Laurel Mastro | Photo: University of Kentucky's College of Agriculture

From: Concord, N.C.

Degrees and institute where received: Bachelor of Science, Animal Science, from North Carolina State University

After moving to Lexington, Ky., for the Kentucky Equine Management Internship (KEMI) program, Laurel Mastro began her master’s degree in January 2012. As an undergraduate, Mastro’s research focused primarily on swine; however, her personal interest in horses led her to consider focusing on them for her graduate research. When she found the opportunity to work with Kristine Urschel, PhD, assistant professor within the University of Kentucky’s Animal and Food Sciences Department, she said she jumped at the chance