Zachary Lewis ’22 receives Fulbright Royal Veterinary College Award

Zachary Lewis ’22 has received the 2024–25 Fulbright Royal Veterinary College Award, which covers the first year of any master’s or doctoral degree program offered by the Royal Veterinary College in London, England. With his Fulbright award, Lewis will complete a master’s in wild animal biology at the College.

Founded in 1791, the Royal Veterinary College was the first veterinary school in the UK, and “the driving force behind the establishment of the nation’s veterinary profession,” according to the Fulbright website. The College has consistently been at the forefront of teaching and research in veterinary and allied sciences.

“I am extremely excited to be going on a Fulbright to the Royal Veterinary College in London, where I will study the genomes of zoonotic bacteria,” Lewis said. “In my research, I will apply a tool that maps gene flow across bacterial genomes to study how genetic information is exchanged between bacterial strains that cause disease in poultry, wild birds, swine, and humans. This work builds on research skills I obtained working in the Meerts Lab at Carleton and in the Hale Lab at Ohio State. I’ll also complete coursework on wildlife disease, captive wildlife management, conservation, ecosystem health, and epidemiology. I’m really excited to have free access to the London Zoo for my studies — I’ll get to see tigers on my lunch break — and I’m looking forward to exploring the UK and Europe.”

Lewis is fascinated by wild animals, their connections to humans and the environment, and the scientific movement to improve the health of all three. He’s looking forward to collaborating with UK stakeholders, researchers, and students to maximize scientific and cultural exchange.

After graduating from Carleton with distinction in his major of biology and a minor in biochemistry, Lewis attended Ohio State University for a master’s in comparative biomedical science. There, he joined the Hale Lab in the College of Veterinary Medicine, where he studied host-associated microbiota in a canine model of bladder cancer, used bioinformatics to identify pathogens affecting American alligators, and investigated how bacteria modify carcinogens contaminating the environment.

When he’s not researching animals, Lewis likes talking about animals: he’s an educator with a primate conservation nonprofit and a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. In his spare time, Lewis enjoys reading, running, and rock climbing. In London, he looks forward to volunteering with a local nature center and joining a queer climbing group.

Upon returning to the United States, Lewis will matriculate with the DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) Class of 2029 at Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, in Ithaca, New York.

Students interested in applying for this Fulbright in the future should contact Carleton’s Office of Student Fellowships for support and assistance.

Erica Helgerud ’20 is the news and social media manager for Carleton College.