Faculty Profiles

Hector Zerpa

Faculty

Office: Hendrix Student Center

Education and Professional Certifications

PhD in Veterinary Pharmacology
Royal Veterinary College, University of London

Master of Science in Veterinary Science
Central University of Venezuela

M.V. (D.V.M. Equivalent)
Central University of Venezuela

American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges
Leadership Academy

Chairs and Academic Administrators Management Program
The Academy for Advancing Leadership (AAL)

Certificate in University Teaching: Foundations in Instructional Design
School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George’s University, Grenada, WI

Areas of Expertise

Veterinary physiology and pharmacology with emphasis on veterinary education and curriculum development

Select Publications

Risso A, Campos G, Garcia H, Zerpa H. 2022. Insights into equine piroplasmosis in Venezuelan sport horses: Molecular diagnosis, clinical, and cardiovascular findings. Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports. Volume 27.

Comerma-Steffensen S, Risso A, Ascanio-Evanoff E, Zerpa H. 2019. Endothelium-dependent relaxation mechanisms involve nitric oxide and prostanoids in the isolated bovine digital vein. J Vet Pharmacol Ther. May;42(3):361–367.

Rodríguez A, Zerpa H, Ruiz A, Bermúdez V, García F, Silva A, Gutiérrez L, Villasmil S. 2013. Effect of clonidine in mice injected with Tityus discrepans scorpion venom. Toxicon. 63:70–77.

Zerpa HA, Crawford C, Knight GE, Fordham AF, Janska SE, Peppiatt-Wildman CM, Elliott J, Burnstock G, Wildman SS. 2013. Extracellular ATP signaling in equine digital blood vessels. Eur J Pharmacol. 702(1-3):242–249.

Campos GJ, Chacón TC, Cova FJ, Flores SA, Rojas JA, Zerpa HA. 2013. Evaluation of the local analgesic effects of a commercial aqueous extract of Sarracenia purpurea and ammonium sulphate in the equine abaxial sesamoid block model. J Equine Vet Sci. 33(11):1004–1007.

Rossini M, Blanco PA, Marín E, Comerma-Steffensen S, Zerpa H. 2012. Haematological values of post-laying Arrau turtle (Podocnemis expansa) in the Orinoco River, Venezuela. Res Vet Sci. 92(1):128–131.

Rossini M, Garcia G, Rojas J, Zerpa H. 2011. Hematologic and serum biochemical reference values for the wild Spectacled Caiman (Caiman crocodilus crocodilus) from the Venezuelan plains. J Vet Clin Pathol. 40(3):374–379.

Zerpa H, Berhane Y, Elliott J, Bailey SR. 2010. Functional role of α2-adrenoceptor subtypes in the cooling-enhanced vasoconstriction of isolated cutaneous digital veins of the horse. Eur J Pharmacol. 627:194–202.

Zerpa H, Berhane Y, Elliott J, Bailey SR. 2010. Rho kinase activation and ROS production contribute to the cooling-enhanced contraction in cutaneous equine digital veins. J Appl Physiol. 109:11–18.

Zerpa H, Berhane Y, Elliott J, Bailey SR. 2010. The effect of cooling on the contractility of equine digital small lamellar arteries: modulating role of the endothelium. Exp Physiol. 95(10):1033–1042.

Zerpa H, Berhane Y, Elliott J, Bailey SR. 2007. Cooling augments vasoconstriction mediated by 5-HT1 and alpha2-adrenoceptors in the isolated equine digital vein: involvement of rho kinase. Eur J Pharmacol. 569:212–221.

Zerpa H, Bailey SR, Berhane Y, Elliott J. 2006. Pharmacological characterization of alpha1-adrenoceptors in equine digital veins. J Vet Pharmacol Ther. 29(1):55–61.

Zerpa H, Vega F, Vásquez J, Ascanio E, Campos G, Sogbe E, Romero E, García H, Ascanio M. 2005. Effect of acute sublethal endotoxemia on in vitro digital vascular reactivity in equines. J Vet Med A. 52:67–73.

Select Honors and Awards

Outstanding Faculty Award
St. George’s University Student Government Association
2024, 2023, 2022, 2019, 2018

Research Award – Category C (Maximum Category)
Science and Technology Office, Venezuela
2013–2015

PhD Prize
Royal Veterinary College, University of London
2010