Lisa Van Acker
PresidentBeing part of VSDW is not only about learning about development in the wild, but also about developing in your own veterinary study and future career. I hope to make contacts around the world and share learning opportunities with other students and wildlife lovers.
Suzanne Vos
Vice-PresidentHi, my name is Suzanne, I’m a second year Masters student in Veterinary Medicine and a proud member of the VSDW. I’ve been passionate about (especially African) wildlife for a long time and mainly conservation, endangered species and human-wildlife conflict really interest me. With the VSDW I hope to be able to further educate fellow adventurers and myself on various topics regarding wildlife and working in developing countries.
Zoë Everaert
PR-intern - webmaster - communicationWell, hello! My name is Zoë and I’m a first years master student. When I chose to become a veterinarian, my main motivation was the wellbeing of animals. To me it’s important not only to cure them, but also to fight for their rights. A lot of wild animals are being used as an attraction in foreign countries for tourists: elephant riding, petting lions and taking pictures with them, swimming with dolphins and watching them do tricks, etc. but also poaching is a big problem. I think as a human being, it’s best not to interrupt the life of wild animals and just let them live in their natural habitat. We have to inform people and make them aware of the problems nowadays. Besides that, I’m also just fascinated by their greatness and I’m especially interested in wild felines. I hope I can do some beautiful things with VSDW.
Barbara Meeus
PR intern - webmaster - communicationSince I was a little child, I wanted to practice veterinary medicine. Over the last years, I learned a lot about all the animals in the world. My interest slowly started to grow into wildlife, especially into wild cats. I stepped into the VSDW, to make my dreams come true, step by step. I would like to receive more information and meet new people who can tell me things about their experience in the wildlife. Not only for myself, but also for the other students who are dreaming about the wildlife dream.
Mei-Lin De Vuyst
Pr-ExternMy name is Mei-Lin, first year Master student and current PR Extern of VSDW. Wildlife and conservation (more specifically, exotic mammals) has always fascinated me. My goal is to broaden not only my own worldview and knowledge in the wildlife and conservation field but also that of my fellow students and wildlife enthusiasts
Joline Fransen
Pr-externHi! My name is Joline and I’m a second master student. Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve been fascinated by wildlife. Especially reptiles and marine wildlife. I hope to expand my knowledge even more with VSDW and that we can introduce the world of beautiful animals beyond our own domestic animals to others. I think it’s also important that we make students aware of the problems like poaching and extinction of animal species. Beside that, I would love to make new contacts in the wildlife-community! Mainly, to create opportunities for myself and other students.
Florin Meijer
TreasurerHi, I’m Florin Meijer, second year master student in veterinairy medicine. During my travels, I got very interested in everything about wildlife. Especially in the conservation of endangered species and the interaction between local communities and wildlife. I’m very happy to be part of the VSDW team to help educate our fellow students, provide information and create networks.
Alyzee Pelgrims
Commission memberHello, I am Alyzee Pelgrims, a 2nd master student veterinary medicine. I’ve always had interests in wildlife and this year I took the step to go to South Africa for 3 weeks to work alongside a wildlife veterinarian. It is there that I fell in love with African wildlife. I would like to make more contacts myself in the wildlife world, learn more about wildlife in general and I would like to make sure that other students can also have a great experience with wildlife like me. Furthermore, I think it is important that we, as a graduating veterinarian, still have a broad base in the area of animals. After all, we do not graduate as a dog doctor or cow doctor, but as a general veterinarian.
Lika Verheye
Commission memberHi, my name is Lika Verheye and I am a new member of the VSDW-team this year. I am a first years master student in veterinary medicine. As far as I can remember I wanted to be a veterinarian. When I was 5 years old my mother bought a book of a girl that lived between lions and elephants in South Africa. I think I read the book at least a million times because I was so jealous of this girl’s life. Now, after all these years, I know that life isn’t possible but wildlife and especially endangered species have a special place in my heart. That is why my ultimate goal during my life is to help these animals against extinction, poaching and all other threats they are suffering from. Becoming a VSDW-member is a first (little) step to fulfil my goal. My big next step will be going to South-Africa and work side by side a wildlife veterinarian. I am looking forward to this adventure and I am sure that VSDW will help me doing the best I can to complete my goal.
Annemiek Wisse
Commission memberHi! My name is Annemiek Wisse and I’m currently a first master student in Veterinary medicine. Since the moment I started veterinary medicine I knew that I wanted to work in the wildlife-sector. I’m convinced that helping wildlife and prevent species from going extinct will only better the planet. I've always wanted to travel the world and work at the same time. Combining this with wildlife would be a dream come true. VSDW is the perfect starting point for me to gain knowledge about and experience with wildlife. I’m excited about meeting new people and hearing their story. I hope I can contribute to all the activities and events of VSDW.
Renée De Baets
Commission memberHi, my name is Renée. I am a 2nd year master student in veterinary medicine. Throughout my studies, I have become very interested in wildlife. Especially in reptiles, birds and our native fauna. I am curious to expand my knowledge of these animals and to get in touch with people who work with them. Mostly because of this curiosity, I decided to join VSDW. I hope to share my enthusiasm with my fellow students and to make sure everyone has the opportunity to learn more about wildlife.
Justine Vandenberghe
Commission memberHi, my name is Justine and I’m a first-year master’s student in veterinary medicine. I joined VSDW because I enjoy learning about all sorts of animals and would like to share that with other students. I have a special interest in local wildlife and marine mammals. By showing others the importance and beauty of these species, I want to contribute to their conservation.
Evelien Glazemaekers
Commission memberHi everyone! I’m Evelien, a third year master student in Veterinary Medicine. My personal focus lies on creating awareness for conservation of wildlife from a veterinary perspective. This is my first year in VSDW and I’m really excited to be part of this team! Ever since I was little, I have been fascinated by nature and wildlife. It is really amazing to be able to combine this passion with my studies. Last year I went to South Africa and did a placement with a wildlife veterinarian. This semester I’m on an exchange program at the University of Melbourne. Afterwards I hope to find a placement in wildlife medicine in Australia. Next semester I’ll be back in Belgium and I hope to see you all at the lectures. I’m always happy to talk to you about my adventures and knowledge of wildlife!
Mirthe Hellemons
Commission memberHello people of the world! My name is Mirthe and I’m a first year Masters student. Since I was a little child, I’ve been obsessed with wild animals, especially birds. When I started studying Veterinary Medicine, that obsession only became bigger. So, that’s how I ended up here! This year, I’d love to go to Africa to learn more about Wild Life species and ways to save them from endangerement. In the future, I’d love to combine traveling the world (as eco-friendly as possible) and working as a vet. For now, I hope to see you all at one of our events to teach you a little bit more about Wild Life!
Megali van Pachtenbeke
Commission memberHi, my name is Magali. I'm a first year master student. I've always been interested in wildlife, especially in big cats. With the VSDW I hope to get more information about wildlife animals and to gain more exprerience. My dream is to go to Africa and treat big cats and other wildlife animals.
Jonas Leus
Commision memberI am Jonas Leus and I’m a first year master student in veterinary medicine. I always had a big interest in wildlife and especially in wild bovid species, elephants, rhinos, birds and marine mammals. So last summer I went to Plettenberg Bay to have my first African experience. I joined VSDW this year to learn a lot more about wildlife, share my knowledge with other students and follow my dream to work in the world of wildlife in the future.
