Awards

Carmen is a Master’s student at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) studying swine behaviour and welfare. Under the supervision of Dr. Yolande Seddon, her research aims to validate an on-farm one-step euthanasia technique using electricity as an alternative method to humanely euthanize large, compromised pigs.

Carmen’s background in swine health and welfare is rooted in western Canada with Saskatchewan being her home. Originally working towards becoming a veterinarian, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Animal Bioscience at the University of Saskatchewan in 2022. This provided a diverse background in livestock production practices, management, and health. Seeking to expand her knowledge on pigs, Carmen completed a fourth-year undergraduate research thesis with Dr. Seddon on the effect of early life play behaviour on the weaning transition for piglets. This thesis opened her eyes to the world of pig behaviour and welfare research with exposure to these incredible animals and the practices involved in their rearing for pork production. This led to redirecting her career path working for a year as a research technician on Dr. Seddon’s team. She gained invaluable experience visiting barns collecting welfare indicator data and developed an understanding and appreciation for how pig barns operate, and the role research plays in assisting farmers to manage their pigs. Working within the WCVM swine welfare team, she has had the opportunity to attend large pig producer conferences, and is energised by the passion and enthusiasm shown by swine industry members. Carmen began her Master’s project in 2023, and has found a purpose in pig behaviour and welfare research where the work she contributes aims to support farmers, the swine industry, and positively influence the lives of thousands of pigs.