Position Title
Teaching Assistant Consultant
I’m Yael, a fourth-year PhD student in Animal Biology. I’m originally from Colombia, where I earned my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. My friends here sometimes call me “Yale,” since it is a little easier to pronounce.
As a veterinarian, I have always been particularly interested in newborn animals. Besides how cute they are, I find it fascinating how much appropriate care during the first days of life can influence their health. My current research focuses on early-life management in newborn dairy calves, particularly navel health and disease prevention.
My journey in teaching began in Colombia, in an equine teaching hospital, where I worked as a clinician and helped teach and mentor veterinary students. After coming to UC Davis, I began working as a TA for a systemic physiology laboratory. In this course, I help students apply physiological concepts through hands-on laboratory experiences, develop critical-thinking skills, interpret experimental results, and, for many of them, navigate some of their first scientific writing assignments. These experiences have strengthened my interest in teaching and motivated me to continue developing a more inclusive, transparent, and engaging teaching approach.
Outside of academia, I enjoy traveling and discovering new places, especially road trips with views of lakes, rivers, or the ocean. More recently, I have also been learning how to dive and exploring basic woodworking techniques.