My name is Cássia, and I am a veterinarian and Ph.D. candidate in Animal Science at Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), in Bahia, Brazil. My research focuses on veterinary parasitology, particularly the detection of waterborne zoonotic parasites and their implications for animal and public health. In February 2026, I joined the Verocai Lab through the CAPES PDSE research exchange program, with the goal of expanding my knowledge in veterinary parasitology while working alongside an outstanding research team.

During my exchange, I worked primarily on projects involving the molecular detection of Angiostrongylus cantonensis in lung samples from rodents and marsupials, and Naegleria fowleri in environmental water samples. I also had the opportunity to learn new molecular and serological techniques, collaborate on a variety of research projects, and attend the annual American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists (AAVP) conference in Puerto Rico with my labmates, an opportunity made possible through the generous support of Texas A&M and the Verocai Lab.

Looking back, I feel incredibly grateful for this experience. Coming from a state university in northeastern Brazil, having the opportunity to conduct research at Texas A&M was something I had never imagined. Beyond the scientific knowledge I gained, what made this experience truly special were the people. I will always be thankful to Dr. Guilherme G. Verocai and the entire team for their mentorship, generosity, and for making me feel at home, even while I was more than 8,000 kilometers away from Brazil. I returned home with new skills, fresh perspectives, and lasting friendships that will continue to shape my career as a researcher.