Undergraduate Student Spotlight: Megan Ashby

Megan Ashby, a junior studying animal sciences, is currently expanding her academic experience through a study abroad program at the University of New England in Armidale, New South Wales, Australia.

Originally on track to graduate in three years, Ashby decided to extend her time at Purdue and pursue study abroad after a conversation with her academic advisor, Ashley York. 

“I hadn’t considered studying abroad before, but the more I thought about it, the more it felt like the right opportunity,” Ashby said.

Ashby arrived in Australia in mid-February and will complete the trimester at the end of May. Afterward, she plans to travel along the eastern coast before returning home in June.

Now, Ashby is enrolled in courses such as animal behavior and beef production, with a mix of in-person and online instruction. 

“It’s been really interesting,” Ashby said. “I get to compare the American version of the class to the Australian version.”

The experience has also had a personal impact. 

“It’s definitely widened my horizons,” Ashby said. “Two months ago, I didn’t know a single soul in Australia. Now I have friends all across Australia.”

Reflecting on her experiences, Ashby offered advice for incoming students navigating their own journeys. 

“Don't hesitate to take the opportunities that are in front of you,” Ashby said. “They may not be exactly what you want, but they will always lead to something bigger and better, so long as you don't let them pass you by.”

Ashby found her passion for animals while working on her family farm in Carroll County, Indiana. 

“I had a 4-H heifer who was having her first calf,” Ashby said. “We had to help pull the calf, and I remember thinking, ‘If I could do this for the rest of my life, I’d be happy.’”

Ashby arrived at Purdue with plans to pursue a career in veterinary medicine, but her time on campus has introduced her to the world of research in Alex Pasternak’s lab. Now, she’s exploring both veterinary and graduate school as potential next steps, with hopes of becoming either a practicing veterinarian or a university professor.

Ashby has presented her work at Purdue’s Undergraduate Research Symposium for three consecutive semesters, gaining hands-on experience in reproductive physiology research—particularly in swine. 

“Dr. Pasternak’s lab looks at reproductive physiology, especially in swine, and looking at the PRRS virus, which is really interesting to me,” Ashby said. “It’s been cool to see how the work I do at Purdue has real-world impact.”

Additionally, Ashby has completed two research-based internships. One was with United Animal Health, where she served as a swine research intern during the summer of 2023. The following summer, she completed a beef research internship with the University of Illinois.

Ashby’s dedication to her studies have earned her several academic honors. She is a Purdue Veterinary Scholar and has been named to the College of Agriculture Dean’s List. Her hard work has also been recognized through multiple scholarships supporting her academic journey.

According to Ashby, the greatest strengths of the Purdue Animal Sciences Department are its supportive student services team and the emphasis on hands-on learning.

“One of the biggest benefits of being in animal sciences is having a student services team that really cares about you and wants to see you succeed,” Ashby said. “They want to see students leave Purdue better than they came. Another strength is definitely our hands-on work. It helps to keep students motivated and interested in interacting with the content that they're learning.”

Outside of academics, Ashby enjoys reading and typically completes 20 to 60 books a year. While in Australia, she’s also returned to watercolor painting, creating handmade birthday cards for friends.

Ashby also finds joy in spending time with animals, whether it's feeding cattle at home or caring for pets. On weekends when she is home, she also works at Camp Tecumseh YMCA’s equestrian barn, leading trail rides and teaching kids about horses.