Max Gao
Madison,WI
Summary
Dedicated Animal and Veterinary Biosciences student with extensive supervised experience in wildlife veterinary practices and a solid background in companion-animal perioperative care, shelter animal handling, conservation fieldwork, laboratory research, and animal husbandry. Committed to pursuing a career in zoo, exotic, and wildlife veterinary medicine while developing comprehensive clinical skills across diverse species. Recognized for strong organizational abilities and a dependable work ethic, consistently managing multiple priorities while maintaining a positive attitude. A proactive team player who embraces additional responsibilities to achieve collective goals and excels at prioritizing tasks to meet deadlines with precision.
Overview
3
3
Languages
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Wildlife Veterinary Experience
Wild Sun Rescue Center
Costa Rica
05.2026 - 06.2026
- Supervised care of native wildlife and exotic species through restraint, physical examinations, supportive fluid and nutritional care, wound management, diagnostic evaluation, necropsy exposure, rehabilitation, neonatal care, and release-related husbandry.
- Assisted in clinical cases for howler monkeys, Scarlet macaws, parakeets, pygmy owl, raccoons, coati, bats, opossums, and reptiles, focusing on electrocution-associated tissue injury, malnutrition, supportive fluid care, radiographic evaluation, and fecal/parasitology assessment.
- Executed routine feeding, weighing, diet preparation, and syringe feeding for juvenile wildlife; facilitated Scarlet Macaw release program husbandry and adapted housing for disabled or vulnerable animals.
- Received hands-on instruction in injection techniques and remote wildlife drug delivery, including syringe-dart preparation and blowpipe technique; discussed welfare, conservation, and population-management challenges with veterinary staff.
- Completed approximately 200 veterinary hours in Costa Rica, gaining hands-on experience in wildlife care.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness, and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
- Supported operational needs by working flexible hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
Community Spay/Neuter Campaign
Veterinary Field Experience
Costa Rica
05.2026 - 06.2026
- Supervised perioperative care of three canine and feline patients, including restraint, medication preparation, injections, IV catheter placement practice, shaving, aseptic surgical preparation, sterile-field setup, and postoperative recovery.
- Monitored heart rate, respiratory rate, and body temperature every five minutes during anesthesia in a limited-equipment setting, communicating patient status to veterinary team and gaining exposure to surgical instrumentation and anesthetic management.
- Assisted in veterinary care for dogs and cats in Costa Rica over a period of approximately 16 hours.
- Worked flexible hours across night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions, and make decisions.
Meat Retail Assistant
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI
05.2025 - Current
- Delivered customer service while assisting with meat processing, packaging, product quality assessment, inventory management, labeling, and retail operations, ensuring compliance with food-safety and sanitation procedures.
- Executed opening/closing duties and collaborated in fast-paced team environment, enhancing reliability and communication while adhering to attention to detail in handling animal-derived food systems.
- Assisted customers with product selection, providing personalized service and support.
- Maintained organized inventory displays, ensuring merchandise was accessible and well-presented.
- Processed transactions accurately using point-of-sale systems, enhancing customer checkout experience.
Wildlife Conservation Field Program
University of Wisconsin-Madison
South Africa
08.2026 - 08.2026
- Worked alongside wildlife rangers to locate free-ranging large mammals, document population status, identify animals from tracks/field signs, and learn population-monitoring approaches.
- Utilized radio-telemetry methods to locate collared African wild dogs and cheetahs and explored contraception-based population management for lions and elephants to support species conservation efforts.
- Conducted spotted hyena project analyzing clan structure, density, social and hunting behavior, and predator dynamics with lions and cheetahs, culminating in a presentation to share findings with stakeholders.
- Identified issues, analyzed information, and provided solutions to problems.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
Canine Companion Volunteer
Dane County Humane Society
Madison, WI
10.2025 - 05.2026
- Handled, walked, and socialized shelter dogs with varying temperaments; adapted interactions based on observed body language, provided enrichment activities, and ensured cleanliness of animal areas.
- Dedicated over 50 hours to animal care and enrichment activities
- Provided companionship to animals, enhancing their socialization and emotional well-being.
- Assisted in daily care routines, including feeding and grooming of animals.
- Engaged with potential adopters, sharing information about pet behavior and care needs.
Banking Animal Biodiversity
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Costa Rica
03.2026 - 04.2026
- Investigated effects of habitat fragmentation and deforestation on biodiversity, observing native birds, tree frogs, poison dart frogs, snakes, and toads to understand behavior, habitat use, and ecological relationships.
- Conducted restoration-focused fieldwork by locating planted trees, measuring growth, and recording field data to assess restoration progress.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness, and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
- Worked flexible hours across night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
Lab Assistant
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI
03.2025 - 06.2025
- Sanitized workstations and instruments to reduce cross-contamination and maintained laboratory inventory, equipment, and supply orders.
- Assisted in laboratory experiments, ensuring compliance with safety protocols and procedures.
- Prepared and maintained laboratory equipment for various research projects and experiments.
- Conducted routine tests and recorded data accurately to support research findings.
Laboratory Assistant
Jinan University
Guangzhou, China
01.2020 - 08.2024
- Assisted in laboratory work with microbial/yeast strains, enzyme digestion, and plasmid-related procedures; aided graduate students in sample preparation, data measurement, and research recording.
- Managed husbandry for research mice, ensuring proper feeding, timely cage changes, and sanitation.
- Assisted in preparation and analysis of laboratory samples following established protocols.
- Maintained laboratory equipment and ensured compliance with safety standards.
- Conducted routine inventory checks and managed supply orders for lab materials.
Fish Shop Staff
Tropical Fish Shop
China
09.2017 - 12.2023
- Maintained long-term tropical fish husbandry by feeding, sanitizing tanks, and monitoring species-specific behavior, diet, and water-temperature requirements; advised customers on fish selection and care.
- Assisted customers in selecting appropriate aquatic species and supplies.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of displays and tanks.
- Monitored water quality parameters to ensure optimal fish health.
Education
B.S. - Animal & Vet Biosciences
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI05-2027
Skills
- Wildlife rehabilitation
- Clinical & Animal: Wildlife husbandry
- Wildlife rehabilitation support
- Team Collaboration
- Field sampling
- Analytical thinking
- Animal welfare advocacy
- Wildlife rehabilitation
Languages
English
Full Professional
Chinese (Cantonese)
Full Professional
Chinese (Mandarin)
Native or Bilingual
Personal Information
Title: Pre-Veterinary Student | Animal & Vet Biosciences
Timeline
Wildlife Conservation Field Program
University of Wisconsin-Madison
08.2026 - 08.2026
Wildlife Veterinary Experience
Wild Sun Rescue Center
05.2026 - 06.2026
Community Spay/Neuter Campaign
Veterinary Field Experience
05.2026 - 06.2026
Banking Animal Biodiversity
University of Wisconsin-Madison
03.2026 - 04.2026
Canine Companion Volunteer
Dane County Humane Society
10.2025 - 05.2026
Meat Retail Assistant
University of Wisconsin-Madison
05.2025 - Current
Lab Assistant
University of Wisconsin-Madison
03.2025 - 06.2025
Laboratory Assistant
Jinan University
01.2020 - 08.2024
Fish Shop Staff
Tropical Fish Shop
09.2017 - 12.2023
B.S. - Animal & Vet Biosciences
University of Wisconsin-Madison