James Sikarskie has always had two passions, wildlife and Michigan State University.
Sikarskie, a zoo and wildlife veterinarian in MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine, had a love for wildlife that developed at a young age. Growing up on a dairy farm in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, hunting, fishing and outdoor activities were an important part of life. Being around animals and the outdoors so often interested Sikarskie, who knew early on that he wanted to work as a veterinarian.
Sikarskie brought his interests to MSU, where he began his undergraduate degree in 1970. After completing his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees, all at MSU, Sikarskie joined the faculty as a doctor of veterinary medicine in 1975, where he has stayed for 40 years.
In addition to teaching, Sikarskie has dedicated his career to helping wildlife in several other ways. Previously, he worked as a veterinarian for the Potter Park Zoo, where he still helps out. He also serves on the Committee on Environmental Issues for the American Veterinary Medical Association, where he has an effect on the national level. Additionally, Sikarskie and the veterinary clinic at MSU treat injured and ill birds of prey. This has led into Sikarskie’s research.
“My research involves using birds of prey as monitors of environmental quality,” Sikarskie said. “I’ve spent my life’s work here at MSU researching bald eagles as indicators of environmental quality in the Great Lakes Basin.”
With such a long career at MSU, both as a teacher and a student, what is Sikarskie’s favorite part of MSU?
“My favorite part about campus is the diverse activities you get to be involved in,” he said. “There’s teaching, research, service, all the great activities the Wharton Center has to offer and everything else. It’s such a great place to work.”