Dr. Melody E. Roelke-Parker is a wildlife veterinarian. She recently returned from three and a half years working in Tanzania as the wildlife veterinarian for the Tanzanian National Parks. There she conducted research on the impact of diseases on wildlife. Currently she is a scientist and veterinarian with the National Cancer Institute, investigating the mechanisms of disease resistance and infection in wildlife species. At what age did you choose your career? eleven years old Was there a specific event or person associated with that decision? I was raised on a farm and would care for our orphaned lambs and other sick animals. I was always thoroughly entranced by the veterinarian whenever he would come to our place. My father instilled in me a love and respect for wildness, and the two loves grew into my passion for becoming a wildlife veterinarian. What has been the greatest experience of your career? For two summers while I was in veterinary school, I had the opportunity to work on the misty, cold, exquisite bird-and-flower covered islands in the middle of the Bering Sea: the Pribilof Islands. While working on the Northern fur seals and cliff-nesting sea birds, I decided that working with wildlife was what I wanted to do with my life. What specialized skills do you need for the job? A curious and observant mind that never stops questioning, a doctorate in veterinary medicine, and specialized training in wildlife medicine. What is the most frustrating part of your job? The difficulty of getting hold of some of my "patients"; capture and anesthesia of wild animals can be dangerous for the animal, so it is done only when necessary. Also, when working with wild animals, you can "see" only part of what goes on, many clues about the health or disease state of animals vanishes into the bushes with them, so you must be part detective and gather small "clues" where and when you can find them. Any advice for young people who are considering a career in zoology? If you feel a strong fascination and commitment to a chosen field, don't let anyone tell you that you can't do it -- it may take a long time, and you may well not earn as much money as in other fields, but stick to your dreams. If you could be any cat, which would you be? A cheetah -- my father promised me one when I was four years old, and it stuck in my heart.