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Our Work
We are a multidisciplinary team of professionals and researchers from the University of Chile, focused on the prudent use of antimicrobials and antimicrobial resistance in aquaculture, specifically in salmon production.
As Collaborating Centre of the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) our objective is to contribute to the development of capacities of the Veterinary Services of aquatic animals in the Americas Region, provide them with scientific knowledge and offer advice in the field of our competence, especially in the prudent use of antimicrobials in aquaculture according to the standards of the Aquatic Code of the WOAH Strategy.
Our objectives
1. Provide support to WOAH's aquatic delegates and focal points.
2. Apoyo a los delegados y puntos focales acuáticos de la OMSA.
3. Provision of practical guidance on antimicrobial stewardship and antimicrobial resistance in aquaculture.
4. Strengthen public-private partnerships to contain AMR and promote the prudent use of antimicrobials in animal production.
5. Study and disseminate alternatives to the use of antimicrobials and immunity enhancement in aquatic species.
6. Research into technologies that improve the effectiveness of antimicrobials in aquatic animals.
7. Support decision-making based on scientific information.
TEAM CASA
Javiera Cornejo
Executive Director
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Profesora Titular Universidad de Chile, PhD en Ciencias Silvoagropecuarias y Veterinarias
As Executive Director of the CASA Collaborating Center, she leads, manages, and promotes the center's comprehensive strategy, driving research initiatives, policy development, and training in responsible antimicrobial stewardship in aquaculture.
Su rol es clave para garantizar el cumplimiento de los estándares de calidad y ética en todas las actividades.
Alicia Gallardo
Senior advisor
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M.V y Presidenta de la comisión de animales acuáticos de la OMSA
As a Senior Advisor, she provides strategic and technical advice on the development of initiatives related to responsible antimicrobial management in aquaculture. Her work is essential to strengthening research, policymaking, and training in the prudent use of antimicrobials, contributing to compliance with international standards and positioning the center as a global leader in the field.
Dr. Marcela Lara
Senior advisor
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M.V. holds a Master of Science degree and is a technical advisor to the Salmon Council.
As Senior Advisor at the WOAH CASA Collaborating Center, she plays a key role in providing strategic and technical guidance to the center's initiatives. Her work focuses on strengthening public/private policies, applied research, and promoting best practices in the use of antimicrobials in aquaculture. She also contributes to consolidating key partnerships and positioning the center as an international benchmark in the field.
José Manuel Yáñez
Dean Favet – LabGen Laboratory Director
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Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences of the University of Chile, PhD in Forestry, Agriculture, and Veterinary Sciences
As Executive Director of the Aquaculture Genomics Laboratory (LabGen), he leads research into the genetic improvement of aquaculture species.
Dr. Aldo Maddaleno
Deputy Director of the Farmavet Laboratory
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M.V and PhD in Forestry, Agricultural, and Veterinary Sciences
Como Subdirector del Laboratorio de Farmacología Veterinaria (Farmavet), se encarga de coordinar al equipo de investigación e implementar mejoras de sistemas y nuevas líneas de investigación científica bajo circunstancias nacionales o internacionales.
Jurij Wacyk
CRIA Center Director
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Agricultural Engineer, Master's degree in Animal Nutrition from the University of Chile and PhD in Fish Physiology from the University of Idaho, USA
As Director of the Center for Research and Innovation in Aquaculture (CRIA), he promotes the center's research, development, and innovation to increase the efficiency and sustainability of aquaculture.