Julie Baumber-Skaife, MSc Equine Science

PhD student, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, then Director of Quality Assurance then Chief Scientist and currently Operations Manager for Select Breeders Services Inc. in the US

"I completed my MSc in Equine Science from the University of Wales Aberystwyth in 1999, after graduating with a degree in Physiology from the University of Sheffield in 1997. I continued my studies receiving a PhD in Comparative Pathology from UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, California in 2003. My research focused on oxidative stress in equine sperm. I then went on to complete a 3 year Post-Doctoral Fellowship at UC Davis investigating membrane physiology during cryopreservation of primate and equine sperm. For the last 7 years I have been based at Select Breeders Service Inc., in Maryland and currently enjoy a diverse role as Operations Manager. In a small company one can wear many hats and at SBS I am responsible for managing the Affiliate Network of SBS Laboratories, administering the Quality Control Program, maintaining the company website and overseeing the in house research program; as well as being closely involved in the day to day management of the comprehensive Equine Reproduction Center. I feel that the MSc in Equine Science was a key factor in her career development, I love my job! I would not be in my current position if it weren’t for the opportunity made available to me to work at UC Davis as part of the research project for my MSc. It was the beginning of an incredible journey where one opportunity lead to another. Although, I do have to say that I was also highly motivated and worked incredibly hard to get here - you have to be in order to be successful in the competitive job market today. I reflect fondly on my time at Aberystwyth and would recommend the MSc in Equine Science for anyone interested in pursuing a serious career in the equine industry."