February 27, 2024 • 11 mins
Chancellor May chats with pre-vet med student Orli Algranatti in this episode. Orli is a fourth-year animal science major who is passionate about helping animals. The two discuss the value of mentorship and undergraduate research opportunities and discover a shared love of travel.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:02):
Hi, everyone.
Welcome to “Face to Face,” a UC Davis podcast
featuring students, staff and faculty innovators.
I’m your host, Chancellor Gary May.
Stay tuned for my next guest.
Hi, my name is Orli Algranatti.
And I’m originally from Miami,
(00:23):
Florida. I have held a deep passion
for saving the lives of animals
since childhood.
In 2020, I moved to UC Davis
to pursue my enthusiasm for
veterinary medicine.
One of my primary goals was to
engage in various clubs,
organizations and research
opportunities to observe
all the experiences that Davis has
to offer.
(00:44):
My passion for the veterinary
profession, particularly in aiding
animals in need, is unparalleled and
is complemented by my deep affection
for our campus community.
Hi, Orli. Welcome to “Face to Face.”
Happy to be here today.
I’m glad you’re here.
And we’re really happy to have a
student from our top-ranked animal
science program here with us to
share some of your experiences.
(01:05):
And speaking of which,
during your time here at UC Davis
as an animal science major, can you
tell us about some of your more
valuable experiences that you’ve
had?
Yeah, some valuable experiences that
I’ve had was definitely becoming
president of the Vet Aide Club for
now two years.
And this leaves me the opportunity
to mentor my students,
my members, as well
(01:26):
as been a part of many research
opportunities on campus,
at the vet school.
So I just want to show the world how
amazing the research
opportunities that we have at UC
Davis are.
Well, thank you so much for the
mentoring. That’s so important.
I say this to everybody who’ll
listen to me (01:42):
mentoring, being a
mentor, having a mentor — really
important.
Tell me about those experiences both
inside and outside the classrooms
and laboratories and how they’ve
prepared you for your future career
in veterinary medicine.
Yeah, I think I really value the
mentorship aspect of things,
especially communication and
networking.
So being able to become president
(02:03):
of this club and showing my members
the same opportunities that I’ve had
in the past and just leading them to
success has been super valuable
for me, as well as the research
aspects. I was
able to go out of my comfort zone,
especially from moving across
the states and coming here
and just opening myself to new
opportunities, because you never
(02:23):
know where new opportunities could
lead you to.
That’s exactly right.
And given all that, what
advice would you give to a younger
student who wants to follow in your
footsteps?
And, how do you
tell people how to stay motivated?
How do you stay motivated?
That’s a great question.
I ask myself the same thing every
day.
I would tell a mentoree or
(02:45):
someone who I want to influence
in the future
— would be, definitely
say something like:
Just keep your head up high.
I know some times can get tough,
but just move forward
and try new things, because you
never know. You can’t say, I don’t
like something unless you try it.
And really put your foot
forward and just take
(03:06):
a new step.
Take a risk.
Take a risk. Yeah.
Take a risk at it.
Yeah. And then you may find out
something that’s really fulfilling
for your career or for your life.... Exactly. ...
Now, I understand you worked as a
research assistant, undergraduate
research assistant in some of the
labs.
Tell me about that and what unique
opportunities that has provided for
you as a researcher.
Yeah. Before coming to Davis, I
never really had any research
(03:27):
opportunities.
And I thought that Davis would be
the number one place to try some
research out.
And that’s what I did.
I got in contact with
a PI here during my first
quarter at Davis as a freshman
during COVID, so that was definitely
difficult to do.
But I was able to do that and get my
foot in the door.
And just being able to do
(03:48):
toxicology research — and now that
I’m doing glioblastomas
for human research as well —
has been super amazing and has
motivated me to continue doing
research as well as presenting at
really big conferences and just
trying to spread the word about what
my research is trying to get
toward.
And hopefully we can save some
lives.
That’s going to be a really valuable
(04:08):
experience for your graduate career
and your professional career.
So I applaud that.
We like all of our students to try
to get involved in undergraduate
research if they can.
You’ve also been involved in many
clubs and organizations on campus.
How do you think those experiences
have enhanced your time here at
Davis?
Yeah, I was able to make lifelong
friends throughout those times.
I was able to practice my leadership
skills as well, trying to lead
(04:29):
a team of like 20 or 30 officers
at a time, trying to
communicate with people as well —
and not only focusing on my pre-vet
side but as well as my communication
side, my business side
as well.
Especially minoring in that really
helped me to put two and two
together.
And I was just really fortunate
(04:49):
about doing all of this, and trying
to combine all of them, and seeing
what the future holds.
Yeah. Just gives you a more holistic
and well-rounded undergraduate
experience. So that’s really, really
great. Now eventually you’re going
to graduate. ... Yeah.
... And you’re going to go into the
real world and have a real job and
all those sorts of things.
What is your dream job after your
education is over?
Oh, that’s a good question.
I really love research.
(05:10):
And I really love veterinary
medicine as well.
So I hope that one day I could put
two and two together and
hopefully do a DVM/Ph.D.
program in Davis or wherever
life leads me to.
But I just want to continue this
process that I already started.
OK. Well, we wish you the best of
luck with that. ... Thank you.
... I want to switch gears a bit.
(05:30):
We have a segment of the “Face to
Face” show we call “Hot Seat.” ...
Yeah. ... You’re on the hot seat.
And what that means is, I’m going to
ask you some rapid-fire questions,
and we’re looking for a one-word or
one-sentence type of answer.
... Perfect. ... You ready?
... Ready. ... OK, here we go.
Favorite animal?
Oh. Dogs.
Dogs. OK.
Who is your biggest inspiration?
(05:50):
Oh, gosh.
I would say
my mentors back home.
I think that they sacrificed so
much for them to
be where they are today.
And they taught me so much, and
they guided me throughout this whole
path of being a pre-vet
student and hopefully one day a
veterinary student.
And, just — they’ve been teaching
(06:11):
me since day one how to be
myself here and how to continue
growing.
Yeah. So once again, mentoring ...
Yes. ... so important, so important.
Best thing about UC Davis?
Oh my gosh.
I would say that the best thing
about UC Davis is definitely their
research programs.
They really value the student, and
they really want you to succeed in
the future.
That’s a great answer, and I agree.
(06:32):
Thank you. Yeah.
What’s your favorite place to go for
vacation?
Oh, I’m a really big traveler, so
I traveled around all of Europe.
So I would definitely say Iceland,
because they do have a lot of
animals out there as well.
And the nature is just so
gorgeous. And I love riding
horses as well.
So there’s a really great place to
ride horses, and everything
(06:53):
is untouched. So everything is
super natural, and
it’s just beautiful to be there.
I have never been to Iceland, but I
have heard many people recommend it
to my wife and I to go because it’s
somewhat misnamed, right?
... Yes. ... Because it’s calledIceland,
but it’s actually fairly warm on the
island. ... Yeah. ...
And it’s a very nice environment
there.
OK, last question.
I ask all my guests this, because I
(07:13):
like to know these things.
What’s at the top of your playlist
right now?
Oh, I love Spanish music.
So my mom is originally
from Ecuador and my dad is from
Argentina, so I listen to a
lot of Spanish music.
I love the rhythm.
I love the mood that it puts me
into. It’s always a good mood.
I’m a really positive person, in
general, so just having that
(07:34):
playlist when I’m going to class or
when I’m doing research really just
gets me back in the mood and making
me happy all the time.
OK, that’s another place I’d like to
go is Galapagos, Ecuador.
... Yes, yes.
... So, now your turn.
You can ask me any questions you
like.
Yes. I was going to ask you — since
I’m an out-of-state student, I was
just wondering, how do you think
that the out-of-state
(07:56):
tuition would be stabilized,
especially with California support?
So, I don’t know if
any tuition is ever stabilized.
And I have to give this disclaimer
that tuition is controlled
by a vote of the Board of Regents.
So I’m not involved.
So just in case people are
wondering.
But, the reason why out-of-state
tuition is higher is because
(08:17):
California residents pay state
taxes in California.
So, I
think there’s some
understanding that students that
have come from other states should
pay a little bit more.
And we really just try to have the
expenses match
the costs.
So, when
things go up for us — materials and
(08:38):
supplies, utilities, etc.,
salaries for the professors,
classrooms, laboratories, facilities
— we have to
cover that. And one of the ways we
do that is through tuition, and we
expect the out-of-state students to
cover their fair share, which is a
little bit more than in-state
students because of the California
tax situation.
But we try to be fair.
I know it doesn’t seem like that
(08:59):
from the student perspective or the
parent perspective, but we try to be
fair.
Yeah. And I really value the
scholarships that Davis offers
as well for the out-of-state
students.
I think that really helps trying to
stabilize.
We’re trying to have you have an
educational experience that
transforms your life.
So you can’t do that if we charge
too much money.
That’s true. That’s true.
And my second question would be,
(09:20):
how do you foresee or do you foresee
any requirements for
undergraduates to be able to
participate in research
opportunities before graduation?
You know, that’s a great question,
too. I don’t know that we’ll ever
require it and make it mandatory,
but we do strongly encourage it.
I think, as you’ve described in your
experience, it makes your
time at UC Davis that much more
(09:41):
meaningful.
And you kind of understand why your
classroom learning — how it’s
applied and why you’re learning what
you’re learning in the classroom and
then prepares you for either
graduate school or professional
experience.
So, we will continue to
strongly encourage it.
We’re very proud of the fact that
a large number of UC Davis students
have an experience as an
undergraduate doing research and
(10:02):
think we’ll continue along those
lines.
Yeah, that sounds great because I
got my best opportunities
doing the research
projects that I’ve been involved in,
as well as, like you mentioned
before, being able to not only
learn in the in-class
basis but as well as putting
it into action —
from everything that I’ve learned in
my lectures and then applying it to
(10:24):
research that same day
— really helps put things together
and make me a stronger student
in the future as well.
I can testify to that as well.
I was once an undergraduate
researcher way back when the Earth
was cooling, and I was an undergrad.
It’s been great having you here,
Orli, and talking with you.
I really enjoyed hearing about your
time here at Davis and looking
(10:45):
forward to what the future is going
to bring for you. Best of luck in
those future endeavors.
Thanks to everyone for listening.
Tune in next time on “Face to Face.”
Go, Ags!
Hi, everyone.
Welcome to “Face to Face,” a UC Davis podcast
featuring students, staff and faculty innovators.
I’m your host, Chancellor Gary May.
Stay tuned for my next guest.
Hi, my name is Orli Algranatti.
And I’m originally from Miami,
(00:23):
Florida. I have held a deep passion
for saving the lives of animals
since childhood.
In 2020, I moved to UC Davis
to pursue my enthusiasm for
veterinary medicine.
One of my primary goals was to
engage in various clubs,
organizations and research
opportunities to observe
all the experiences that Davis has
to offer.
(00:44):
My passion for the veterinary
profession, particularly in aiding
animals in need, is unparalleled and
is complemented by my deep affection
for our campus community.
Hi, Orli. Welcome to “Face to Face.”
Happy to be here today.
I’m glad you’re here.
And we’re really happy to have a
student from our top-ranked animal
science program here with us to
share some of your experiences.
(01:05):
And speaking of which,
during your time here at UC Davis
as an animal science major, can you
tell us about some of your more
valuable experiences that you’ve
had?
Yeah, some valuable experiences that
I’ve had was definitely becoming
president of the Vet Aide Club for
now two years.
And this leaves me the opportunity
to mentor my students,
my members, as well
(01:26):
as been a part of many research
opportunities on campus,
at the vet school.
So I just want to show the world how
amazing the research
opportunities that we have at UC
Davis are.
Well, thank you so much for the
mentoring. That’s so important.
I say this to everybody who’ll
listen to me (01:42):
mentoring, being a
mentor, having a mentor — really
important.
Tell me about those experiences both
inside and outside the classrooms
and laboratories and how they’ve
prepared you for your future career
in veterinary medicine.
Yeah, I think I really value the
mentorship aspect of things,
especially communication and
networking.
So being able to become president
(02:03):
of this club and showing my members
the same opportunities that I’ve had
in the past and just leading them to
success has been super valuable
for me, as well as the research
aspects. I was
able to go out of my comfort zone,
especially from moving across
the states and coming here
and just opening myself to new
opportunities, because you never
(02:23):
know where new opportunities could
lead you to.
That’s exactly right.
And given all that, what
advice would you give to a younger
student who wants to follow in your
footsteps?
And, how do you
tell people how to stay motivated?
How do you stay motivated?
That’s a great question.
I ask myself the same thing every
day.
I would tell a mentoree or
(02:45):
someone who I want to influence
in the future
— would be, definitely
say something like:
Just keep your head up high.
I know some times can get tough,
but just move forward
and try new things, because you
never know. You can’t say, I don’t
like something unless you try it.
And really put your foot
forward and just take
(03:06):
a new step.
Take a risk.
Take a risk. Yeah.
Take a risk at it.
Yeah. And then you may find out
something that’s really fulfilling
for your career or for your life.... Exactly. ...
Now, I understand you worked as a
research assistant, undergraduate
research assistant in some of the
labs.
Tell me about that and what unique
opportunities that has provided for
you as a researcher.
Yeah. Before coming to Davis, I
never really had any research
(03:27):
opportunities.
And I thought that Davis would be
the number one place to try some
research out.
And that’s what I did.
I got in contact with
a PI here during my first
quarter at Davis as a freshman
during COVID, so that was definitely
difficult to do.
But I was able to do that and get my
foot in the door.
And just being able to do
(03:48):
toxicology research — and now that
I’m doing glioblastomas
for human research as well —
has been super amazing and has
motivated me to continue doing
research as well as presenting at
really big conferences and just
trying to spread the word about what
my research is trying to get
toward.
And hopefully we can save some
lives.
That’s going to be a really valuable
(04:08):
experience for your graduate career
and your professional career.
So I applaud that.
We like all of our students to try
to get involved in undergraduate
research if they can.
You’ve also been involved in many
clubs and organizations on campus.
How do you think those experiences
have enhanced your time here at
Davis?
Yeah, I was able to make lifelong
friends throughout those times.
I was able to practice my leadership
skills as well, trying to lead
(04:29):
a team of like 20 or 30 officers
at a time, trying to
communicate with people as well —
and not only focusing on my pre-vet
side but as well as my communication
side, my business side
as well.
Especially minoring in that really
helped me to put two and two
together.
And I was just really fortunate
(04:49):
about doing all of this, and trying
to combine all of them, and seeing
what the future holds.
Yeah. Just gives you a more holistic
and well-rounded undergraduate
experience. So that’s really, really
great. Now eventually you’re going
to graduate. ... Yeah.
... And you’re going to go into the
real world and have a real job and
all those sorts of things.
What is your dream job after your
education is over?
Oh, that’s a good question.
I really love research.
(05:10):
And I really love veterinary
medicine as well.
So I hope that one day I could put
two and two together and
hopefully do a DVM/Ph.D.
program in Davis or wherever
life leads me to.
But I just want to continue this
process that I already started.
OK. Well, we wish you the best of
luck with that. ... Thank you.
... I want to switch gears a bit.
(05:30):
We have a segment of the “Face to
Face” show we call “Hot Seat.” ...
Yeah. ... You’re on the hot seat.
And what that means is, I’m going to
ask you some rapid-fire questions,
and we’re looking for a one-word or
one-sentence type of answer.
... Perfect. ... You ready?
... Ready. ... OK, here we go.
Favorite animal?
Oh. Dogs.
Dogs. OK.
Who is your biggest inspiration?
(05:50):
Oh, gosh.
I would say
my mentors back home.
I think that they sacrificed so
much for them to
be where they are today.
And they taught me so much, and
they guided me throughout this whole
path of being a pre-vet
student and hopefully one day a
veterinary student.
And, just — they’ve been teaching
(06:11):
me since day one how to be
myself here and how to continue
growing.
Yeah. So once again, mentoring ...
Yes. ... so important, so important.
Best thing about UC Davis?
Oh my gosh.
I would say that the best thing
about UC Davis is definitely their
research programs.
They really value the student, and
they really want you to succeed in
the future.
That’s a great answer, and I agree.
(06:32):
Thank you. Yeah.
What’s your favorite place to go for
vacation?
Oh, I’m a really big traveler, so
I traveled around all of Europe.
So I would definitely say Iceland,
because they do have a lot of
animals out there as well.
And the nature is just so
gorgeous. And I love riding
horses as well.
So there’s a really great place to
ride horses, and everything
(06:53):
is untouched. So everything is
super natural, and
it’s just beautiful to be there.
I have never been to Iceland, but I
have heard many people recommend it
to my wife and I to go because it’s
somewhat misnamed, right?
... Yes. ... Because it’s calledIceland,
but it’s actually fairly warm on the
island. ... Yeah. ...
And it’s a very nice environment
there.
OK, last question.
I ask all my guests this, because I
(07:13):
like to know these things.
What’s at the top of your playlist
right now?
Oh, I love Spanish music.
So my mom is originally
from Ecuador and my dad is from
Argentina, so I listen to a
lot of Spanish music.
I love the rhythm.
I love the mood that it puts me
into. It’s always a good mood.
I’m a really positive person, in
general, so just having that
(07:34):
playlist when I’m going to class or
when I’m doing research really just
gets me back in the mood and making
me happy all the time.
OK, that’s another place I’d like to
go is Galapagos, Ecuador.
... Yes, yes.
... So, now your turn.
You can ask me any questions you
like.
Yes. I was going to ask you — since
I’m an out-of-state student, I was
just wondering, how do you think
that the out-of-state
(07:56):
tuition would be stabilized,
especially with California support?
So, I don’t know if
any tuition is ever stabilized.
And I have to give this disclaimer
that tuition is controlled
by a vote of the Board of Regents.
So I’m not involved.
So just in case people are
wondering.
But, the reason why out-of-state
tuition is higher is because
(08:17):
California residents pay state
taxes in California.
So, I
think there’s some
understanding that students that
have come from other states should
pay a little bit more.
And we really just try to have the
expenses match
the costs.
So, when
things go up for us — materials and
(08:38):
supplies, utilities, etc.,
salaries for the professors,
classrooms, laboratories, facilities
— we have to
cover that. And one of the ways we
do that is through tuition, and we
expect the out-of-state students to
cover their fair share, which is a
little bit more than in-state
students because of the California
tax situation.
But we try to be fair.
I know it doesn’t seem like that
(08:59):
from the student perspective or the
parent perspective, but we try to be
fair.
Yeah. And I really value the
scholarships that Davis offers
as well for the out-of-state
students.
I think that really helps trying to
stabilize.
We’re trying to have you have an
educational experience that
transforms your life.
So you can’t do that if we charge
too much money.
That’s true. That’s true.
And my second question would be,
(09:20):
how do you foresee or do you foresee
any requirements for
undergraduates to be able to
participate in research
opportunities before graduation?
You know, that’s a great question,
too. I don’t know that we’ll ever
require it and make it mandatory,
but we do strongly encourage it.
I think, as you’ve described in your
experience, it makes your
time at UC Davis that much more
(09:41):
meaningful.
And you kind of understand why your
classroom learning — how it’s
applied and why you’re learning what
you’re learning in the classroom and
then prepares you for either
graduate school or professional
experience.
So, we will continue to
strongly encourage it.
We’re very proud of the fact that
a large number of UC Davis students
have an experience as an
undergraduate doing research and
(10:02):
think we’ll continue along those
lines.
Yeah, that sounds great because I
got my best opportunities
doing the research
projects that I’ve been involved in,
as well as, like you mentioned
before, being able to not only
learn in the in-class
basis but as well as putting
it into action —
from everything that I’ve learned in
my lectures and then applying it to
(10:24):
research that same day
— really helps put things together
and make me a stronger student
in the future as well.
I can testify to that as well.
I was once an undergraduate
researcher way back when the Earth
was cooling, and I was an undergrad.
It’s been great having you here,
Orli, and talking with you.
I really enjoyed hearing about your
time here at Davis and looking
(10:45):
forward to what the future is going
to bring for you. Best of luck in
those future endeavors.
Thanks to everyone for listening.
Tune in next time on “Face to Face.”
Go, Ags!
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