A study by doctoral student Josefa Garcia Mora on canine brain tumor measurement has become one of the most cited papers in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 

Garcia’s work, published in 2022, focused on comparing different methods of measuring gliomas in dogs using MRI scans, examining 143 scans from 46 dogs with confirmed gliomas, or tumors that arise from glial cells, which support and protect nerve cells in the brain. 

The study's findings revealed that while all methods were reliable, the total T2W tumor volume (TTV) method provided the best balance of efficiency and accuracy. This method was the most consistent across different raters and correlated strongly with patient survival rates. 

This impactful research, reported to be one of the most cited articles by Clarivate Analytics in 2022 and 2023, was conducted as part of Garcia’s Ph.D. studies at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, where she has successfully combined clinical work during her radiology internship in the veterinary teaching hospital at Virginia Tech with research.  

"I feel like now I'm combining both sides, and I'm really enjoying it," said Garcia, referring to her blend of clinical work and research. 

Her journey from southern Chile to Virginia Tech is part of a broader international collaboration between Virginia Tech and the Austral University of Chile, which has been ongoing since 1996. This longstanding partnership has facilitated exchange programs that have enriched both institutions, emphasizing the value of international collaborations in advancing veterinary medicine and research. 

Garcia's work serves as a prime example of how these partnerships can lead to significant contributions in the field, benefiting animal health on a global scale. 

Gliomas are particularly challenging to treat due to their location within the brain, their tendency to infiltrate surrounding healthy tissue, and their ability to resist traditional cancer treatments. In both humans and dogs, gliomas can cause a range of neurological symptoms and are often life-threatening.  

John Rossmeisl, the Dr. and Mrs. Dorsey Taylor Mahin Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, commented on the significance of this research: "Dr Garcia’s work represents an important step forward in standardizing how we measure and assess gliomas in dogs. This improves our ability to track tumor progression and treatment response and enhances the value of canine glioma models in translational research for human brain tumors." 

The implications of this research extend beyond improving measurement techniques. By standardizing how veterinarians assess brain tumors, Garcia's work could lead to more consistent diagnoses and better evaluation of treatment effectiveness across different clinics and studies. 

Looking ahead, Garcia sees potential for further improving tumor assessment through artificial intelligence and machine learning. She is already incorporating some of these techniques into her thesis work. 

With the completion of her Ph.D. close at hand, Garcia is setting her sights on the next step in her career. She plans to pursue a residency in radiology with a focus on neuroimaging.  

As her research continues to gain recognition, Garcia remains focused on the goal of improving the lives of animals. 

"I really like the mix of clinical and research," she said. “You are in the field, you can make more impact, and you're giving your feedback right there."

Garcia also acknowledges the support and guidance she has received from her committee members John Rossmeisl, Greg Daniel, Rell Parker, and Kurt Zimmerman.

“I feel very fortunate to have amazing professors supporting and helping me during my PhD and internship, specially to Dr. Rossmeisl who has been an outstanding mentor for me” 

Contact:

Tags

Share this story