-
Our team 2020-2021
Barbara Meeus
PresidentSince 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.
Zoë Everaert
vice-presidentWell, hello! My name is Zoë and I’m a second 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.
Megali van Pachtenbeke
Pr-internHi, 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.
Mirthe Hellemons
Pr-internHello 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!
Lisa Van Acker
Pr-externBeing 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.
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.
Jonas Leus
TreasurerI 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.
Justine Vandenberghe
TreasurerHi, 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.
Lika Verheye
Social media managerHi, 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
Event-plannerHi! 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.
Mei-Lin De Vuyst
Responsible for Commission MembersMy 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
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.
