Valentina Stevenson

Valentina Stevenson,

Assistant Professor – Anatomic Pathology

Department: Department of Comparative, Diagnostic & Population Medicine
Business Email: stevensovalentin@ufl.edu

About Valentina Stevenson

Valentina is an Anatomic Pathologist specializing in oncologic diseases, with a particular interest in the mechanisms of immunotolerance. Her previous work focused on exploring the immune profiles of two distinct canine neoplasia, melanoma and soft tissue sarcoma. While melanoma is highly immunogenic, it can still evade immune surveillance, whereas soft tissue sarcoma is poorly immunogenic. She conducted an evaluation of immune inhibitory checkpoint molecules and Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs), and found that despite their distinct immune profiles, the expression of these molecules was higher in malignant tumors. She also investigated the effects of Histotripsy Tumor Ablation Therapy on the expression of these molecules and observed a focal decrease associated with the treatment areas. Her findings indicate that immunotherapies targeting checkpoint molecules have great potential for efficacy in canine neoplasms, either alone or in combination with tumor ablation therapies that increase immune cell infiltration in poorly immunogenic neoplasia. At UF, Valentina plans to continue researching mechanisms of immunotolerance in neoplastic diseases, focusing on how checkpoint molecules can limit the host immune system, leading to tumor immune escape and metastasis. She is excited to explore how our understanding of the immune system can be used to develop and apply new therapeutic agents in comparative and translational medicine. Outside of work, she enjoys photography and outdoor activities with her family and dogs, including trail running.

Accomplishments

Pathology Trainee and Scholarship Award.
2022 · Davis-Thompson Foundation
VMCVM Phi Zeta Manuscript Competition winner.
2022 · Phi Zeta VMCVM
Young Investigator Award, for “Expression of immunoinhibitory checkpoint molecules in canine soft tissue sarcoma”.
2022 · American College of Veterinary Pathology. Annual Meeting. Boston, Massachusetts.
LCPG-CL Davis Foundation Travel Award.
2019 · American College of Veterinary Pathologists annual meeting. San Antonio, Texas.
Young Investigator Award, for “Mechanisms of tumorigenesis and immune tolerance in canine melanoma.
2019 · American College of Veterinary Pathologists Annual Meeting. San Antonio, Texas.

Teaching Profile

Courses Taught
2023-2025
VEM5751 Anatomic Path Core Clerkship
2023-2025
VEM5851 Adv. Anatomic Pathology Clerkship
2024
VEM5162 Vet Pathology 2

Research Profile

Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID)

0000-0003-4150-6393

Areas of Interest
  • Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy

Publications

2024
Image challenge in Veterinary Pathology: Dermatopathology.
Veterinary Pathology. 6(3):497-498 [DOI]  doi:10.1177/03009858241226657.
2024
Progressive dyspnea with chronic nasal discharge in a Percheron yearling colt
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 262(4) [DOI] https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.23.07.0386.
2023
Canine melanoma: A review of diagnostics and comparative mechanisms of disease and immunotolerance in the era of the immunotherapies
Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 9 [DOI] 10.3389/fvets.2022.1046636. [PMID] 36686160.
2023
Inhibitory checkpoint molecule mRNA expression in canine soft tissue sarcoma.
Veterinary and comparative oncology. 21(4):709-716 [DOI] 10.1111/vco.12934. [PMID] 37680007.
2023
Remdesivir increases mtDNA copy number causing mild alterations to oxidative phosphorylation.
Scientific reports. 13(1) [DOI] 10.1038/s41598-023-42704-y. [PMID] 37714940.
2022
Characterization of the Expression of Angiogenic Factors in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Domestic Cats
Veterinary Sciences. 9(7) [DOI] 10.3390/vetsci9070375. [PMID] 35878392.
2022
Interstitial pneumonia and diffuse alveolar damage in domestic animals
Veterinary Pathology. 59(4):586-601 [DOI] 10.1177/03009858221082228. [PMID] 35253541.
2021
Fibrous osteodystrophy in a dromedary camel
Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation. 33(1):144-148 [DOI] 10.1177/1040638720965252. [PMID] 33350346.
2021
PD-1, PD-L1, and PD-L2 Gene Expression and Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes in Canine Melanoma
Veterinary Pathology. 58(4):692-698 [DOI] 10.1177/03009858211011939. [PMID] 34169800.
2014
Blood Mineral Concentrations in the Endangered Huemul Deer (Hippocamelus bisulcus) from Chilean Patagonia
Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 50(1):146-149 [DOI] 10.7589/2013-03-063.

Grants

May 2024 ACTIVE
Mechanisms of immunotolerance in canine oral melanoma: an opportunity to comparative approaches
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: AMER KENNEL CLUB CANINE HLTH FOU

Education

Anatomic Pathology Residency
2022 · Virginia Tech
PhD
2022 · Virginia Polytechnic University
DVM
2012 · Austral University
Bachelor of Veterinary Science
2011 · Universidad Austral de Chile

Contact Details

Emails:
Addresses:
Business Street:
2015 SW 16TH AVE
GAINESVILLE FL 32608