Couto

MARCELO A. COUTO, DVM, PH.D.

coutoExecutive Director, DLAM, Associate Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, UCLA Campus Veterinarian

Tools and Techniques: Veterinary electrocardiography and echocardiography; assisted reproductive technologies (ART); preclinical toxicology and device (GLP) studies for FDA approval.

Email: mcouto@mednet.ucla.edu

Interests: Laboratory animal science, animal models, genetically modified mice, veterinary cardiology, comparative reproductive biology.

Personal Statement:
I am currently a veterinarian and administrator with a rich former life in various disciplines, including animal reproduction (equine OB/GYN) at UC Davis as an intern, resident and PhD graduate student in Comparative Pathology; canine, feline and equine cardiology in my native Argentina; and captivating postdoctoral bench research into natural antibiotic peptides on a T32 NIH Training grant at UCLA under the mentorship of Tom Ganz and Bob Lehrer. I was able to apply much of my knowledge of reproductive biology acquired at Davis to our current ART Lab (“Mouse Fertility Clinic”) at UCLA, where we provide services ranging from embryo transfer rederivation, to in vitro fertilization (IVF), embryo/gamete cryopreservation to ovarian transplantation and — soon to be offered– microinjection of embryonic stem cells and genetically modified DNA for the generation of transgenic, knock-out and knock-in mouse lines. My former experience in veterinary cardiology came in quite handy during the conduct of pivotal Cardiac Physiology labs at UCLA during the 1990s, under the direction of Ken Roos and Gordon Ross as well as the upcoming Comparative Cardiology teaching along with Barbara Natterson. Our outstanding DLAM veterinary and technical staff is well versed in animal pathology, creation of surgical animal models, specialized breeding techniques, and overall excellent veterinary care.