The annual NAPRRS/NC229 International Conference of Swine Viral Diseases was held in Chicago, Illinois, on January 16 and 17. It marked the 22nd time that researchers, veterinarians, and other pork industry leaders from around the world gathered to address basic research, diagnostics, and disease control at the point of production. The event, which drew attendees from eight countries, was organized by the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine.
Conference Themes
Keynote speakers Dr. Mark Parcells from the University of Delaware and Dr. Amy Baker with the USDA National Animal Disease Center shared insights into avian viral pathogens that have spilled over into swine and other livestock populations and have become factors influencing animal and human health.
Dr. Baker was also honored at the conference for her recent election to the National Academy of Sciences in 2025. She had previously been awarded the USDA-ARS Distinguished Senior Research Scientist of the Year (2024), an honorary diplomate of the American Veterinary Epidemiology Society (2023), and a member of the National Academy of Medicine.
A third keynote speaker, Dr. Kelly Lager, honored the legacy of Dr. William Mengling, a researcher who made significant contributions to the swine industry worldwide and who died in 2025. Dr. Mengling was among the first veterinarians hired by the National Animal Disease Laboratory when it launched in 1961 in Ames, Iowa. Over his 40-year career there, he played a pivotal role in eradicating hog cholera, applying a new diagnostic technique to detect the virus that causes that disease. He was also the first to detect porcine parvovirus (PPV) in U.S. swine, paving the way for an effective PPV vaccine.
Conference Organization and Sponsors
Dr. Ying Fan and Dr. Raymond (Bob) Rowland, both from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, served as executive director and advisor, respectively, of the conference. The organizing committee members include swine diseases scientific/extension experts and industry professionals from around the world.
“We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the members of the organizing committee,” said Dr. Fang. “Their diligent work and behind-the-scenes effort are essential to making this event a success.”
The conference scientific committee was co-chaired by Dr. Mariana Kikuti of the University of Minnesota and Dr. Pablo Pineyro of Iowa State University. The full proceedings of the conference are available online.
“This conference is made possible by the generous support of our sponsors,” added Dr. Fang. Sponsors include the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, its Department of Pathobiology, and its Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory; Zoetis, Boehringer Ingelheim; Elanco; Promega; Genus Research and Development; SHIC; Tetracore; Dr. David Benfield; Central States Research Centre, Inc.; and Millipore Sigma.
Student Award Winners
Twelve students received David Benfield Awards for their research presentations.
Oral Presentation Awards
- 1st Place: Marlene Bravo Parra, Iowa State University
- 1st Place: Ching-Yang Wang, Iowa State University
- 2nd Place: Danh Lai, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- 2nd Place: Eduarda Braga, Iowa State University
- 3rd Place: Lu Yen, Iowa State University
- 3rd Place: Fangfeng Yuan, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Poster Presentation Awards
- 1st Place: Stephen Edache, Kansas State University
- 1st Place: Trevor Arunsiripate, Iowa State University
- 2nd Place: Ramchander Rao Nadipelly, South Dakota State University
- 2nd Place: Vineetha Reddy Mareddy, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- 3rd Place: Hao Tong, Iowa State University
- 3rd Place: Rafael Medeiros de Avila Melo, University of Minnesota
In addition, NAPRRS/NC229 ICSVD travel fellowship awards were granted to 22 students to attend the conference. The travel awards were supported by Elanco, Promega, and Boehringer Ingelheim.
- Melissa Kerns, Iowa State University
- Weronika Rybkowska, Warsaw University of Life Sciences – SGGW
- Stephen Edache, Kansas State University
- Fangfeng Yuan, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- Saurabh Umrao, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Danh Lai, Nebraska Center for Virology
- Akhila Naru, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Hung Luong, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Derek Pinto, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Joao Paulo Herrera da Silva, University of Minnesota
- Trevor Arunsiripate, Iowa State University
- Eduarda Braga, Iowa State University
- Jessica Mateus, The Ohio State University
- Claudio Melini, University of Minnesota
- Kara Flaherty, The Ohio State University
- Ching-Yang Wang, Iowa State University
- Lu Yen, Iowa State University
- Vineetha Reddy Mareddy, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Rafael Medeiros de Avila Melo, University of Minnesota
- Ramchander Rao Nadipelly, South Dakota State University
- Lucas Ferreira, University of Minnesota
- Hao Tong, Iowa State University
