My name is Kiara Solange Garcia Garro, I am from Peru. I studied Animal Sciences at La Molina National Agrarian University (UNALM) in Lima-Peru, I obtained a bachelor's degree in 2016. While I was an university student, I worked in the experimental Swine Unit in UNALM and I did my undergraduate thesis on Swine Nutrition. Thesis: “Use of a liquid nutritional supplement in lactating piglets and its effect on post-weaning productive performance". Therefore, I developed a strong interest in the swine research area.

For around four years, I worked in Merck Sharp & Dohme in the Business Unit Swine in Peru, this provided me the opportunity to learn and reinforce my knowledge in animal health and swine production. In addition, I continued developing an important interest for applied research to solve problems for the industry, stakeholders in the supply chain and producers.

However, I do not forget my interest in swine research. Therefore, I applied for an internship where my sponsor was The Ohio State University. So, I did a one-year internship at Smithfield Hog Production in its Research Department from June 22 to June 23. My role was to support in research projects in nutrition, animal welfare, health and hog production conducted in Smithfield-owned commercial sow farms, nurseries, and finishers. My duties were enrolling sows or litters, allocating treatments, collected samples such as blood, oral fluids, snout wipes, necropsy, and data collection in Leo System. Besides, our department conducted trials partnering with other institutions such as North Carolina State University.

Nowadays, Dr. Hans Stein gave me the opportunity to be part of his team in Monogastric Nutrition Laboratory while I am studying English in UIUC. I am grateful to be part of this team and can acquire new skills and knowledges in swine research.