New Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Gabi Doughan
Assistant Professor
Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine
Education
DVM, Iowa State University
PhD (Population Sciences in Animal Health), Iowa State University
MS (Veterinary Preventive Medicine), Iowa State University
BA, Central College
Past Experience
While a DVM student in the College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Doughan took a summer internship with the Swine Medicine Education Center (SMEC). This launched her career path in swine medicine with a special interest. After graduating with her DVM, Dr. Doughan stayed on with SMEC, completing both her MS and PhD degrees. She has also served as a Technical Project Specialist with SMEC where she continued her research and teaching, and had responsibilities within the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory focusing on client education and development of external veterinary student programs in the Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine.
Research Area
Dr. Doughan’s research is focused on water system ecology, water line management, and water medication in swine facilities. “This is an often-overlooked aspect f swine production and my master’s research evaluated groundwater as a biosecurity risk by detecting swine pathogens in water sources supplying swine farms across Iowa.”
Interesting Facts
- Doughan grew up in a Des Moines suburb and never had any agriculture or pig exposure until she started attending college at Central College. “I had an opportunity to be exposed to a mixed animal practice and that’s where I developed a passion for Iowa agriculture and livestock population medicine.”
- Doughan’s water system ecology work is an interdisciplinary research project where she works with civil and agricultural engineers, hydrogeologists, environmental scientists, pharmaceutical professionals, and water treatment professionals. “We’re able to learn from each other to apply our findings to the swine industry.”
Dr. Doughan says…
“I am passionate about disseminating research in digestible ways for producers and industry stakeholders to make actionable improvements on their farm. I love collaborative projects that allow me to work with others and help them solve problems to improve pig health. I also really enjoy teaching swine medicine concepts to veterinary students, with a special interest in working with students from non-traditional swine backgrounds like I was. It’s a great opportunity to introduce these concepts and recruit and retain the next generation of swine veterinarians.”
August 2026