Dr. García Morante's career is a success story and a source of inspiration for future industrial doctoral students. From her work in Germany to her teaching experience in the United States, Dr. García Morante has demonstrated an adaptability and vision that are fundamental in the world of collaborative research. His research applied to respiratory diseases in the pig sector has had a considerable impact in the academic, industrial and social fields.
A benchmark trajectory
The industrial doctor Beatriz García Morante is a very good example of a bridge between the academic and socio-economic fields. Specialized in respiratory diseases that affect the pig sector, her professional career represents a role model in the dynamic world of collaborative research. With a strong academic background and a multidisciplinary approach, Dr. García Morante has been able to navigate the waters that separate basic research from its practical applications in industry.
His industrial doctorate project was developed with the collaboration between the international pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim, the Center for Research in Animal Health (CReSA) which is part of the Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA) and the Autonomous University of Barcelona. The project was co-directed by Dr. Marina Sibila and Dr. Joaquim Segalés, whom we interviewed during 2021. "This industrial doctorate project was born with the aim of optimizing and standardizing the experimental model of M. hyopneumoniae used in the development and testing of drugs and health products in pigs," highlights Dr. García Morante.
Once the industrial doctorate was completed, the relationship with the company was maintained. Specifically, he became part of one of the company's centers in Hannover (Germany), dedicated specifically to animal health research, where he was able to lead, manage and supervise different projects simultaneously. Subsequently, he did a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Minnesota (United States), where he met other work teams and was able to expand his professional connections, and also resumed his academic career supervising bachelor's and master's students. Currently, as a researcher at IRTA, she continues to collaborate with Boehringer Ingelheim.
Their research has not only provided relevant scientific advances in the study of respiratory diseases in pigs, but has also been able to translate this knowledge into practical applications that have a direct impact on the quality of life of animals, on the sustainability of the sector and, by extension, on public health.
For this successful trajectory, and with the desire to serve as inspiration, the industrial doctor Garcia Morante was invited to welcome the commemoration of the ten years of the Industrial Doctorates Plan on October 3 of this year.
The severity of respiratory diseases in the Pig sector
The pig industry has a very important weight in Catalonia and is one of the main ones in Europe. For this reason, it is crucial that all parties, in this case the pigs, are in the best possible state of health.
This idea of keeping pigs healthy goes beyond simple animal health. It is part of a broader approach known as "One Health," which recognizes that animal health, human health, and ecosystem health are all interconnected. According to Dr. Garcia Morante: "Enjoying health is essential for animal welfare, but also to achieve food security and promote sustainable meat production systems."
However, in this context, there is one bacterium that is particularly problematic: M. hyopneumoniae. This small microorganism is one of the main culprits of respiratory infections in pig farms around the world. And we are not talking about a sporadic infection; It is an issue that is widespread in many of the countries that have significant pig production. Although we know that this bacterium is a serious problem, there are still many unanswered questions about how exactly it works. According to Dr. García Morante, "there are still many gaps in the understanding of the complex pathogenesis of this disease." These gaps represent a challenge for researchers and animal health professionals, and it should be added that this disease is difficult to reproduce experimentally. In this context, the need for strategic and collaborative research in this area became evident.
Studying a disease in a laboratory often involves creating an "experimental model"; that is, a simplified version of the disease that scientists can manipulate and observe under controlled conditions. Thus, they can learn more about how the disease develops and how to fight it. In short, according to Garcia Morante: "a validated experimental model of M. hyopneumoniae that ensures the homogeneous reproduction of pneumonia in infected pigs is of interest to the pharmaceutical industry".
The Impact of the Industrial Doctorates Plan on Research
The truth is that IRTA-CReSA had already had specific activities with companies in applied science projects, but with "industrial doctorates a much closer collaboration is established, participating directly in the company's R+D+I" says García Morante. It is important to remember that with an industrial doctorate, companies have the possibility of addressing their strategic needs, attracting talent and improving their competitiveness: "we understand that an industrial doctorate requires a deep understanding of the company's priorities and challenges, and a focus on generating results that have a direct impact and added value for the organization," concludes the doctor.
The project has made it possible to improve the conditions of the experimental model of M. hyopneumoniae with a greater impact on the reproduction of pneumonia in pigs. From optimizing the growth of strains of the bacterium in a laboratory environment, to identifying immunological markers (indicators that can be measured without having to sacrifice the animal) that allow the evolution of the disease to be followed.
The results of this research are very relevant because they serve as a basis for future scientific studies, but they are also a powerful tool for pharmaceutical companies. With this model, companies can develop more effective drugs and treatments with greater confidence in their results to tackle the disease.
The experience with the Industrial Doctorates Plan
According to the doctor herself, the experience of an industrial doctorate has offered her a unique opportunity to combine academic experience with business practice, expanding her job options beyond the university environment. However, this type of training encourages the development of transversal skills and the creation of professional networks in various sectors. In addition, the experience in multidisciplinary teamwork enriches the vision and the ability to solve problems, qualities that are valuable in current research projects: "this multidisciplinary perspective has allowed me to acquire a holistic vision and a comprehensive approach to problem solving".
During the conversation we were able to have with Dr. Garcia Morante, she wanted to offer advice to future industrial doctoral students to make the most of their experience: "It is essential to demonstrate initiative and proactivity, to propose ideas to improve processes or solve problems, and to look for opportunities to work in collaboration with other teams and departments within the company”. Apart from this, he considers that the experience of an oriental industrial doctorate is enjoyed by the research staff in training towards applied research.
