Arruda’s presentation titled “Examining PRRS with fresh eyes. Can novel combinations of epidemiology tools help us?” will discuss how data routinely collected in PRRS control programs can be successfully used to better understand disease dynamics and potentially inform its control and prevention. Provided examples will include questions from swine veterinarians and producers that were answered using readily collected data, some creativity, and by making use of novel epidemiological tools that are becoming increasingly available to researchers.

“We were impressed with the caliber of research content that was submitted for this year’s High Quality Pork Ph.D. Award,” stated Rika Jolie, DVM, Ph.D., MBA, global technical director, Swine MSD Animal Health. “As a company committed to the Science of Healthier Animals™, we are excited for the future of swine research as exemplified in Dr. Arruda’s submission. Disease management is a growing concern for swine farmers around the world and Dr. Arruda’s research will add to growing data needed to keep swine farms healthy and productive.”

Arruda was selected among several candidates that defended their doctoral (Ph.D.) research in either veterinary or animal science with an emphasis on swine within the last 12 months.

“It is a pleasure and immense honor to receive this award. Being able to present my research and interact with a large group of swine specialists will allow me to learn more about this global industry,” Arruda said. “I look forward to discussing this topic that I have been devoted to, and that I am extremely passionate about; and to identifying opportunities for collaborations at the initial stages of my career.”

Arruda is originally from Brazil where she obtained her DVM at São Paolo State University. She then completed a MSc in Veterinary Medicine at University of Minnesota followed by a Ph.D. in Epidemiology at University of Guelph. She recently accepted a position as an Assistant Professor at the Department of Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University. She will deliver her presentation at upcoming MSD Animal Health High Quality Pork meetings in Europe, the Americas and Asia throughout 2017.