To date, she has more than 40 publications in indexed and homologated journals, has written book chapters and has been a speaker at multiple national and international scientific events. Likewise, she has directed, co-directed and advised undergraduate and thesis projects of PhD, Master, Medical-Surgical Specializations, Specializations and undergraduate students. She has won more than 20 awards and recognitions including numerous research awards, having been a fellow of the Colciencias Young Researchers program, a Fulbright scholar, a Colfuturo scholar and a fellow of the Health Equity Leadership Institute.

Among the international research awards, two awards granted by the American Public Health Association, through its chapters of Epidemiology and Latino Health, stand out. She has directed and participated in multiple university extension projects, transferring academic knowledge to clinical practice and maintaining health in communities. She has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Colombian Association of Public Health and the Colombian Association of Faculties of Medicine.

She has served as an evaluator peer of Colciencias, national and international journals and has been part of the Evaluation Committee of Candidates for the Fulbright Colombia Scholarships since 2012. Professor Vera Cala is part of the team of inventors of a patent that was granted to the UIS in 2021. In her private practice, she worked as an epidemiologist at the Chicamocha Clinic.