Summary
Highlights
Dr. Swekla is responsible for the proper care of animals used for research and teaching at the University of Saskatchewan. His duties include clinical veterinary work, treating sick animals, performing surgeries, and administering anesthesia. He also teaches university students and faculty on animal handling, surgery, and other procedures.
Dr. Swekla is part of an ethics committee that reviews and approves all animal work on campus. This committee ensures scientific validity and animal welfare, making sure animals do not experience excessive pain or distress, and receive appropriate pain medication, especially after surgery.
Dr. Swekla always loved animals and science, leading him to veterinary medicine. He pursued an undergraduate degree in science and then a veterinary degree. He prefers working in animal research over small animal clinical practice due to the exposure to science and the opportunity to help people with their animal work.
He finds it fascinating how animal research translates into real-world medical changes. He highlights examples like nerve stimulators for chronic back and leg pain, which were developed through extensive animal work. Historically, vaccines and insulin were also first trialed in animals, leading to significant breakthroughs in treating conditions like diabetes.
Dr. Swekla advises students interested in science to talk to people working in the science industry or related careers. This networking can provide insights into different roles and potentially uncover interesting areas of science they might not have considered. He emphasizes the importance of gaining exposure to various career paths early on, as many students, including his friends, felt unsure about what to do with a science degree after graduation.