Beyond The Clinic: VMBS Students Explore Opportunities In Science Communication

Story by Sanjida Akter, Science & Technology Journalism program

September 29, 2025

Two students from the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) have earned highly competitive editorial roles at American Veterinary Medical Association journals, reflecting both their veterinary and science communication skills.

Dr. Jane Costa, a third-year comparative medicine resident and biomedical sciences master’s student, is a student associate editor of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) and the American Journal of Veterinary Research (AJVR). Kristi Bolf, a third-year veterinary student, is engaged in student peer review for these journals as well.

Practicing science communication is important because it exposes students to the many ways a veterinary degree can be applied beyond clinical work.

“There are many career options available to those with a veterinary degree, and working in publishing is just one of those many options,” Costa said.

From Science To Storytelling

Costa, who earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from St. George’s University and completed her fourth-year clinical training at Oregon State University, has long been interested in both science and writing.

“I always had a knack for writing,” Costa said. “But I always had this love for science, too. So, I was always trying to figure out which one to do, not really knowing that there was a way to blend both of them.”

After starting a family, she found new inspiration in combining her creative side with her veterinary background.

“My joy for writing was re-sparked,” she said. “I began looking for opportunities that meshed both veterinary medicine and writing/editing.”

To pursue this interest, she did freelance work.

“I ended up writing for different veterinary practices and did some freelance writing and editing for bigger companies. My projects included blogs, veterinarian-facing articles, pet owner guidelines, and things like that,” Costa said.

Similarly, Bolf also found ways to combine her interests in veterinary medicine and writing throughout her educational journey.

“I’m from a small town in South Texas and my mom’s a veterinarian, so that’s what initially inspired me to follow the vet school track,” Bolf said.

Her experiences at the VMBS have played a key role in shaping her main career interest.

“I worked in the Large Animal Teaching Hospital as an operating room technician, and that further fueled my interest, particularly in equine medicine,” Bolf said. “Writing has intrigued me since grade school, but it wasn’t until college that I was able to get involved in research projects and see the interface between science journalism and veterinary medicine.”

Both students started working with the journals in September 2024 after seeing the student peer review opportunity announced in a newsletter and social media.

Inside The Editorial Process

As a student associate editor, Costa begins her work by checking manuscripts for key components and assessing overall writing quality. She then identifies potential peer reviewers based on expertise and keywords in the manuscript.

When peer reviews arrive back, Costa reads them and adds her own summary and recommendations for the editor-in-chief.

Costa said her personal knowledge of veterinary medicine has helped her greatly in her role at JAVMA.

“Working as a veterinarian has absolutely prepared me for analyzing studies that impact clinical medicine,” she said.

One of the biggest challenges Costa faces is finding reviewers for manuscript and managing different reviewer opinions. Despite such difficulties, she finds editing deeply rewarding.

“When I sit down at my computer with a long to-do list, I always tend to my editing tasks first, because it’s what I enjoy the most,” she said.

As a student peer reviewer, Bolf evaluates newly submitted manuscripts as a third reviewer, providing feedback alongside the expert reviewers.   

“It’s helpful to refer to the journal’s guidelines for authors to ensure that manuscripts include all the key components,” Bolf said.

The Benefit Of Coursework

Both Costa and Bolf have taken courses in the VMBS’ Science & Technology Journalism (STJR) program, which helped prepare them for their journal editor roles.

 “Before doing the STJR classes, I didn’t really know all the different facets of the publishing world, specifically scientific publishing,” Costa said.  

For Bolf, the STJR coursework has helped in communicating clearly and concisely.

“Discussions in class made it easier to open up and share my thoughts, and I got used to having my own writing up for discussion,” Bolf said. “That experience helps put you in the mindset of a peer reviewer.”

Challenges, Rewards, & Professional Growth

Both students emphasized how meaningful the mentorship they receive from journal editors has been in their editorial journeys.

“The guidance given to me by the AVMA editorial staff as a student associate editor has been exceptional. This program is so unique — I just don’t think I would get this experience anywhere else,” Costa said.

Costa hopes to continue her career in science communications in the publishing field.

“Whether as a part-time associate editor, editor-in-chief, or somewhere in between, I hope to stay connected to veterinary or scientific publishing in some regard moving forward,” Costa said.

Bolf plans to take a more traditional veterinary route but still stay engaged in the science communications world.

“I don’t know exactly what avenues will open up, but I definitely want to stay involved in writing, editing, and peer reviewing throughout my career,” she said. “I also intend to practice veterinary medicine in a clinical setting, so I’m still working on how to strike the balance there.”

Bolf shared that her own experience navigating opportunities in veterinary medicine and science writing taught her the importance of being proactive and seeking guidance.

“You have to be your own advocate when it comes to asking questions and expressing genuine interest. The opportunities are there, and so are the mentors who are more than willing to help you in any way that they can,” Bolf said.

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For more information about the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, please visit our website at vetmed.tamu.edu or join us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Contact Information: Jennifer Gauntt, Director of VMBS Communications, Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, jgauntt@cvm.tamu.edu, 979-862-4216

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