Julya Nathalya Felix Chaves is a veterinary researcher specializing in neurology, neuroanatomy, and surgical interventions in small animals. Born in Santana do Livramento, Brazil, she has developed a strong academic and research trajectory within veterinary medicine, focusing on improving surgical protocols and postoperative care. Julya is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Veterinary Medicine at the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), where she also completed her master’s and undergraduate studies. Her dedication to veterinary clinical research is evident through her involvement in multiple experimental and clinical projects, both completed and ongoing, that address critical neurological conditions in animals. Julya has contributed to several initiatives that combine clinical practice, research innovation, and community service, aiming to improve veterinary neurological care, particularly in regions with limited access to advanced diagnostic tools. Her expertise extends to managing multidisciplinary teams and providing veterinary neurological services to communities beyond the university setting. Julya’s work reflects a commitment to bridging clinical gaps, promoting animal welfare, and expanding scientific knowledge in veterinary medicine. Her research holds significant potential to enhance clinical outcomes and establish more accessible treatment standards within veterinary neurology.
Professional Profile
Education
Julya Nathalya Felix Chaves has pursued a comprehensive academic pathway in veterinary medicine at the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Brazil. She is currently engaged in a Ph.D. program in Veterinary Medicine, focusing on advanced neurological studies under the supervision of Professor Alexandre Mazzanti. Prior to her doctoral studies, she completed her master’s degree in Veterinary Medicine at UFSM in 2024, where her thesis explored the neurological recovery of cats with epidural lymphoma treated with chemotherapy. This master’s research provided her with in-depth knowledge of neuro-oncology and veterinary therapeutics. Her academic foundation was laid during her undergraduate studies in Veterinary Medicine at UFSM from 2016 to 2022, which offered her significant exposure to clinical practice and research methodologies. Additionally, she completed her high school education at Escola Estadual Ensino Médio Cilon Rosa in Santa Maria in 2015. Throughout her academic journey, Julya consistently secured scholarships, including support from the Brazilian Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), which enabled her to immerse herself fully in both academic studies and applied research. Her educational background showcases a clear progression toward specialization in veterinary neurology and clinical research.
Professional Experience
Julya Nathalya Felix Chaves has built extensive professional experience through a combination of research activities, clinical internships, and community-focused veterinary services. She has been closely associated with the Federal University of Santa Maria, where she engaged in multiple extracurricular internships, including in the Neurology and Neurophysiology Service of the University’s Veterinary Hospital. Her clinical experience spans both hospital settings and community-based services, where she provided medical assistance to animals and training to veterinary students. Julya’s professional involvement includes working as a scholarship holder in various research and extension projects, contributing to clinical care, surgical procedures, and postoperative evaluations. Her internships also extend to private veterinary clinics such as VetCenter and Chatterie Centro de Saúde do Gato, where she focused on clinical and surgical care for small animals, particularly felines. Julya’s diverse roles in academic research projects and veterinary extension services demonstrate her capability to apply scientific research to real-world clinical cases. Her continuous engagement with multidisciplinary teams highlights her adaptability and leadership in managing both clinical routines and complex surgical cases, further reinforcing her hands-on expertise in veterinary neurology and small animal care.
Research Interest
Julya Nathalya Felix Chaves’s research interests are strongly centered on veterinary neurology, spinal cord surgery, postoperative pain management, and innovative diagnostic methodologies. Her projects primarily focus on improving surgical interventions and clinical outcomes for small animals suffering from spinal cord injuries, intervertebral disc disease, and other neurological conditions. She has a profound interest in exploring safer, more effective surgical techniques such as hemilaminectomy combined with durotomy to prevent severe complications like progressive myelomalacia in paraplegic dogs. Julya is also dedicated to developing accessible measurement methods using digital radiography to optimize implant positioning in spinal surgeries, which could significantly benefit veterinary practices in regions with limited access to advanced imaging technologies. Additionally, her research extends to pharmacological studies on the plasma concentration of drugs like tranexamic acid to establish more effective dosing protocols for hemostasis in veterinary medicine. She has investigated analgesic strategies, comparing transdermal fentanyl and injectable methadone to enhance postoperative pain control. Her interest in clinical neurology and innovative veterinary approaches is evident through her proactive participation in projects that aim to bring specialized neurological services to underserved communities, demonstrating both her academic curiosity and her commitment to practical animal care.
Research Skills
Julya Nathalya Felix Chaves possesses a comprehensive set of research skills that span clinical, surgical, pharmacological, and diagnostic domains in veterinary medicine. She is proficient in designing and executing complex veterinary studies involving both clinical trials and experimental methodologies. Julya has developed expertise in conducting neurological evaluations, spinal surgeries such as hemilaminectomies, and assessing postoperative neurological recovery in small animals. Her technical skills include precise radiographic and tomographic measurements for surgical planning, as well as performing durotomy procedures under surgical microscopes with high magnification. She is also adept in pharmacokinetic studies, utilizing advanced analytical techniques such as liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry for plasma concentration analyses. Julya has hands-on experience with veterinary anesthesia protocols, analgesic efficacy evaluations, and post-surgical care. Her research methodology is rigorous, incorporating randomized clinical trial designs and statistical analysis to validate her findings. Additionally, she demonstrates strong project management skills, coordinating multi-level academic teams and ensuring compliance with ethical research standards. Her work in community veterinary projects reflects her ability to apply research outcomes in practical, real-world settings, further enhancing her problem-solving and clinical decision-making capabilities.
Awards and Honors
Julya Nathalya Felix Chaves has been recognized for her academic excellence and research potential through several prestigious scholarships and project selections. Throughout her academic journey, she was consistently awarded scholarships by the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), a testament to her dedication and high academic performance. She has been actively involved in projects funded by significant research bodies such as PIBIC/CNPq/UFSM, highlighting her early integration into research-driven environments. Julya’s selection for various leading roles in extension projects and her consistent involvement in community-based veterinary services indicate the recognition of her clinical skills and research capabilities by her peers and academic supervisors. While no specific individual research awards are currently listed, her achievements in securing competitive research funding, her leadership in major projects, and her ability to combine clinical service with scientific inquiry position her as a rising contributor in veterinary medicine. As she progresses through her Ph.D. and continues to publish her research, she is well-positioned to achieve further academic honors, professional distinctions, and possibly recognition at national and international levels for her contributions to veterinary neurology and surgical innovation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Julya Nathalya Felix Chaves is a highly promising veterinary researcher whose dedication to advancing neurological care in animals is evident throughout her academic and professional journey. Her integrated approach, which combines rigorous scientific research with practical clinical application, addresses real-world challenges in veterinary medicine, particularly in the areas of spinal cord injuries and postoperative management. Julya’s focus on developing accessible diagnostic and surgical methodologies demonstrates her commitment to improving animal welfare and expanding veterinary capabilities in both urban and rural settings. Her leadership in collaborative research projects and community-based veterinary services highlights her ability to bridge academic research with societal needs. Although her international exposure and publication record could be further expanded to strengthen her global impact, Julya’s consistent contributions and innovative research directions suggest she is on a trajectory toward becoming a notable figure in veterinary neurology. With continued academic development and professional engagement, she has the potential to make significant, lasting contributions to her field, influencing both clinical practices and veterinary education for years to come.