09/09/2026
This summer, Kailee Pierce (DVM ’28) participated in the Georgia Veterinary Scholars Program, working in the Small Animal Medicine and Surgery lab under cardiologist Dr. Lauren Markovic.
Kailee spent much of the summer creating 3D feline heart models using a medical image processing software called Materialise Mimics. She then hosted a workshop for her peers to evaluate how effectively the models could improve comprehension of basic cardiac ultrasound. She wrapped up the summer by presenting her research at the 2026 Veterinary Scholars Symposium at NC State University.
“I enjoyed getting to further explore my interest in cardiology, while making meaningful connections with my mentor, fellow scholars and other amazing staff members throughout the hospital,” Kailee said. She also found it rewarding to see the impact her project had on her peers and its potential to contribute to veterinary education in the future.
After graduation, Kailee hopes to pursue a small animal rotating internship.
