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 live-stock to safeguard global health.
Mohak’s academic roots run deep in zoology and animal sciences. After earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Mumbai University, he explored everything from molecular biology and genetics to marine biology and oceanography. His early research took him to the seabed, studying benthic organisms at India’s National Institute of Oceanography, and later to the microscopic world of sponges and human gut microbiomes at the National Center for Cell Science, Pune.
It was during these projects that Mohak discovered his passion for microbiome data analysis—a shift from the pipette-heavy wet lab to computational approaches. “I realized how powerful data could be in understanding health, whether in humans or animals,” he recalls.
Joining PIG-PARADIGM
In 2023, Mohak found the perfect match for his ambitions: a PhD position within PIG-PARADIGM. His project, titled Microbiome signatures of pig intestinal health, zeroes in on a critical question: Can we predict post-weaning diarrhea in piglets before it happens?
Post-weaning diarrhea is a major cause of mortality in pig farming, traditionally managed with antibiotics—a practice that fuels antimicrobial resistance and poses a global One Health risk. Mohak’s work aims to change that.
Predicting disease before it strikes
Using advanced statistical models and machine learning techniques, Mohak analyzes gut microbiota in piglets during their first 25 days of life. His goal? To identify early biomarkers that signal which piglets are likely to develop post-weaning diarrhea.
“We’ve found something fascinating,” Mohak explains. “On day 18, certain bacteria—and even weight patterns—can predict future illness.” While initial microbiome signals proved elusive, Mohak and his team uncovered a breakthrough: relative weight ratio as a physiological biomarker. Piglets with low weight gain compared to their birth weight are significantly more likely to need antibiotic treatment later.
“This could be a game-changer,” he says. “Farmers could simply weigh piglets on day 18 and intervene early—without relying on antibiotics.”
Halfway there and eyes on the future
Two and a half years into his PhD, Mohak is optimistic. His findings could soon translate into practical tools for pig farmers, reducing antibiotic use and improving animal welfare. Beyond this project, his vision is clear: to advance microbiome-based therapeutics for both animals and humans using multi-omics approaches.
Lessons beyond the lab
PIG-PARADIGM has been more than a research experience for Mohak—it’s been a lesson in collaboration. “I’ve learned how to be critical of my own work, how to use machine learning effectively, and how to work across borders,” he says. Annual consortium meetings have given him not just scientific insights but lasting friendships and networks.
As Mohak looks ahead to the second half of his PhD, his research demonstrates how data-driven approaches can inform better health strategies for livestock.