Blog

2026

Understanding weaning stress through the gut: Ulia’s contribution to PIG-PARADIGM

Ulia’s work sits within an emerging research area. “The microbiota–gut–brain axis has been extensively studied in humans and rodents,” she says, “but it is still developing in livestock.”

This meant looking beyond traditional animal science.

“I had to learn from human studies as well,” she explains, highlighting how interdisciplinary the field has become.

As part of PIG-PARADIGM, she worked within a large international network of researchers. “We have five universities and more than 20 PhD students,” she says. “It gave me a lot of opportunities for networking and learning.” The project also allowed her to shape her own research direction.

“I was very lucky to have the flexibility to design my experiments,” Ulia reflects. “That experience is very valuable for my future career.”

Maria Skødt Kroier: Exploring the link between nutrition and pig health

Maria Skødt Kroier, 28, is a third-year PhD student in the Nutrition pillar of the PIG-PARADIGM project. Throughout her PhD, she has gained valuable experience managing her own research while contributing to a deeper understanding of the interactions between nutrition, microbiome, and pig health.
One of the highlights of her PhD journey has been taking responsibility for her own research project.

A race against resistance

Gathered at Folkemødet on Bornholm in mid-June, an expert panel met aboard AURORA—Aarhus University’s state-of-the-art research vessel—to confront one of the most urgent global health threats: antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Led by Professor Charlotte Lauridsen, coordinator of the PIG-PARADIGM project and head of the De-partment of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Aarhus University, TECH, the session unpacked the scale and complexity of the crisis, while pointing to the need for bold, cross-disciplinary solutions to stay ahead of it. The expert panel consisted of Professor Lars Østergaard from Aarhus University (SUND), Marianne Holm, Vice President at the Novo Nordisk Foundation and Mette Rørbæk Gantzhorn, Chair of the Danish Veterinary Association. A strong turnout of enthusiastic attendees set the stage.

Not everything follows the hypothesis, but that is also valuable knowledge”

After several years of research, analysis, and collaboration, Antonia Vania Adji has now completed and submitted her PhD. As part of the Nutrition Pillar within the PIG-PARADIGM project, her work has focused on a key challenge in pig production: post-weaning diarrhea and gut health.

At the center of her research is a straightforward but important question: how dietary fiber can support healthier piglets during one of the most vulnerable stages of their lives. “My PhD is about the influence of dietary fiber on post-weaning diarrhea, gut health, and nutrient digestibility,” Antonia explains. “This period right after weaning is a critical phase for piglets, where they are more vulnerable to stress and infections such as E. coli. I wanted to explore whether dietary fiber could help support gut health during this stage.”

Behind the Scenes of PIG-PARADIGM: Mette Skou Hedemann’s role in keeping the project on track

While much of PIG-PARADIGM’s work is driven by scientific research, the project also relies on strong coordination behind the scenes. One of the key people helping ensure everything runs smoothly is Mette Skou Hedemann, senior researcher and member of the project’s management team.

Mette has been involved in the project from the very beginning. “I’ve been working with piglets, weaning, and diarrhea for many years,” she explains. “So in that way, I’ve been connected to PIG-PARADIGM right from the start—even back in the application phase.” Her expertise in metabolomics initially brought her into the project as a co-supervisor for PhD students, supporting specific research components.

“You Can Learn Something Both Ways”

On July 3^rd, Stine Karstenskov Østergaard defended her PhD thesis, “Advancing gut microbiome analysis in inflammatory bowel disease using long-read sequencing.”. Big congratulations! Take a closer look at her research and find out what she has been working on. With a background in medical biotechnology and years of experience in clinical research, she describes herself as working “a bit on the edge” of the consortium.

How can we predict which pigs are most at risk of disease?

How can we predict which pigs are most at risk of disease—and target treatment more precisely? That question lies at the heart of the PIG-PARADIGM project, where postdoc Martin Rydal plays a key role in transforming large-scale data into actionable insights for both research and industry.

When fiber Becomes a solution: New perspectives on piglet nutrition

Élisabeth Chassé is a tenure‑track assistant professor at Aarhus University’s Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences and a researcher in the PIG‑PARADIGM consortium. She first joined PIG‑PARADIGM as a postdoctoral researcher, where she began working on projects focused on prebiotics and non-digestible carbohydrates nutrition and gut health in piglets—research that has continued to shape her work as she transitioned into a faculty role.

“Collaboration is what makes it work”: An interview with Hauke Smidt on the power of teamwork

“Collaboration is what makes it work”: An interview with Hauke Smidt on the power of teamwork in PIG PARADIGM
Collaboration is the backbone of the Novo Nordisk Foundation–funded PIG PARADIGM project. Few know this better than Hauke Smidt, co PI and head of the microbiome pillar, based at Wageningen University in the Netherlands. After nearly four years in the project, he reflects on how teamwork—across borders, disciplines, and career stages—has shaped the project’s success.

Halfway there: Mohak Gujare’s fight against a global health threat

When Mohak Gujare left the humid streets of Mumbai, he carried with him a deep curiosity about life at its smallest scale. Today, halfway through his PhD at Wageningen University & Research, Netherlands; Mohak is tackling a challenge that resonates far beyond the pig farms of Europe: reducing antibiotic use in livestock to safeguard global health.

New interview: Microbial insights powered by collaboration

How can understanding bacterial behavior help improve animal welfare and reduce antibiotic use in livestock farming? This question lies at the heart of the PIG-PARADIGM project, where Professor Jeppe Lund Nielsen from Aalborg University plays an important role. With his expertise in molecular microbiology and microbial physiology, he contributes to uncovering what happens in the pig’s gut during weaning—a critical period often associated with diarrhea and inflammation, which frequently lead to antibiotic treatment.

Contradictions drive research

“We need more sustainable practices,” says Mike Loomans, a PhD student in the Microbiome pillar. “Piglets are being perturbed from their natural life cycle, and antibiotics have become a standard response. That’s something we really need to rethink.”
Weaning is a critical moment in a piglet’s life. Within days, its diet changes, contact with the sow ends, and the carefully balanced microbial community in its gut is disrupted. The result is often diarrhea—and a familiar response from farmers: antibiotics. As pork production continues to grow worldwide, researchers are asking whether this cycle can be broken.

"You need a project like this..."

-to establish what are the common questions, what are the knowledges and expertise’s available within the project, and importantly, how to communicate across disciplines."

Professor Luca Guardabassi, One Health AMR expert at the University of Copenhagen and partner in the consortium's microbiome pillar:

"You need a project like this to establish what are the common questions, what are the knowledges and expertise’s available within the project, and importantly, how to communicate across disciplines."

This is why he sees PIG-PARADIGM as more than a research project. It is a platform on which future collaborations can be built.

"I think it's a good foundation for future transdisciplinary projects."

Breaking boundaries: How collaboration shapes the future of pig health

"Collaboration is always an essential component of any research project," says Andrew Williams. He is originally from Australia and now a professor at University of Copenhagen, and he has spent over a decade in Denmark leading a research group dedicated to understanding how diet composition regulates the host response to infectious disease in the intestine.

At first glance, his work might seem highly specialized—nutrition, immunity, pathogens—but the story behind the Pig Paradigm project reveals something much broader: the transformative power of collaboration.

Growing with PIG-PARADIGM: A conversation with Shya Navazesh

Huge congratulations to Shya Navazesh, who has officially submitted her doctoral dissertation at UC Davis!

While her submission marks the end of a major chapter, it also concludes an incredible journey as a vital part of the PIG-PARADIGM team. We asked Shya what it’s like to conduct research within a large-scale collaborative project and how this experience has shaped her as a researcher.

PIG‑PARADIGM: A One Health approach to reducing antibiotic use in livestock

Even though the PIG‑PARADIGM project is not formally labelled a One Health initiative, the perspective has proved essential — for its scientific direction. Senior researcher Dr. Nuria Canibe from Department of Veterinary Science, Aarhus University, explains that the project’s impact reaches far beyond the barn.

“Most of our work is about having robust pigs so they don’t need so much antibiotics. If we reduce the use, we’ve already achieved something important,” she says.

Collaboration at the core: Professor Merete Fredholm on the making of PIG PARADIGM

Even though the PIG‑PARADIGM project is not formally labelled a One Health initiative, the perspective has proved essential — for its scientific direction. Senior researcher Dr. Nuria Canibe from Department of Veterinary Science, Aarhus University, explains that the project’s impact reaches far beyond the barn.

“Most of our work is about having robust pigs so they don’t need so much antibiotics. If we reduce the use, we’ve already achieved something important,” she says.

“From fish to pigs”: The unexpected turns that led Li Hsuan Chen to his PhD

When Li‑Hsuan Chen left Taiwan to begin his PhD in the Nutrition Pillar of PIG‑PARADIGM, he didn’t expect his research journey to shift from studying fish skin to examining pig gut health. But as he prepares to graduate—his thesis built on four scientific articles, one already published—he reflects on a path full of surprises, challenges, and discoveries that reshaped his career.

2025

Meet Chrysoula Dimopoulou – A new postdoc in PIG-PARADIGM

Meet our new postdoc researcher, Chrysoula Dimopoulou!

This year, Chrysoula joins the PIG-PARADIGM team at the University of Copenhagen. Read more about her research background and her study within PIG-PARADIGM in our latest article.

Iron will, microbial thrill: A dissertation that digs deep

What happens when you tweak iron levels in a pig’s diet?

You don’t just change growth rates - you shift microbial ecosystems, alter metabolic pathways, and potentially influence pathogen virulence. That’s the premise behind Shya Navazesh’s PhD dissertation, a four-chapter investigation into the complex relationship between dietary iron and gut health in swine.

As a PhD candidate at the Peng Ji lab at UC Davis, Shya's work spans cell culture, in vivo studies, metagenomics, and whole genome sequencing, offering a multi-layered view of how iron interacts with intestinal biology.

From California to Denmark: A PhD Exchange That Sparked Collaboration and Friendship

In PIG-PARADIGM, we are dedicated to supporting the development of our young researchers. This is why the project has dedicated resources to fund exchange visits, fostering learning, collaboration, and personal growth. This time, we spoke with Amara Benn, who recently completed an exchange visit from California to Denmark. She shares her experiences, insights, and reflections on how this opportunity enriched her research and personal development.
Read the full interview to hear her story and discover the impact of international collaboration on early career researchers in PIG-PARADIGM.

A Healthy Gut: A Key Piece in the Green Transition

From Research to Revolution: How Gut Health Shapes Sustainability. The story behind the PIG PARADIGM project as seen through the lens of Professor Knud Erik Bach Knudsen

Nopal Cactus Leaf Powder: A Nutritional Boost for Piglets and Mothers

Weaning marks a crucial phase in a piglet’s development, often causing stress and diarrhea, which can jeopardize their health. Incorporating dietary fiber into the mother’s diet may indirectly mitigate post-weaning diarrhea by supporting intestinal health and development.

PIG-PARADIGM ECR Feature: Ruben Grosso

Meet Ruben Adrián Grosso, a Postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Aarhus University. Within PIG-PARADIGM, Ruben's research focuses on the interaction of dietary fiber, microbiota, and gastrointestinal mucosal immunity during post-weaning infections in pigs.

The impact of microbial-derived metabolites on gut function in weaned piglets

Within PIG-PARADIGM, PhD student Li Hsuan Chen's research investigates the impact of dietary protein levels and amino acid supplementation on pig gut health, focusing specifically on the metabolite compositions of the digesta samples from the ileum, colon, and cecum.

Learn more about his work in this article.

The microbial mystery: exploring bacteria in inflamed tissues

PhD student Stine Karstenskov Østergaard is a member of the Nutrition Pillar within the PIG-PARADIGM project. In this post, she tells us about her research focusingon the bacterial populations present in the intestinal tissues of patients suffering from chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).

The oinkcredible sowperfood - Nopal

Within PIG-PARADIGM, professor Carolyn Slupsky (UC Davis)'s team is investigating how maternal diet shapes piglet outcomes. In our latest article, Dr. Slupsky shares why the group is exploring nopal, the prickly pear cactus pad, as a potential feed ingredient for sows.

Grown in arid regions, nopal is a climate-resilient, fiber-rich plant that could help support a more robust gut microbiome in sows and, in turn, healthier outcomes for their piglets. The team’s work highlights the importance of complex carbohydrates in nurturing beneficial microbes, strengthening immune resilience, and reducing vulnerability to infection.

Collaboration, Growth, and New Beginning - interview with Sangwoo Park

As PIG-PARADIGM’s journey continues, we’re thrilled to see our Early Career Researchers grow and reach new career milestones. Today, we celebrate Sangwoo Park, who has recently embarked on an exciting new chapter as Assistant Professor at Gyeongsang National University in South Korea. We asked him to reflect on his experience in PIG-PARADIGM and how it shaped his next steps.

Sangwoo’s story reflects the heart of PIG-PARADIGM - building connections, advancing knowledge, and empowering the next generation of researchers to make an impact - read the full interview and learn more.

Gut feeling: reimagining pig health with microbes, diet, and science

“We’re part of a global community working to preserve antibiotics for future generations. We don’t want to return to a time when infectious disease was the leading cause of death.”

At the 2025 PIG-PARADIGM Annual Meeting, we sat down with Professor Maria Marco from UC Davis to talk about microbes, diet and her work within PIG-PARADIGM.

Read the full article and learn more.

Start with the “why”: Lessons in scientific communication from Stephane Duval

In PIG-PARADIGM, we don’t just talk about science, we also talk about the skills that bring science to life. At this year’s Annual Meeting, Stephane duval, Global Innovation Science Lead for Monogastrics at dsm-firmenich and member of our Industry Advisory Board, shared why communicating your research can be just as important as the results themselves. Read the full article to discover Stéphane’s perspective on blending scientific depth with down-to-earth communication.

A Healthy Gut: A Key Piece in the Green Transition

We're meeting Charlotte Lauridsen, coordinator of PIG-PARADIGM, at their annual gathering at Konventum in Helsingør, northern Zealand, where she will share her insights and reflections on the event.

Pork-tective Powers: Strengthening Weanling Defenses

Alfredo Chavez-Arroyo, a postdoctoral researcher in the Baumler Lab at the University of California, Davis, is investigating the microbiome pillar of the PIG PARADIGM initiative. His research focuses on how the fecal microbiota of weanling piglets influences their vulnerability to enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) infections during the critical weaning period.

A PIG-PARADIGM Dialogue on Antimicrobial Resistance

At our 2024 Annual Meeting, PIG-PARADIGM researchers, Yanhong Liu, Associate Professor at University of California, Davis, and Jens Peter Nielsen, Professor at the University of Copenhagen, discuss the pressing challenges in pig health faced by both Denmark and the United States.

Explore their insights into improving swine health and tackling shared issues across borders.

The hidden power of blood: How hematological traits can transform pig production

Jiahong's primary task within PIG-PARADIGM involves the identification of host factors, including resilience endophenotypes. One of the most critical endophenotypes under investigation is the hematological traits, also referred to as blood parameters. These parameters are essential as they reflect the physiological and health status of pigs and serve as biomarkers to describe both pathological and sub-pathological conditions.

Gut Barriers and Beyond: Using AI and Microscopy to Decode Post-Weaning Diarrhea

As a veterinary pathologist, Cecilie contributes to PIG-PARADIGM by providing insights into the internal conditions of the animals.

Read more about Cecilie's work within PIG-PARADIGM in this article.

Baris Ozdinc: On a mission to decode the microbial map of the piglet gut

Halfway through his PhD journey at Wageningen University & Research, Barış is on a mission to uncover how tiny organisms influence animal health.

Working with hundreds of piglet samples and an incredible diversity of microbes, his research within PIG-PARADIGM focuses on mapping the microbial biogeography of the piglet gut — across time, space, and species.

In our latest interview, Barış shares his passion for microbiology, what it’s like to work at the intersection of animal science and microbial ecology, and what keeps him curious through the challenges of a PhD. Read the full story by Shaila and learn more.

Beyond antibiotics: How antioxidants may hold the key to healthier pigs

When PIG-PARADIGM began, Pernille Aagaard Madsen was just starting her PhD journey at Aarhus University, Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences. Now, over three years later, she’s about to become the very first Early Career Researcher to graduate from our project.
We sat down with Pernille to hear her reflections on this journey - what it’s like to grow as a researcher in an international, cross-institutional, and interdisciplinary project tackling antimicrobial resistance.

Her story highlights not only research progress, but also about collaboration, learning, and being part of a community working towards shared goals.

Rethinking pig health - a commentary by Kristian Møller

During the PIG-PARADIGM 2025 Annual Meeting at the Konventum in Elsinore, Denmark, we spoke with Kristian Møller, Director of Veterinary and Quality Services at the Danish Agriculture and Food Council.

In a reflective conversation on the state of Danish pig production, Møller as a stakeholder, shared his perspectives on tackling post-weaning diarrhea and achieving lower antibiotic use while maintaining animal health and farm sustainability.

Read the full article and learn more.

PIG-PARADIGM and the industry’s challenge: A stakeholder’s perspective

Christian Fink Hansen is the Sector Director at the Research Center for Pig Production at the Danish Agriculture and Food Council, and we’re fortunate to have him as a member of PIG-PARADIGM’s Industry Advisory Board. In May, Christian took part in our joint stakeholder event with the EU project AVANT. We had the chance to sit down with him to hear his reflections on the project and the current challenges facing the pig industry.

Read on hear his perspective.

We should challenge the dogmas: A Conversation with Hubèrt van Hees

At this year’s PIG-PARADIGM Annual Meeting, we sat down with one of our Industry Advisory Board members for an in-depth conversation. In the interview, Hubèrt Van Hees, Manager of Swine Research at Trouw Nutrition Research and Development shares expert perspectives from industry, diving into functional pig nutrition, antibiotic reduction, and how nature may be the key to revolutionizing animal husbandry.

UC Davis Scientists Explore Probiotic Solutions for Healthier Piglets

"The overall goal of my research is to identify probiotics that can be used to prevent post-weaning diarrhea in piglets," says Mejia-Caballero. "We are trying to find probiotics endogenous from the pigs’ microbiome that have functional properties to prevent diarrhea.

Read more about Alejandra's work within PIG-PARADIGM in this article.

Understanding E. coli infections: The impact of local inflammation

Darya Vodolazska is a postdoctoral researcher at Aarhus University, collaborating with PhD student Stine Karstenskov Østergaard(AAU), she is involved in a project, focusing on identifying the microbial community. Their research primarily targets intestinal inflammation, aiming to generate knowledge that will contribute to the prevention of weaning-induced diarrhea in pigs.

Oxidative stress in post-weaning piglets

Post-weaning diarrhea is a significant issue in the pig industry, caused by various complex factors, including oxidative stress. Pernille Aagaard Madsen's research focuses on the relationship between oxidative stress and post-weaning diarrhea in pigs.

Read more about Pernille's work within PIG-PARADIGM and her recent publication in this article.

2024

From Samples to Knowledge

In an ever-changing world where the digital revolution and artificial intelligence are increasingly integrated into our daily lives, the question arises: how can modern technologies enhance the effectiveness, objectivity, and reproducibility of science?

Read this blog to gain insights into how these technologies are leading the conversion of traditional microscopy to digital image analysis and supporting ECR Cecilie's work in PIG-PARADIGM.

When Art Meets Science

When we talk about art and science, they seem to be two topics so far apart. In this blog, Maria, our talented Ph.D. student and illustrator for the PIG-PARADIGM project, shares her personal story of when art meets science and the chemistry that brings.

Discover how her passion for drawing has seamlessly intertwined with her academic life, and how artistic expression breathes life into complex research topics, making science more accessible and engaging for all.

Connecting Minds, Sharing Insights: PIG-PARADIGM ECRs Join a Summer Course at WUR

Three Early Career Researchers (ECRs) from Aarhus University share their insights and knowledge gained during a one-week intensive summer course at Wageningen University & Research (WUR).

Highlights from PhD Course - Carbohydrates: Nutrition and Intestinal Health of Non-Ruminant Animals

Professor Knud Erik Bach Knudsen, core researcher in Nutrition Pillar, hosted a 2-week PhD course entitled "Carbohydrates with Emphasis on Nutrition and Intestinal Health of Non-Ruminant Animals." at AU Viborg, many PIG-PARADIGM PhD students attended this course.

Influence of soluble and insoluble fibers on piglet gut health

PhD student Antonia Vania Adji's work within PIG-PARADIGM focuses on the influence of dietary fiber on post-weaning diarrhea and gut health in piglets. Specifically, she investigates how soluble and insoluble fibers affect the mucosa, microbiota composition and activity, and nutrient digestibility in the gut of weaned piglets, as well as the progression of diarrhea.

Exploring Microbial Mysteries: Paving the Way for Healthier Humans and Happier Pigs

While many of PIG-PARADIGM researchers are dedicated to advancing fundamental knowledge of the pig gut microbiome and its interaction with nutrition and the host, we also have some participants who are exploring the physiological similarities between humans and pigs in digestive processes and enteric diseases.

In this blog, you will learn more about the parallel investigations into human-pig similarities within PIG-PARADIGM.

My time in Denmark

ECR Mike Loomans (Wageningen University & Research) has just returned from a 4-month cross-institution exchange in Demark. Explore how this invaluable experience not only enhanced his personal growth but also contributed to the progress of the Data Integration Pillar.