March 6, 2026
Two researchers in the Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine have received funding from the American Association of Swine Veterinarians Foundation.
Dr. Marcelo Almeida, assistant professor, was awarded funding for two research projects. His proposal, “Genomic and Epidemiological Characterization of Pasteurella Multocida from Diagnostic Swine Cases and its Relationship with Co-infections, Lesion Patterns and Animal Age,” was funded at $35,000. The study aims to fully characterize Pasteurella multocida isolates obtained at the Iowa State and University of Minnesota diagnostic laboratories from various clinical presentations using whole-genome sequencing and comparative genome analyses.
Almeida will received $24,795 to fund his second proposal, “Retained Piglets in Sows: Testing the Roles of Ionized Calcium and Maternal Anemia in Uterine Fatigue and Farrowing Failure.” The goal of this investigation is to quantify the association between pre-farrow ionized calcium and hemoglobin levels and the occurrence of prolonged farrowing and piglet retention.
Dr. Ana Paula Poeta Silva, research scientist II, received funding of $33,791 for her project “Economic and Epidemiologic Decision Trade-offs for PRRS Outbreaks Response Plans in Breeding Herds: Pursuing Stability vs Pre-Outbreak Production Targets.” The overarching goal of the project is to generate robust, evidence-based data-results into the epidemiologic and economic value of PRRS stability versus pre-outbreak production recovery strategies. She hopes this will improve the quality and consistency of outbreak management decisions in breeding herds and their downstream flows.