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Dr. Lauren Gawel graduated from the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in 2022 with an International Veterinary Medicine certificate and Honos Civicus recognition. They have always had a strong interest in exotic pet and zoo medicine. During their studies, they spent time with a multitude of zoological facilities. Following graduation, they completed a small animal rotating internship at Bulger Veterinary Hospital, a private practice hospital in Lawrence, MA. They then completed a specialty internship in exotic animal medicine and emergency and critical care when they returned to the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts. Since then, they have done relief work for Southwicks Zoo and regularly volunteers with the Roger Williams Park Zoo veterinary team.
Dr. Gawel is passionate about teaching future veterinarians and has taught middle school through college-age students in multiple teaching programs, most recently including a pre-veterinary course at Capron Park Zoo and a coral conservation course in Florida through Loop Abroad programs. They have also been a locum clinician at the Tufts Small Animal Hospital for the Zoological Companion Animal Medicine Service and teaches the third year parrot medicine lectures for the Tufts veterinary students. Dr. Gawel is passionate about moving reptile and amphibian medicine forward and has been a board member of the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians since 2021, student outreach chair since 2022, and became the secretary in 2026.
When not working, Dr. Gawel enjoys hiking, skiing, consuming sci-fi and fantasy media, theatre, attending Renaissance faires, painting, and spending time with her friends, partner, and pets.
