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Katlyn McClellan, a Ph.D. candidate in animal science, earned the top inaugural award in the graduate student competition at the Annual Meeting held earlier this month in Las Vegas, Nevada. The honor, which included a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health and presented by the AASV Foundation, recognized her outstanding presentation of her research project titled “Blood hemoglobin as a predictor of removal risk and reproductive performance in prolific sows.”

“Recognition isn’t necessary,” McClellan said. “However, it is always greatly appreciated, especially considering the time, effort and passion that goes into the research that we do here at SDSU. I’m always thankful for the opportunity to develop skills in communicating my research to different audiences, including veterinarian-focused groups like this meeting.”

The AASV Annual Meeting provides valuable continuing education and networking opportunities for swine veterinarians, students and industry professionals. The event includes a wide range of seminars covering production, research tools, technology, nutrition, disease prevention and other key topics. In addition, three poster sessions, focused on veterinary students, research topics and industrial partners, offer presenters the opportunity to share their work with leaders and stakeholders across the swine industry.

McClellan presented her sow research during the meeting’s research topics session with 13 other presenters, eight of which were also graduate students. This year marked the first time the AASV Foundation presented awards to graduate students participating in this category, making her recognition especially notable. The award highlights not only her presentation skills, but also the significance of her research, which aims to develop an assessment tool to help determine sow health and improve sow longevity, reduce losses and support whole herd productivity, a topic relevant to swine veterinarians and producers.

“There is a high prevalence of anemia in U.S. sow herds and our work has shown that low hemoglobin level in late gestation is associated with an increased risk of sow removal,” McClellan said. “For producers and veterinarians, this creates an opportunity to identify at-risk animals earlier and make more informed management and nutritional decisions.”

McClellan, who is mentored by Eric Weaver, an assistant professor in the Department of Animal Science, is set to graduate this summer with her Ph.D. in animal science, with a focus on swine nutrition. She notes that throughout her time at SDSU, she has valued the support and mentorship she has received from faculty. Weaver, in particular, has played a significant role in her development as a scientist, connecting her with others in his network and creating opportunities that have supported her success throughout her educational journey.

“I’ve learned not only how to conduct meaningful, applied research, but also how to communicate it effectively and work as part of a team,” McClellan said. “I’ve learned a lot during my time here, and I’ve truly enjoyed the process.”

Additional information about the Department of Animal Science, including programs and research, can be found on its website.