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Veterinary Research College of Veterinary Medicine
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Graduate Studies Overview

Graduate Student Peer Mentors

Graduate Student Peer Mentors provide guidance and assistance to incoming CVM graduate students in the transition into the graduate program, and peer support to current students in a structured environment

Comparative, Diagnostic & Population Medicine

Chaitanya Gottapu

Chaitanya Gottapu

PhD Student
Department: VM-RESEARCH / GRADUATE
Phone: (352) 870-8289
Email: cgottapu@ufl.edu
CV: View Curriculum Vitae:
Mailing Address:
PO Box 100125
 GAINESVILLE FL 32610
Physical Address:
PO Box 100125
 GAINESVILLE FL 32610

Veterinary graduate and masters holder in the field of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology

Accomplishments:
  • Second place oral presentation
    2019 · National Seminar and IV Convention of Meat Scientists and Technologists
  • Best Poster presentation
    2019 · National Seminar and IV Convention of Meat Scientists and Technologists
  • Awarded with Madhan trophy
    2016 · Society of Animal Physiologists of India
  • Special award for environmental physiology
    2014 · Society of Animal Physiologists of India
Certifications:
  • National eligibility test Qualified
    AGRICULTURAL SCIENTISTS RECRUITMENT RECRUITMENT BOARD
Research Summary:

I am a veterinarian, completed my Master’s in Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology at Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Andhra Pradesh-India. I have completed a research project on “Characterization of MDR Enterococcus species of animal, human and environmental origin with special emphasis on vancomycin resistance”, as a part of my Master’s thesis. I have hands-on experience in Microbiological techniques (isolation and identification of bacteria), Molecular Biology Techniques (DNA Isolation, RNA Isolation, Polymerase chain reaction), Basic immunological techniques, antimicrobial resistance characterization techniques (by PCR and qPCR), Bioinformatics (Genetic Diversity studies by ERIC and REP PCR techniques) and basic statistical techniques (SPSS and basics in R-studio).

Previously worked as a senior research fellow in the project titled “Modelling exposure to biological hazards in the dairy chains of Andhra Pradesh to inform food safety policy”. It was supervised by Javier Guitian and Dr. Tumati Srinivasa Rao (The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) and NTR College of veterinary science collaborated on the project.

Publications:
Education:
  • 2017-2019
    Master of Veterinary Science
    Sri Venkateswara Veterinary university
  • 2012-2017
    D.V.M
    Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University
Full Profile

Infectious Diseases & Immunology

Nicole M Nazario-Maldonado

Nicole M Nazario-Maldonado

Ph.D. Candidate
Department: Department of Infectious Diseases & Immunology
Email: nicole.nazarioma@ufl.edu
Physical Address:
UNIVERISITY OF FLORIDA
V2-228
2015 SW 16th
 GAINESVILLE FL 32608
Publications:
Grants:
  • Sep 2021 ACTIVE
    RDT-undetectable Malaria in the DR Congo: Epidemiology and Development of Alternatives: DRC Diversity Supplement
    UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · Other
Education:
  • 2015
    MS in Environmental Health
    University of Puerto Rico, Medical Science Campus
  • 2007
    Bachelor's in Industrial Microbiology
    University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus
Full Profile

Physiological Sciences

Elizabeth Brammer-Robbins

Elizabeth Brammer-Robbins MS

PhD Student
Department: GR-GRAD SCHOOL OPERATIONS
Phone: (352) 392-6622
Email: e.brammerrobbins@ufl.edu
CV: View Curriculum Vitae:
Physical Address:
2187 MOWRY RD BLDG 471
 GAINESVILLE FL 32611
Accomplishments:
  • CVM Block Grant Fellow
    2021-2025 · College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida
  • President
    2021-2022 · Veterinary Graduate Student Association
  • Vice President
    2020-2021 · Veterinary Graduate Student Association
  • NSF Graduate Research Fellow
    2019-2024 · National Science Foundation
  • Social Chair
    2019-2020 · Veterinary Graduate Student Association
Research Summary:

I am primarily interested in ecotoxicology and conservation physiology research for the protection of threatened and endangered species.

Publications:
Education:
  • 2019-2021
    Veterinary Medical Sciences M.S.
    University of Florida
  • 2013-2017
    Animal Science B.S.
    North Carolina State University
Full Profile

Large Animal Clinical Sciences (LACS) 

Segundo Casaro

Segundo Casaro DVM, MS

GRADUATE AST-G
Department: Large Animal Clinical Sciences
Phone: (352) 284-4016
Email: segundocasaro@ufl.edu
CV: View Curriculum Vitae:
Mailing Address:
PO Box 100136
 GAINESVILLE FL 32610
Physical Address:
2030 SHEALY DR
 GAINESVILLE FL 32611

I completed my DVM degree in 2018 at the University of La Plata College of Veterinary Medicine in Buenos Aires, Argentina. After graduation, I worked for one year as a beef and dairy cattle veterinary practitioner, mostly doing reproductive and nutrition related activities. Then, in June 2019, I had the privilege of being accepted as a Research Scholar in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at the University of Florida under the supervision of Dr. Klibs Galvão. After completing a year as a Research Scholar, I was accepted into the Animal Molecular and Cellular Biology Master of Science graduate program, also under the supervision of Dr. Galvão. I graduated from the master’s program in July 2021. Right upon graduation I was granted the admission to the PhD program in Veterinary Medical Sciences through the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine for Fall term 2021 under the guidance of Dr. Klibs Galvão. Since my arrival at the University of Florida as a Research Scholar, and currently during the PhD program I am working closely with Dr. Galvão aiming to develop a statistical model capable of predicting metritis in dairy cows

Publications:
Full Profile

Small Animal Clinical Sciences (SACS)

Lopa Kher

Lopa Kher DVM, MS

PhD Candidate/ Dermatology Resident
Department: VM-RESEARCH / GRADUATE
Email: lopakherp@ufl.edu
Mailing Address:
PO Box 100126
 GAINESVILLE FL 32610
Physical Address:
2015 SW 16TH AVE
 GAINESVILLE FL 32608
Accomplishments:
  • Best-In Show (SACS) Winner
    2022 · University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine
  • Clinician-Scientist Fellowship
    2021 · American Kennel Club
  • Clinician-Scientist Fellowship
    2020 · American Kennel Club
  • International Student Achievement Award
    2018 · University of Florida
Clinical Interests:
  • Allergies
  • Atopic dermatitis
Research Interests:
  • Antimicrobial resistance (AMR or AR)
  • Atopic Dermatitis
  • Biofilm
  • Biofilms physiologic modeling
  • Staphylococcus pseudintermedius
Publications:
Grants:
  • Jan 2022 ACTIVE
    Effect of cytokines on S. pseudintermedius in planktonic as well as in biofilm state
    AMER KENNEL CLUB CANINE HLTH FOU · Principal Investigator
  • Jan 2021 – Dec 2022
    Effect of cytokines on S. pseudintermedius in planktonic as well as in biofilm state
    AMER KENNEL CLUB CANINE HLTH FOU · Principal Investigator
  • Aug 2020 – Jul 2021
    Effect(s) of atopic dermatitis-associated cytokines on Staphylococcus pseudintermedius: an in vitro and ex vivo study
    AMER KENNEL CLUB CANINE HLTH FOU · Co-Investigator
Education:
  • 2019
    Master in Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Dermatology
    University of Florida
  • 2014
    Master of Veterinary Science, Parasitology
    Maharashtra Animal & Fishery Sciences University
  • 2012
    Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry
    Maharashtra Animal & Fishery Sciences University
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