Laura Bruner named 2026 Science in Practice Award winner by University of Minnesota Swine Group

(St. Paul, Minnesota. May 5, 2026)—For her contributions to science advancing swine health and production, Minnesota veterinarian Laura Bruner has earned the 2026 Allen D. Leman Science in Practice Award, which will be presented at the Allen D. Leman Swine Conference in September. 

The annual award recognizes swine practitioners who use science to solve critical health and production problems for pork producers.

Since 2007, Bruner has worked as a veterinarian at Swine Vet Center in St. Peter, Minnesota, where she focuses on advancing swine health, production efficiency, and practical disease management strategies. She works closely with producers and production teams to implement science-based solutions that improve herd performance and animal welfare in real-world farm settings.

“I am always working in prevention mode,” Bruner said. “My goal in my role is to prevent animals from getting sick by continually improving biosecurity practices with my clients by looking at what they are doing today and what they could be doing better. I’m always trying to prevent rather than treat.”

That work involves staying on top of disease trends and keeping a close eye on herds.  

She regularly collaborates with swine researchers at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine and other institutions to address issues affecting the pork industry, such as investigating disease outbreaks and strengthening biosecurity protocols. 

“Dr. Bruner goes the extra mile to generate practical knowledge and share it with producers and veterinarians to help prevent and control disease,” said Montse Torremorell, professor and chair of the Department of Veterinary Population Medicine at the University of Minnesota. “Her kindness and generosity are evident throughout her work to help others in the swine industry.”

Bruner's research collaborations have advanced knowledge and practices around swine respiratory viruses, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, swine influenza, porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, and Streptococcus suis. She has presented more than a dozen times at the Leman Swine Conference and the American Association of Swine Veterinarians Conference.

Bruner will receive her award on Sept. 21 at the annual Allen D. Leman Swine Conference in St. Paul. The conference is the industry’s premier health and production management conference. Details can be found at lemanconference.umn.edu. 

The Science in Practice Award is sponsored by Merck Animal Health, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA, a global animal health business committed to helping its customers solve swine disease and reproductive challenges to enhance operational efficiency and improve animal health and well-being.