Dear Members of the Scholarship Committee,
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to once again express my deep appreciation for the invaluable opportunity I received through the WCVD Scholarship and to share with you the tangible outcomes and progress of my dissemination plan.
Since attending the World Congress of Veterinary Dermatology, I have been committed to applying and sharing the knowledge gained through a variety of academic, clinical, and collaborative initiatives—both nationally and internationally.
In my private clinical practice, I have experienced a marked improvement in diagnostic precision and therapeutic outcomes, especially in complicated cases. This has led to an increase in interconsultations with colleagues throughout the country, facilitating a collaborative network where complex dermatological cases are now discussed and resolved with greater accuracy and confidence.
At the University of Panama, I have started my work with student research groups, developing projects on topics such as:
- Lynxacarus radovsky prevalence on stray felines living on campus,
- Lynxacarus radovsky in clinical settings,
- Suspected Pythium infections in horses and cattle, and
- Microbiome changes in allergic dogs.
The partial results of the first two research projects were submitted for consideration as posters to the upcoming Latin American Association of Veterinary Dermatology Congress, reflecting our commitment to contribute to the regional academic dialogue.
A cornerstone of this dissemination has been personal mentorship. I’ve worked closely with both students and professional colleagues across the country, some in person and others via online platforms, offering continuous support, guidance, and academic reinforcement in dermatology-related topics.
A major milestone was the organization of a comprehensive one-week seminar, delivered in collaboration with the University of Panama and its “International Summer School” projects . This event featured a blend of theoretical and practical components covering critical topics such as:
- Antimicrobial stewardship,
- Advances in microbiome research,
- Diagnosis and management of allergic diseases,
- Dermatology in non-
- conventional species
- Dermatological cytology, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and dermatoscopy.
The seminar included live clinical sessions, interactive case discussions, and a cytology workshop, all of which allowed students and colleagues to put theory into practice in real time.
A lecture about FAD Diagnosis and treatment was presented as part of the Annual Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Congress.
On an international scale, I have also had the privilege of sharing the knowledge acquired at the WCVD through a series of invited lectures and presentations. These include:
- In-person talks in Honduras, and El Salvador (Sponsored by Purina ProPlanCAM)
- Web-based lectures for professional audiences in Colombia (Asociación Colombiana de Dermatología Veterinaria) and Brazil (Dermatonline web seminar).
Furthermore, I am currently coordinating a new seminar in partnership with IVSA Panama, which will extend these educational efforts to an even broader student audience.
All these activities reflect the long-term impact of the WCVD Scholarship, not only in enhancing my personal and professional development but also in advancing veterinary dermatology education, research, and clinical practice in Panama and the region.
Thank you once again for your confidence and support. I am committed to continuing this work and further expanding the network of knowledge, collaboration, and professional excellence that this opportunity has made possible.
With sincere appreciation,
Anaís G. Villarreal Laguna
DVM, MSc.
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Panama