Last year, Natalie Aguilar helped perform a C-section on a dog. The operating room was a thrill. The newborn puppies needed her, and she was there for them. Since day one, she’s been by their side and watched them grow.
Aguilar, a 21-year-old nursing junior, works as a research assistant on a glycogen storage disease study at UF. The gene therapy research uses the dogs, which need around-the-clock supervision and care.
Her brother and sister worked on the project before her, and she said she was anxious to join the team.
“It’s really exciting to be part of a project that is making such progress and will hopefully be able to help so many in the coming years,” Aguilar said. “The puppies were a plus.”
Aside from being involved with her research, Aguilar is involved in Alpha Phi Omega and the UF Nursing Student Association. She’s participated in countless community service efforts within the Gainesville community and has helped plan and partake in events within the nursing college.
However, right now, Aguilar said her future involves more school.
“If all goes as planned, I will graduate next spring with my bachelor[s] of science in nursing,” Aguilar said. “I hope to apply to a doctor of nursing-practice program within the next few years.”
Though she isn’t sure which program she’ll go into yet, Aguilar said she’s interested in pediatrics.
Women just starting out in college should jump on getting involved, she said.
“Take advantage of every opportunity you can,” Aguilar said, “and get involved with organizations you care about.”