A Passion for Animals Meets the Power of Research
By Chloe Leib
When she was young, Gabriela Hery had dreams of becoming a veterinarian. It was not until working at the UF Small Animal Hospital in 2015 when she met her current mentor, Rowan Milner, B.V.Sc., Ph.D., that she discovered her love for research.
While shadowing in the Comparative Oncology Research Lab and participating in the Oncology Laboratory Journal Club, Hery was introduced to the world of scientific inquiry. She realized she was passionate about research and how it could play a crucial role not only in advancing veterinary medicine, but also in improving human health.
“I’ve learned that it’s not just the doctors who interact with patients who can make a difference; it’s also the researchers working behind the scenes who are driving innovation,” said Hery, who is currently a student in the Veterinary Medical Sciences Ph.D. program working with Milner, a professor of medical oncology in the UF College of Veterinary Medicine and a member of the UF Health Cancer Center. “I know that in this career path, I can still make an impact on the lives of patients and, even better, I can help us understand the complex biology of osteosarcoma, which I could not do in the clinic.”
“I know that in this career path, I can still make an impact on the lives of patients and, even better, I can help us understand the complex biology of osteosarcoma, which I could not do in the clinic.”
Hery began her journey in higher education at Indian River State College, where she earned her associate degree in pre-medicine/pre-dental/pre-veterinary/pre-physical therapy. She transferred to the University of Florida, where she earned her bachelor’s degrees in animal science and animal biology. Her thirst for knowledge did not stop there: She returned to UF for a second bachelor’s degree in microbiology and cell science, along with a minor in bioinformatics, and completed those studies in 2023.
Research with a dual focus: cancer, technology, and disease
Hery’s experience took a pivotal turn in 2011 when she joined the lab of Stefan Prokop, M.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine in the UF College of Medicine, whose research focuses on the human brain and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. She developed a fascination with spatial transcriptomic technologies, which are innovative methods that allow researchers to spatially map gene expression within tissues. She realized this technology could be applied to veterinary medicine, particularly to study cancer in animals.
Hery’s current research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of osteosarcoma (a bone cancer), specifically comparing gene expression profiles and lipid distributions in canine and human osteosarcoma.
By using spatial biology techniques, she is working to understand how certain lipids, which are highly upregulated in this cancer, impact disease progression. She is particularly interested in unraveling the biosynthetic pathways of these lipids, a critical step in developing targeted therapies for both canine and human patients.
The intersection of veterinary and human medicine
One of the biggest challenges of the Veterinary Medical Sciences Ph.D. program is the intense competition to gain admission due to the limited number of programs in the United States. But for those who succeed, the opportunities are vast. Veterinary researchers have the chance to work across species, from livestock to pets, with an increasing focus on collaboration and translational relevance between veterinary and human medicine.
Hery’s research is a perfect example of this intersection, given that osteosarcoma affects both canines and children.
“Blending veterinary care with human health excites me since I can make a broader impact on both animal and human lives,” she said.
A career built on learning, collaboration, and teaching
Looking ahead, Hery hopes to continue contributing to cancer biology, particularly in osteosarcoma.
“Ultimately, my goal is to contribute to a deeper understanding of cancer biology of canines and pediatric osteosarcoma, but also to be continuously learning and trying to tackle complex problems,” she said. “I want to contribute to advancements in the field and to support fellow researchers in achieving success in their work.”
In addition to her work in molecular biology and bioinformatics, Hery is enthusiastic about the use of cutting-edge technologies that were once feasible only for human and mouse studies. Companies like Nanostring and 10x Genomics are creating assays that are species agnostic, allowing veterinary researchers with all types of species to do high-resolution gene expression analysis. Also, bioinformatic tools and AI are making the analysis of digital pathology sides and big genomic data more user-friendly.
Life beyond the lab
When not in the lab, Hery enjoys running on the treadmill, yoga, Pilates, and rock climbing.
