Food Animal Health and Management, Department of Population Health, Production Medicine Service, Reproductive Medicine Service, Veterinary Teaching Hospital
Professor
Expertise
Farm Practice | Food Animal Production Medicine | Theriogenology
Biography
I was born in Maracaibo, Venezuela, a very warm, colorful, coastal city with a great cultural and geographical importance for the development of the region. With no doubts, Venezuela is one of the most beautiful countries on Earth, not only for the natural and economic resources, but also for our lovely and diverse people. I grew up having all kinds of pets and my love for animals determined that I wanted to be a veterinarian since I was in kindergarten. I am truly thankful to God for his blessings, for the wonderful opportunities in my veterinary medicine career and personal life.
Research Interests
Dr. Palomares’ lab and research team is called GRAVID (Latin Gravis – heavy; pregnant female) is the Group for Reproduction in Animals, Vaccinology & Infectious Diseases in the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia. GRAVID performs research that enhances animal health and reproductive performance, positively impacts the animal industry and inspires future veterinarians worldwide. GRAVID’s integrative program focuses on the improvement of reproductive performance and prevention of infectious diseases to benefit the livestock industry, veterinarians and producers. GRAVID links researchers, veterinary practitioners, producers, and the industry to pursue a common goal – improving animal health and reproduction. His research interest is focused on Immunopathogenesis, prevention and control of infectious diseases that affect cattle production and reproduction, especially viruses that cause respiratory and reproductive diseases (e.g. BVDV & IBR). His research program currently consists of four major research lines:
1) Optimizing vaccination and artificial insemination protocols to enhance health and reproductive efficiency of Georgia’s beef cattle. 2) Virus vaccination on the ovarian function and oocyte competence for in vitro fertilization and embryo development in beef heifers. 3) Strategies to enhance the immune response following vaccination (e.g. injectable trace minerals) to prevent respiratory and reproductive disease in cattle. 4) Intranasal administration of minerals to enhance the respiratory microbiome diversity and abundance and prevention of bovine respiratory disease
Current Graduate Students:
- Daniel Argudo (2024 – Present)
Mentored Graduate Alumni:
- Alejandro Hoyos, DVM (PhD, 2021)
- Adriana Rodriguez (MS, 2020)
- Sara Kirks (MS, 2020)
- Alivia Rohrer (MS, 2019)
- Joao Bittar (PhD, 2019)
Graduate Advisory Committee Memberships
- Kayla Jean Alward (MS ADS, 2019)
- Matthew Holton (MS ADS, 2022)
- Yu Li (MS Ohio State University, 2024)
- Patricia Xavier (MS, 2025)
- Flavio Cargnin Faccin (PhD, CVM, 2025)
- Shaun Van Den Hurk (PhD, Present)
- Dikshya Regmi (PhD, Present)
- Daniela Cortes (MS, Present)
Projects:
- Effects of melatonin on oxidative stress, oocytes competence, embryo development and pregnancy outcomes in prepubertal dairy heifers submitted to ultrasound-guided ovum pick up
- Efficacy of vaccination with Coronavirus and Rotavirus in dairy cattle.
- Effect of injectable trace minerals (zinc, manganese, selenium and copper) on the humoral and cell-mediated immune responses and protection against BVDV and BHV1 following administration of modified-live viral vaccines in dairy and beef calves.
- Assessment of timing of ovulation and pregnancy outcomes in dairy and beef heifers treated with a Monday-Friday 4-day Co-Synch + CIDR + timed artificial insemination (TAI) protocol.
- Strategies to improve pregnancy outcomes in dairy heifers artificially inseminated with sex-sorted semen.
Educational Background
- PhD in Biomedical Sciences (infectious diseases), Auburn University (2012)
- Minor in Statistics in Biomedical Sciences, Auburn University (2012)
- Residency in Food Animal Theriogenology, Auburn University (2009-2012)
- Board Certified (Diplomate) in the American College of Theriogenologists (2011)
- Master of Science (Animal Reproduction), University of Zulia; Maracaibo, Venezuela (2002)
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zulia; Maracaibo, Venezuela (1998)
Activities
- GA Representative for the Experiment Station NC1192 (NIMSS) “An integrated approach for the control of Bovine Respiratory Diseases (2017 – Present)
- American College of Theriogenologists & Society for Theriogenology. Member of the Scientific committee. (2022-2025).
- Coordinator and Coach of the UGA-CVM Bovine Palpation Team (2018– Present)
- Reviewer of multiple scientific and veterinary journals (animal disease and reproduction).
Teaching Experience
Dr. Palomares’ clinical expertise involves food animal theriogenology (male and female), bovine production medicine, development of herd health programs, outbreak investigations, with special focus on improvement of reproductive performance in cattle, prevention and control of infectious infertility and abortions. He teaches bovine theriogenology within the course Urinary and Reproductive Systems II (VETM5293). Dr. Palomares coordinates the clinical rotation “Advanced Bovine Theriogenology (POPH 5477)”.
Selected Publications
- Faccin FC, Gay LC, Regmi D, Palomares RA, Perez DR, et al. Experimental infection and viral pathogenesis of a human isolate of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza strain in Jersey cows. Nature: npj Veterinary Sciences. 2026 1:2.
- Hoyos-Jaramillo A, Palomares RA, Bittar JHJ, et al. Circulating T cell subpopulations in dairy calves infected with Bovine viral diarrhea virus 2 and Bovine herpes virus 1 following modified-live virus booster vaccination: Effects of the administration route and trace mineral supplementation. Vet Immunol Immunopathol. 2025; 280:110871.
- Hoyos-Jaramillo A, Palomares RA, Bittar JHJ, et al. Effects of injectable trace minerals (Se, Zn, Cu, and Mn) administration on the immune response elicited by primary intranasal modified-live virus vaccination in dairy calves. Vet Res Commun. 2025; 49(2):76.
- Alward KJ, Graves WM, Palomares RA, et al. Evaluating the relationships between anti-Müllerian hormone, milk production, estrous expression and first service conception rate in lactating dairy cows. Theriogenology. 2025; 248:117598.
- Perea FP, Pulla AM, Palomares RA, et al. Moon cycle influences calving frequency, gestation length and calf weight at birth, but not offspring sex proportion in tropical crossbred cattle. Chronobiol Int. 2024; 41(12):1533–1544.
- Li Y, Palomares RA, Liu M, et al. Isolation and Characterization of Contemporary Bovine Coronavirus Strains. Viruses. 2024; 16(6):965.
- Palomares RA, Ferrer MS, Jones AL. Role of trace minerals in cow’s reproductive function and performance: a clinical theriogenology perspective. Clinical Theriogenology 2024, 16, 10529.
- Megahed AA, Bittar JHJ, Palomares RA, et al. Evaluation of the stress-reducing effect of trace mineral injection in beef calves. J Vet Intern Med 2023 37(3):1278-1285.
- Palomares RA. Trace minerals supplementation with great impact on beef cattle immunity and health. Animal 2022; 12 (20): 2839.
- Hoyos-Jaramillo A, Palomares RA, Bittar JH, et al. Clinical status and endoscopy of the upper respiratory tract of dairy calves infected with Bovine viral diarrhea virus 2 and Bovine herpes virus 1 after vaccination and trace minerals injection. Res Vet Sci 2022; 152: 582-595.
- Ferrer MS, Palomares RA, Hurley DJ, et al. Changes in serum testosterone and anti-Müllerian hormone concentration in bulls undergoing scrotal insulation. Domest Anim Endocrinol. 2021 16; 78:106685.
- Palomares RA, Bittar JHJ, Woolums AR, et al. Comparison of the immune response following subcutaneous versus intranasal modified-live virus booster vaccination against bovine respiratory disease in pre-weaning beef calves that had received primary vaccination by the intranasal route. Vet Immunol Immunopathol. 2021, 237: 110254.
- Alward KJ, Graves WM, Palomares RA, et al. Characterizing Anti-Müllerian Hormone concentration and change over time in Holstein dairy cattle. Theriogenology. 2021, 168: 83-89.
- Aguirre AA, Palomares RA, Perea FP, et al. Lunar cycle influences reproductive performance of crossbred Brahman cows under tropical conditions. Journal of Biological Rhythms. 2021, 36:160-168.
- Bittar JHJ, Palomares RA, Hurley DJ, et al. Immune response and onset of protection from Bovine viral diarrhea virus 2 infection induced by modified-live virus vaccination concurrent with injectable trace minerals administration in newly received beef calves. Vet Immunol and Immunopathol 225. 2020 110055.
- Chamorro MF, Palomares RA. Bovine respiratory disease vaccination. Modified-live virus versus Killed-virus vaccine; parenteral versus intranasal vaccine; what is the evidence? .Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract. 2020 36(2):461-472.
- Ferrer MS, Palomares RA, Hurley HJ, et al. Antisperm antibodies and sperm function in bulls undergoing scrotal insulation. Reproduction 2020 160 783–792.
(see all publications at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=palomares+ra).
