By Katrina Hageman
Brooklyn Elwood, a senior in microbiology, has focused on making a difference within the agriculture industry, both inside and outside of the classroom. Coming to Iowa State University as a biology student, Elwood quickly discovered a new pathway in the microbiology program that aligned with her passion and career goals.
“Switching to the microbiology major was the best decision for me because of the alignment with prerequisite classes to get into vet school, as well as the lab and research work that has helped me get jobs and be confident with the skills I will bring into my future career,” Elwood said. “The microbiology classes are broad enough to learn about many areas but narrow enough to learn specific information that is important in this field of work.”
As a CALS Ambassador, Elwood was the CALS Advantage Day committee chair. She also was on the microbiology program social committee and the Department of Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology social committee.
“My goal while serving on numerous committees was to recognize more majors within CALS and plan events that included more life science students,” Elwood said. “While serving as the CALS Advantage Day committee chair, I worked with other leaders to plan tours of the microbiology, animal ecology, natural resource ecology and management, and food science majors to promote life science areas of study to potential students.”
Kaci Conetzkey, student services specialist and CALS Ambassador advisor, said Elwood has worked hard to bring CALS together and create an environment that lifts up and highlights majors on both the agriculture and the life sciences sides of the college.
“From the moment Brooklyn was elected on the CALS Ambassadors leadership team, she made it an initiative to make sure all majors, including life sciences, were represented at various events,” Conetzkey said. “Her passion and outreach were instrumental as we looked at all our events throughout the year, especially the CALS Advantage Day, and made sure tours and informational sessions were being offered so prospective students could learn more about these majors and how to pursue them at Iowa State.”
Hands-on experience has also been a significant part of Elwood’s time on campus. She has worked in a research lab, volunteered at a horse barn that offers therapeutic services to children with special needs, and served as a vet assistant at two vet clinics.
Through a scholarship, Elwood has been working with the United States Department of Agriculture as a student researcher, conducting research about sheep, taking samples and sending results to labs.
“Brooklyn brings contagious energy and genuine passion to everything she does. Her enthusiasm, leadership and dedication to microbiology have made a lasting impact on our program and everyone lucky enough to work with her,” said Claudia Lemper-Manahl, associate teaching professor of microbiology. “Brooklyn launched our first ever lab tours for visiting students, helping showcase laboratory sciences in our college to prospective students. Whether she’s sharing her exciting research or walking in the halls with a smile, Brooklyn is just getting started, and I can’t wait to see where her bright future takes her.”
After graduating this spring, Elwood will continue her internship with the USDA while attending the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. After vet school, Elwood plans to continue working for the USDA.