorks, she earned a job on Peters’ research team, eventually becoming student leader on three projects. “We looked at where a specific gene sits within the animal’s DNA and how that affects traits such as reproductive success across dairy and beef cattle, sheep and goats,” Sarah explains. One of the studies is her personal research project, which generated results she presented at a Berry symposium and has submitted to a peer-reviewed scientific journal. Sarah also returned to Peters’ genetics class as a teaching assistant to share her knowledge and passion for the subject with first-year students.
“Dr. Peters has encouraged me to think independently as a scientist,” Sarah says. “Science requires many trial-and-error iterations, and developing those skills under his advisement sets me up for success in my future endeavors.”
Sarah points to her USDA summer internship as proof. Experience in Peters’ lab aided her in securing a spot at the USDA’s animal research lab in Nebraska. There, as a laboratory research assistant, she gained valuable interdisciplinary knowledge from renowned experts while making career connections. Peters calls the internship a “life-changing opportunity” for Sarah, who intends to work in animal genetics at the USDA or as a college professor.
What’s her advice for incoming students wanting to work with animals? “Be open to whatever comes your way,” Sarah says. Berry’s animal science major offers flexibility, with both a pre-vet track and the production/management track that Sarah chose.
While the two tracks share core classes, the production/management track also includes courses specializing in poultry, swine, equine and dairy/beef cattle management, she explains. A lot of hands-on learning takes place at Berry’s working farm, where students enjoy the rare opportunity to interact with and care for animals. “There is a whole world of possibilities within the animal science discipline,” Sarah says. “The best way to move forward in this major is to explore all [of them].”
