Dr. Gabi Doughan’s path to Iowa State University was shaped early by both aspiration and hometown pride. As an Iowa native with a lifelong goal of becoming a veterinarian, Iowa State’s College of Veterinary Medicine stood out for its strong national reputation and deep connections to agriculture. During veterinary school, her exposure to the Swine Medicine Education Center (SMEC) was a turning point, introducing her to the complexity and impact of swine medicine. Reflecting on that decision, Dr. Doughan notes, “Iowa State University offered not only exceptional didactic and clinical training, but also access to mentorship, applied research, and industry engagement that aligned with my long-term career goals of service to animal health and Iowa agriculture.”
Following her DVM, Dr. Doughan pursued advanced degrees driven by a commitment to lifelong learning and service to the profession. She sought to deepen her expertise in swine medicine while strengthening critical scientific skills in research design, data analysis, and problem-solving. A post-doctoral research associate position with SMEC offered a unique pathway to pursue an MS and PhD. This experience expanded her technical skillset and opened doors to a career that blends research, education, and leadership, all while supporting the swine industry through applied science.
Dr. Doughan’s MS and PhD research focused on an often-overlooked aspect of swine production: water quality and water system management. Her Master’s research examined groundwater as a biosecurity risk by detecting swine pathogens in water sources supplying swine farms across Iowa. Building on this foundation, her PhD research evaluated how water line cleaning affects biofilms, microbial ecology, water quality, and antimicrobial resistance. Together, this work has direct implications for herd health, biosecurity, and antimicrobial stewardship, and she has found particular fulfillment in translating research findings into practical, on-farm recommendations.
After completing her graduate training, Dr. Doughan chose to remain at Iowa State within VDPAM, where her values of service, collaboration, and education align seamlessly with her role. She is deeply passionate about teaching and mentoring the next generation of swine veterinarians, especially students from non-traditional swine backgrounds. Through education, research, and outreach, she continues to serve producers, advance the swine industry, and build meaningful connections between people and agriculture, carrying forward the mission that first drew her to Iowa State.
May 2026