Leena Daghri

Coordinating a webinar for pre-veterinary students to promote debt‑relief programs and financial incentives available to large‑animal veterinarians. Collaborating with industry partners and faculty to increase awareness of workforce sustainability initiatives. Developing communication materials and outreach strategies to engage veterinary students and professionals.

Independent Study – Large-Animal Veterinary Workforce Development at Texas State University (2026-08 – 2026-12)

• Coordinating a webinar for pre-veterinary students to promote debt‑relief programs and financial incentives available to large‑animal veterinarians.
• Collaborating with industry partners and faculty to increase awareness of workforce sustainability initiatives.
• Developing communication materials and outreach strategies to engage veterinary students and professionals.
• Presenting outcomes and resources to support recruitment and retention in large‑animal practices.

Research Intern – Equine Reproduction at Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky (2026-06 – 2026-08)

• Assisted theriogenology veterinarians in reproductive research focused on early embryo loss and cervical remodeling.
• Performed rectal palpation, artificial insemination, embryo collection, semen collection, semen analysis, and reproductive ultrasonography on mares.
• Administered intravenous and intramuscular medications.
• Analyzed data for a study examining cervical changes between estrus and diestrus, performed immunohistochemistry, and serve as first author of a manuscript currently in development.
• Managed blood sample collection, blood processing, data organization, and laboratory procedures while maintaining high standards of animal welfare and research integrity.
• Adapted quickly to new laboratory techniques and contributed to collaborative research discussions with graduate students, vet students, and faculty.

Undergraduate Research Assistant at Texas State University (2025-10 – 2026-05)

• Conducted USDA-funded microbiology research under the LEADING program, analyzed gut microbial populations in transported Santa Gertrudis show cattle, and evaluated probiotics as a mitigation strategy for dysbiosis.
• Performed DNA extractions from fecal samples and conducted bioinformatics using the QIIME pipeline through PowerShell.
• Presented research findings at four symposiums and conferences to students, faculty, and industry professionals.
• Successfully wrote an honors thesis manuscript accepted in the Texas State Vireo Digital Library.

Veterinary Technician Assistant at Animal Medical Center (2025-09 – Present)

• Monitors vital signs and health of small animals under anesthesia during surgical procedures.
• Assists in performing radiographs and ultrasounds on feline and canine patients.
• Supports veterinarians in surgical preparation through scrubbing in for emergency procedures and monitors animals during postoperative recovery.
• Oversees outpatient appointments and communicates directly with clients regarding surgery follow-ups, laser treatments, and vaccinations.
• Maintains clinic cleanliness and smooth operations by running autoclaves, cleaning surgical instruments, preparing surgery packs, and restocking supplies.
• Assists veterinarians and technicians with daily appointments through restraint, vaccination administration, subcutaneous fluid administration, record-keeping, and other clinical tasks as needed to ensure efficient patient care.

Extern at Waller Equine Hospital (2025-07 – 2025-08)

• Assisted veterinarians and technicians during musculoskeletal, umbilical hernia, and colic surgeries.
• Supported radiographic procedures and applied IV fluids to equine patients.
• Walked, observed, and administered topical and oral medications to hospitalized horses.
• Participated in lameness exams, dental floats, foot abscess treatments, rectal impaction management, colic tubing, and cancer therapy.
• Participated in ultrasound imaging of the lungs and endoscopic evaluation of gastric ulcers.
• Maintained treatment plan organization, stall cleanliness, and overall patient care coordination.

Extern at Fredericksburg Equine and Small Animal Veterinary Services (2024-05 – 2024-05)

• Assisted veterinary technicians during sheath cleanings and dental floats.
• Performed intravenous and intramuscular injections on horses.
• Monitored hospitalized small-animal patients overnight to ensure stability and comfort.
• Shadowed small animal veterinarians during enucleation and amputation surgeries.
• Coordinated with veterinary technicians in managing poison ingestion cases and rattlesnake envenomation.
• Supported Dr. Matt Moskosky and Dr. Kelsey Duarte during artificial inseminations on mares and various farm calls for lameness evaluations and routine checkups.

Lead Student Worker at Texas State University Police Department Mounted Patrol Unit (2024-01 – Present)

• Tends to mounted patrol horses through grooming, hoof care, feeding, and daily health assessments.
• Assists Corporals in mounted police training sessions and conditioning exercises.
• Trains new staff members on proper horse handling, feeding routines, and general equine care practices.
• Maintains barn and arena facilities through cleaning, organization, and routine upkeep projects.
• Supports team operations by ensuring equipment readiness, coordinating feed schedules, and monitoring horse behavior and welfare.

Extern at Briarcrest Veterinary Clinic (2023-12 – 2024-01)

• Coordinated with veterinary technicians in drawing blood from the jugular and cephalic veins.
• Performed subcutaneous injections on canine and feline patients.
• Placed intravenous catheters during pre‑surgical preparation and monitored dogs during postoperative recovery.
• Supported veterinarians during appointments by preparing patients, assisting with examinations, and maintaining accurate medical records.
• Shadowed exotic‑animal procedures including snake and rabbit surgeries; monitored tortoises and assisted in restraining reticulated pythons.

Extern at Austin Equine Associates (2023-12 – 2023-12)

• Supported the barn staff with feeding, cleaning stalls and paddocks, grooming, and lunging patients.
• Shadowed neurological, lameness, and eye appointments.
• Administered medications via syringe, topically, and orally in horses.

Swim Teacher at Goldfish Swim School (2023-01 – 2023-08)

• Trained new employees in child safety protocols and lesson procedures.
• Taught children ages 2–14 proper swimming technique and water-safety skills.

Extern at Briarcrest Veterinary Clinic (2022-06 – 2022-08)

• Collected and analyzed blood samples from canine patients.
• Performed new clinical skills, including temperature measurement and fecal sample collection from canines and felines while assisting veterinarians and technicians during appointments.
• Analyzed fecal and cytology samples for parasitic identification and diagnostic evaluation.

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture; Animal Science (pre-veterinary concentration) – Texas State University (2026-12)