In the four years after she graduated with a DVM from the State University of Santa Catarina in Brazil, Dr. Isadora Machado worked in the swine industry, first in Germany and then back in native country.
But something was missing.
“I felt I needed to return to academia to gain a deeper understanding of disease management in swine herds,” Machado said.
That desire led her to Iowa State’s College of Veterinary Medicine where she joined the Field Epidemiology group and began work on her PhD in Population Sciences in Animal Health. This relatively new degree program aims to promote, research, disseminate knowledge and create future leaders in this field.
Machado will be one of those future leaders when she graduates with her PhD this December from Iowa State. She will join a swine production system and will put that deeper understanding to practice.
“The combination of research and field application in this degree program has prepared me to bridge the gap between science and practice in animal health,” Machado said. “My next steps in my new position will involve applying the knowledge I have gained to strengthen the barn-level execution by leading improvement initiatives and driving the adoption of new technologies across swine farms in this production system.”
In her new position, Machado will be responsible for implementing and supporting data systems, process improvements and on-farm innovations that will enhance animal care, labor efficiency and overall performance.
The PhD in Population Sciences in Animal Health has well prepared her for this position.
“My PhD program provided me a strong focus on applying epidemiological methods to animal health problems,” Machado said. “Through the Field Epidemiology group I had a unique opportunity to combine diagnostic data and production information to improve disease prevention and control strategies for the swine industry.”
Machado’s dissertation focused on improving diagnostic surveillance for Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) in breeding herds. This pathogen has a huge (annually $1.2 billion) direct economic impact in the U.S. and much greater worldwide.
Machado evaluated the use of an aggregated post-mortem sample called “tongue fluids” as a practical approach to monitor PRRSV circulation in breeding herds.
“The goal was to assist veterinarians and producers detect the virus circulation and make better informed management decisions during virus elimination programs,” Machado said.
Now Machado will take the deeper understanding she has gained out into the professional world once again.
“I am excited to continue collaborating with producers and veterinarians to bring data-driven decisions to commercial swine production,” she said.
December 2025