A Calling Rooted in Science and Compassion
What first inspired your path into veterinary medicine and research?
I entered college with the plan to study marine biology but soon changed my focus to veterinary medicine as I learned more about the field. A career in veterinary medicine would allow me to work with animals, and I was impressed with the different career paths that are available to veterinarians. Studying neuroanatomy during my first year of veterinary school led to my decision to specialize in neurology; I remember being fascinated by the nervous system and our ability to understand its function. Although I was exposed to research as an undergraduate, I did not consider the idea of becoming a researcher until my residency training during which I was mentored through all aspects of a research project – from identifying a study problem and formulating a hypothesis, to designing and conducting the study, and then analyzing results and disseminating the findings – and I found the process to be extremely rewarding. I came to understand that research discoveries are what propel the advancement of veterinary practice, and this inspired me to pursue a position that would allow me to continue to be involved in research.
Research with Purpose
How has working with dogs shaped your approach to research?
My desire from the start of my career was to perform research that addresses clinical problems of companion animals. My introduction into the field of canine epilepsy research was rather serendipitous; I was an early researcher at North Carolina State University, and a cardiologist in the department asked me if I was interested in studying a medical device for epilepsy in dogs that one of his colleagues was proposing. I agreed, and I quickly realized that this field of research was a perfect fit for me. It allowed me the opportunity to perform clinical studies on my patients to investigate a serious and prevalent naturally occurring disease, with the goal of improving the lives of dogs with epilepsy and their caregivers.
Expanding the Boundaries of Discovery
What questions are you most excited to explore right now?
Drug-resistant epilepsy continues to receive a lot of attention in both human and veterinary epilepsy. Why do some individuals respond poorly to antiseizure drugs? This is an area that I find very interesting and have focused much of my work on. The introduction of novel diagnostic techniques, such as functional MRI and high throughput PCR, has provided tools to explore drug resistance in new ways.
From Observation to Breakthrough Potential
Why does this research matter for dogs and their owners?
Approximately one-third of dogs with epilepsy are drug-resistant and suffer from poorly controlled seizures. This has a negative impact on the dog’s quality of life and can place a tremendous burden on caregivers. Understanding why some dogs respond poorly to treatment, and developing methods to address this, is critical to improving the lives of dogs with epilepsy and the people who care for them.
The Power of Collaboration
How do partnerships shape and strengthen your research?
Partnerships have been an integral part of my success as a researcher. During my first epilepsy study, I realized how fortunate I was to be able to work with a motivated group of pet owners who enthusiastically supported my research. This support solidified my desire to focus my research on epilepsy. Over the years, I have been privileged to work with a variety of individuals, including veterinarians, basic science researchers, pet owners, breed clubs, and canine epilepsy support groups. All of these collaborations are based on the shared goal of advancing science and improving the well-being of dogs.
Longtime collaborations with researchers like Dr. Muñana towards that shared goal are made possible by the generosity of dog lovers like you. Help CHF support this research today at akcchf.org/donate.
Driven by Connection and Curiosity
What keeps you motivated to continue this work?
My motivation comes from my patients and their caregivers. Witnessing a novel treatment or form of intervention have a direct, positive impact on the quality of life of a dog and their family is tremendously rewarding. There have been notable advances in the treatment of epilepsy over the years, but there is still a lot that we don’t understand about the disorder, and these unanswered questions keep me focused on pursuing this work.
