Research/Areas of Interest:
Tick-borne diseases with an emphasis on host-tick-Rickettsia interactions using a guinea pig model.
Education
- MBA, Mississippi State University, MS, United States
- PhD, University of Georgia, United States, 2004
- DVM, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, United States, 2001
- BS, Rutgers University, United States, 1997
Biography
Dr. Varela-Stokes is a veterinary scientist that began her research interests in parasitology while completing her undergraduate degree at Rutgers University. After entering Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine to pursue a DVM, she continued her research interests with wildlife parasites during summer projects in Kenya. She went on to earn her PhD in Infectious Diseases at the University of Georgia, working with tick-borne pathogens and other tick-associated bacteria. Following post-doctoral work supported by NIH K08 grant, she entered a faculty position at Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine, where she grew her research program, co-led by Mr. John Stokes.
Currently, her primary role is leading the Department of Comparative Pathobiology, specifically building on strengths in CPB that promote the health and well-being of all species. Her research program continues to focus on tick-borne disease, with an emphasis on develpoing the guinea pig model for understanding host-tick-Rickettsia interactions.
Much of her teaching has been related to parasitology and vector-borne diseases, and she also uses her parasitology background as a parasitology consultant and diagnostician, when needed.
Currently, her primary role is leading the Department of Comparative Pathobiology, specifically building on strengths in CPB that promote the health and well-being of all species. Her research program continues to focus on tick-borne disease, with an emphasis on develpoing the guinea pig model for understanding host-tick-Rickettsia interactions.
Much of her teaching has been related to parasitology and vector-borne diseases, and she also uses her parasitology background as a parasitology consultant and diagnostician, when needed.