After completing her Bachelor of Veterinary Science at Massey University in 2019, Colleen moved to Washington State University (WSU) in Pullman, Washington to pursue concurrent residency training in veterinary anatomic pathology and a PhD in veterinary sciences. Her PhD research, completed in 2025, focused on the molecular biology and entry mechanisms of herpesviruses, resulting in publications on ovine herpesvirus 2 (OvHV-2) and herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1). Her continuing research interests are in veterinary pathology and viruses, including further work on OvHV-2 as the causative agent of malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) and other diseases. While at WSU, Colleen also gained experience in the histologic examination and diagnosis of disease in a range of species, including fish and other aquatic species.