DVM, PhD

Assistant Professor of Livestock Population Medicine 

Dr. Benjamin Blair grew up on his family’s farm in southern Illinois, where he developed a strong foundation in agriculture and animal husbandry by raising swine, beef cattle, and cultivating crops. This early experience instilled in him a lifelong dedication to improving agricultural practices and animal health. Today, he continues to manage the family farm alongside his two brothers.

Dr. Blair holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, as well as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and a PhD in Pathobiology with a concentration in Epidemiology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His unique combination of engineering and veterinary expertise allows him to tackle complex challenges in animal health and production from a multidisciplinary perspective.

Currently serving as an Assistant Professor in Veterinary Clinical Medicine, Dr. Blair’s research focuses on swine disease risk and transmission modeling, biosecurity, and the use of advanced technologies such as machine learning and computer vision to enhance animal health and welfare. His work also explores the dynamics of cull sow market transmission and the integration of remote monitoring technologies in livestock management.

Previously, Dr. Blair has held roles as a Research Scientist, Lead Researcher, and Animal Health Data Scientist, bringing a wealth of experience to his academic and consulting endeavors. He has secured multiple research grants to advance understanding in his field, particularly in areas related to disease transmission and biosecurity in swine production.

Dr. Blair lives on a small farm south of Champaign, Illinois, with his wife, Cathy, their two children, and their two Labradors. In his free time, he enjoys working on the farm or spending time outdoors, embracing the rural lifestyle that shaped his career and personal life.

bblair2@illinois.edu

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