Dr. Kuschke is a licensed veterinarian and doctor of philosophy; currently she is a postdoctoral fellow at FAU. She received her undergraduate degree from Purdue University. She is driven to learn; she earned a master’s degree in education while simultaneously teaching sixth graders as a member of Teach for America. Dr. Kuschke gained valuable experience working with domestic animals and exotics species such as large cats, dogs, pandas, and more through various internships and employment opportunities before enrolling in veterinary school at the University of Tennessee. During veterinary school, she entered a dual DVM/Ph.D. program, where she began her dissertation research collaborating with FAU Marine Lab’s principal investigator, Dr. Jeanette Wyneken. For her dissertation, Dr. Kuschke studied various microbes living on leatherback sea turtle skin and how the environment influenced these microorganisms. She has expanded this line of research for her postdoctoral fellowship. In her free time, Dr. Kuschke enjoys reading, running, hiking, and hanging out with her dog, Winston. Dr. Kuschke believes that everyone can contribute to sea turtle conservation.