Research
Dr. Guerra’s early work focused on fetal development studies specially the effect of in-utero programming in neonatal lambs. This work showed the effects of hypernatremia on the fetus and its long term effect on new born lambs. Based on the results obtained from these studies the department of obstetrics and gynecology has developed a rat model of in-utero imprinting that has shown the relation between food restriction of dams and the presentation of obesity on their offspring.
Additionally, she has also participated in research conducted by the department of pediatrics on the effects of enzyme replacement therapy for mucopolysaccharidosis type I (Hurler syndrome) in dogs specially in the effects of such treatment when given intrathecal and intra-articular. This work has now moved to human trials and has opened the door for similar work to be conducted on similar diseases such as mucopolysaccharidosis type III (Sanfilippo syndrome) in the mouse model.
Biography
Dr. Catalina Guerra currently serves as the Director and Attending Veterinarian of the C. W. Steers Biological Resources Center (BRC) at The Lundquist Institute. She is responsible for the animal program at the Institution as well as planning, overseeing and conducting veterinary medical care, handling and restraining animals, providing anesthesia, analgesia, and euthanasia, surgical and post-surgical care, ensuring proper and humane animal care and use during experimentation, directing and supervising activities in the BRC.
She serves as the veterinarian on the IACUC, trains investigators, technicians and caretakers, makes changes or recommendations, ensure compliance with regulations, and assists in monitoring compliance with Occupational Health and Safety programs. She is responsible for the animal health monitoring program and has been a laboratory animal veterinarian for 21 years with ample experience in developing animal models for perinatology studies in species such as sheep, rabbits, and rats.