- The AASV Foundation awarded the 2026 Hogg Scholarship to Dr. Alejandrina Da Silva and Dr. Sara Pearson at the AASV Annual Meeting in Las Vegas.
- The scholarship supports swine veterinarians pursuing advanced graduate education after years in practice.
- Da Silva is pursuing a PhD in population sciences at Iowa State University focused on PRRS surveillance and diagnostics.
- Pearson is completing an online One Health master’s degree at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
- The scholarship honors Dr. Alex Hogg, a leader in swine medicine who pursued graduate education later in his career.
The American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) Foundation named Drs. Alejandrina Da Silva and Sara Pearson as the 2026 recipients of the Hogg Scholarship during the association’s 57th Annual Meeting in Las Vegas.
Established in 2008, the scholarship honors Dr. Alex Hogg, a swine veterinarian who returned to graduate school after many years in practice. The award supports AASV members pursuing advanced degrees to further the profession.
Research on PRRS Surveillance
Dr. Alejandrina Da Silva, who has more than 15 years of experience in production systems, diagnostics, genetics, and pharmaceutical innovation, is pursuing a PhD in population sciences at Iowa State University. Her research focuses on improving surveillance tools and diagnostic strategies for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), as well as evaluating the economic and productivity impacts of intervention strategies.
One Health Training in Swine Medicine
Dr. Sara Pearson is pursuing an online One Health master’s degree at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. She serves as assistant director of the Animal Care Program for Agricultural Animals and primary veterinarian for the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign swine farms, where she provides veterinary care for production, research, and teaching animals.
Information sourced from the association’s press release.
