Molecular techniques applied to clinical research; development of novel diagnostic methodologies to track emerging pathogens; Zoo and aquatic animal medicine; virology; oncoviruses; comparative oncology; wildlife oncology; and One Health

Graduate students-Chile
1. Irene Peña, PhD student U Andrea Bello “The importance of contaminant on the immune response to respiratory viruses in Otaria Byronia” (Mentor)
2. Francisco Carrasco, Master student PUC “Melatonina modificador de expresión génica en carcinoma mamario canino: modelo invitro” (Mentor)
3. Constanza Meriño, Master student PUC “Diversity of respiratory viruses on Arctocephalus australis from Guafo Island” (Mentor)
4. Eduardo Pizarro, Master student PUC. Adaptaciones genómicas a un ambiente cambiante: historia evolutiva de los tres linajes más recientes de zorros Sudamericanos (Lycalopex)” (Committee member)
5. Claudia Ulloa, Master student PUC. “Diversidad genética de MHC Clase I y II en dos especies de zorros de Chile” (Committee member)
Graduate students-USA
6. Jordan Ayers DVM. MS/Oncology Resident 2018-2022. Research project: “Detection and expression of p53, p16,p21,igf1,ErbB2, and Rb within Canine Osteosarcoma Cell Lines”. (Postdoc committee member)-Completed
7. Kirsten Jackson, DVM. MS/Oncology Resident 2017-2021. Research project: “Genetic profile of canine myeloid-derived suppressor cells in dogs with melanoma”. (Postdoc committee member)-Completed
Veterinary students-USA
1. Leah Ackerman DVM student class of 2020. Research project: “IL-8 expression in on feline squamous cell carcinoma cell lines” (Co-mentor with Dr. Souza) 3er Place Veterinary Student Competition PhiZeta 2019 Graduated Spring 2020
2. Alexa Stephen DVM student class of 2019. Research project: “The effects of natural and synthetic retinoids on feline squamous cell carcinoma cell lines” (Research support) Graduated Spring 2019
3. Jordyn Sthay, DVM student class of 2017. Research project: “Novel seabird virus identification and development of quantitative assays for use in health impact assessment”. (Co-mentor with Dr. Wellehan) Graduated Spring 2017
4. Patrica Kunze, veterinary student Universidad de São Paulo. Research project: “Identification and phylogenetic analysis of two novel Microcebus herpesviruses and posterior qPCR assay development”. (Co-mentor with Dr. Wellehan). Graduated 2015
5. Kali Standorf, DVM student class of 2015. Research project: “Tursiops truncatus adenovirus 1: genome characterization and qPCR test development for a novel Mastadenovirus" Merck/Merial Summer research fellowship award recipient. Winner, Phi Zeta award for the best student presentation. (Co-mentor with Dr. Wellehan) Graduated Spring 2015
Undergraduate students-Chile
1. Alexis Aviles Undergrad thesis U Andres Bello “Parvovirus in Otaria Byronia’s pups, full genome sequencing and prevalence”
2. Ursula Echeverria- PUC Research project (BIO295A) “Targeted transcriptomic of immune gene related to cellular immunity and viral response in Otaria Byronia”
3. Liena Bravo - PUC summer reseach “Historias de virus y hue?spedes: Importancia de la inmunocompetencia en la presencia de virus en lobo comu?n (Otaria byronia) en la colonia de Cobquecura, Regio?n de N?uble”
4. Nicolas Calderon - PUC Research Project (BIO295A) “Novel herpesvirus on Dromiciops gliroides expand our understanding of herpevirus diversity and evolution” (Primary mentor)
5. Simón Frenkel Moraga, Marine Biology - PUC Research project (BIO295A) “Análisis de individuos de la especie Tursiops truncatus mediante fotogrametría de su aleta dorsal para caracterización de sus modos de vida y conductas” (Primary mentor)
Undergraduate students-USA
6. Alyssa Gosling ReTOOL summer program 2018. Research project “The Effects of the Cyclin Dependent Kinase inhibitor - Flavopiridol on Cell growth and Apoptosis in Canine Osteosarcoma in vivo” (Co-mentor with Dr. Milner). Best advance presentation award.
7. Brandon Murphy, Class 2018 - Fayetteville State University, North Carolina. Research project: “Effect of host genetic background and sex on Wolbachia quantity in Drosophila melanogaster” (Summer 2017 Undergrad Research Fellow, Co-mentor with Dr. Wayne). PhD program Fall 2018.
8. Sarah Sherman-UF Pre-med student class of 2018. Research project: “Use of Next Generation Sequencing for viral discovery in stranded cetaceans from South Florida”. (Co-mentor with Dr. Wayne). Medical School Fall 2018.
9. Rachel Jouni, UF Biology Class of 2017. Research project: “Effect of ADAR mutants on Drosophila melanogaster fitness and the interaction with DmelSV (sigma virus)” and “Effect of Rapamycin on DmelSV (Drosophila melanogaster Sigma virus) infection”. (Co-mentor with Dr. Wayne) Graduated Spring 2017. PhD program Fall 2018.

Difusión
“Point of care: Utilidad diagnostica de test rápidos en la clínica” Dr. Zoetis, On-line, Santiago, Chile, 2021
“Virus Marinos” Seminarios con la comunidad, Proyecto Explora Coquimbo, Festival de la Ciencia, Coquimbo, 2020
“Cetáceos, centinelas de la salud oceánica” : Seminarios a la comunidad, Naturalistas Chile, 2020
“Un mar de virus, de plancton a grandes cetáceos”. Seminarios con la comunidad, Fundación Mar y Ciencia, 2020
Academic talks
2022 Tales of sea lions and its viruses – Chile”, Mississippi state On-line, USA
2019 Viruses in Wildlife: from evolution to ecology", University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minnesota, USA.
2019 The CVM experience with canine single cell transcriptomics and copy number variation in canine osteosarcoma cell lines, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
2018 Oncovirus en mamíferos marinos: Carcinoma-asociado Otarine HV-1. Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
2018 Virus Discovery and Diagnostics in Veterinary Medicine. College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
2015 Seminario: Avances sobre el conocimiento de microorganismos virales y bacterianos asociados a vertebrados e invertebrados silvestres de Chile. Universidad de Concepción, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Chillan, Chile. Four talks [Seminar: Advances in the understanding of viral microorganisms and bacteria associated with vertebrates and wild invertebrates in Chile.]
2015 Viruses major players in marine ecosystems: investigations in charismatic megafauna Universidad Católica del Norte, Coquimbo, Chile.
2015 Virus en fauna marina: un desafío para los medicos veterinarias de Chile. Universidad de Chile. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias: Santiago. Chile. [Virus in marine fauna: A challenge for veterinary doctors in Chile.]
2015 Importance of viruses in marine ecosystems: Virus discovery and investigations in marine mammals. Harbor Brach Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Port Pierce, Florida, USA.