Rising Researcher: Marcello Melini studies viral interactions to improve swine farm biosecurity

For Marcello Melini, the role of a veterinarian doesn’t stop at the exam room door. It’s a charge that extends beyond the realm of animal health care and into human health as well. 

When it came to a career path, swine health provided an opportunity for him to make an impact in areas benefiting both people and animals.

“For me, the swine field in veterinary medicine allows me to be involved in several of these areas and also provides an additional challenge, which is making the best decision for a herd based on the evidence of a few,” he says. 

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Bringing back the Consumer Back at the Table: Highlights from the 2026 Leman Swine Conference

The 2026 Allen D. Leman Swine Conference wrapped up on Tuesday, and attendees returned to their daily work with new questions raised during formal presentations and hallway conversations.

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See you at the 2026 Leman Swine Conference!

Our team is busy getting ready for the Leman Swine Conference, which starts tomorrow, Saturday, September 19!

Not registered? It’s not too late: walk in registrations are welcome! Join us at the St. Paul RiverCentre for thought-provoking keynotes, a program full of breakouts that cover a wide range of topics important to swine professionals, delicious food, and great company!

Clean farms, dirty trailers

Pigs in a trailer

On a weekly basis, hundreds of thousands of hogs are hauled from different finishing pig farms with different health statuses to harvest plants making these facilities the ultimate concentration point for our industry. Therefore, trailer cross-contamination is imminent, yet today the risk is poorly understood. The University of Minnesota and the Swine Health Information Center partnered to better understand the risk of contamination with pathogens often found in U.S. pigs.

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Join the UMN Swine Group as a Post-Doctoral Associate!

The UMN Swine Group is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to conduct epidemiological research related to swine production, with a particular focus on biosecurity. A DVM degree is required, and an MS or PhD is preferred, although applicants without an MS or PhD will also be considered.

The position will involve traveling to commercial swine farms to assess biosecurity practices and collect data, conducting epidemiological and statistical analyses, contributing to manuscript preparation for ongoing projects within the group, and participating in grant development and funding efforts.

For more details and to apply visit the UMN Jobs portal and search Job ID 375696