Kirsten grew up in a military family and has lived in all parts of the United States and internationally. She attended Colorado State University where she earned a bachelor's in zoology and a master's in microbiology. During her time at CSU, she studied ground squirrel social structures, dolphin behavior and physiology, and the effects of chytrid fungus on amphibians. Kirsten is actively applying to veterinary schools and strives to become an ABVP Diplomate in Reptile and Amphibian Medicine. When Kirsten isn't working at the hospital, she can be found on the ski slopes, swimming open water marathon competitions, or spending time with her two bearded dragons and black lab!