My main research interest is to improve the understanding of infectious fish disease pathogenesis and resistance, and research in pathology morphometric approaches. I also provide pathology input on a range of collaborative research projects (e.g. squirrel leprosy, canine mast cell tumour metastasis, pulmonary hypertension models, radiation induced lung injury models, and surgical approaches to canine liver biopsy sampling).

My main research interest is in piscine pathology. More specifically I have a strong interest on the research of fish diseases affecting aquaculture species, and promoting scientific understanding that can be translated to the effective control of these diseases.

My basic approach to this research is the use of techniques including histopathology, immunohistochemistry, bacteriology, virology, and molecular diagnostic tools, interpreted in the context of genomic studies of the host and aetiological agent. 

I also have an strong interest in comparative research using zebrafish as a model, and have worked in the development of a model of steroidogenesis using zebrafish.

Last but not least, as a working diagnostic veterinary pathologist, I have a strong interest in the pathogenesis and gross, microscopic and ultrastructural presentation of disease in all animal species, as well as clinical research in collaboration with my veterinary colleagues at the animal hospitals of the EBVC.

I am a lecturer in veterinary pathology at the EBVC and in this role, I am involved in teaching of both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Most of my undergraduate teaching is taken up by the final year (5th year) pathology rotation.  During these weeks of rotation I guide the students through skills such as postmortem examination technique, histopathology, and pathogenesis of veterinary disease in a range of species, including both domestic and exotic species.  A smaller proportion of my time is taken lecturing third year students.  I am currently in charge of teaching cardiovascular system.

Regarding postgraduate teaching, this time is mostly taken up by pathology resident training.  This involves mentoring the development of residents towards achieving a standard of veterinary pathology knowledge.  This will enable them to sit sucessfully any one of the board examinations available in our speciality (i.e. European College of Veterinary Pathology, Royal College of pathologists, or the American College of Veterinary Pathology).  For this purpose I am involved in regular gross and histology rounds, journal rounds and mentoring.

Jorge received his degree in veterinary medicine from the University of León (Spain) in 2000. Soon afterwards, he moved to the South West of England, where he worked in meat hygiene supervision and disease control as part of the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) and DEFRA, respectively.  Following a life-long interest in fish, he undertook an MSc degree on Aquatic Veterinary Studies at the Institute of Aquaculture of the University of Stirling (2005, Scotland).  This was followed by a PhD in fish pathology.  During this time he realized the importance of comparative pathology knowledge for aquaculture and in 2009 he began a residency position at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.  In 2012 he was given a lecturership at the department of pathology, where he is currently a Lecturer of Veterinary Pathology and a Clinical Research Associate of the Roslin institute.

UG Teaching Staff, EBP Academic Staff