2009 Leman Science Award Recipient Announced
US - Laura Batista, DVM, of Quebec, Canada, was honored today with the Allen D. Leman Science in Practice Award from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine and Pfizer Animal Health for her contributions to swine health management and best practices in the industry.“To be considered among this group of state-of-the-art veterinarians that have contributed so much to swine medicine around the world is an honor,“ says Batista. “It tells me that I’ve been doing something right, but also that I must continue to improve my contributions to this industry.“
Established by the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine and Pfizer Animal Health in 1994, this award is recognized as one of the most prestigious in the swine industry; it honors significant achievements that contribute to the body of knowledge related to swine health and management. The award is presented annually at the Allen D. Leman Swine Conference, an international, multi-session gathering where leaders in the swine industry meet to present new information and research, and discuss current and future issues facing the industry.
“Pfizer Animal Health is honored to recognize Dr. Laura Batista for her contributions to the swine industry worldwide,“ said Steve Sornsen, DVM, MS, Director, US Swine Veterinary Services, Pfizer Animal Health. “Her work over the past 25 years has profoundly benefitted our industry, and will continue to for years to come.“
Dr Batista graduated from the Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia de la Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico in 1984. She specializes in diseases and health management of swine with special interest in porcine reproductive and respiratory virus (PRRSV). Her experience is primarily in disease prevention, diagnosis and record analysis to optimize swine herd productivity in Mexico, Latin America, Canada, United States and Europe.
In 2003, she completed a doctorate degree from the University of Minnesota and has fulfilled several specialties in swine medicine and diplomas in business and personnel management. Batista has been published in several venues, including peer-reviewed literature, book chapters, and industry related publications. Batista also has presented her work at countless conferences, meetings and symposiums around the world.
Dr Batista currently divides her time between the Centre de développement du porc du Québec inc in Canada where she is director of research and development for swine health, and her private practice, Batista & Asociados, which offers consulting to the swine industry around the world. Batista’s main areas of focus are swine farm and regional biosecurity, and PRRSV regional control.
She has served as the director of the producer-organized program for regional control of swine diseases in Sonora, Mexico since March of 2009. From 2007 through the end of 2009, Batista serves as president of the Mexican Association of Swine Practitioners (AMVEC). In 1999, AMVEC recognized her as the Veterinarian of the Year for her leadership and contributions to the Mexican swine industry; several other Mexican regional associations have also awarded her honorary memberships.
The Leman Conference and the Allen D. Leman Science in Practice Award is named in memory of swine industry leader Al Leman, DVM, who was committed to understanding and defining the association of disease and production in swine. Leman was a University of Minnesota veterinarian dedicated to the education of practicing veterinarians. He also developed many new production and management technologies for the swine industry.