Graduate Student Spotlight: Hui Wen

Hui Wen successfully defended her dissertation on November 27th, earning a Ph.D. from Purdue University. Her research as a graduate student at Purdue specialized in quantitative genetics and animal welfare.

Wen received her bachelor’s degree in animal sciences and master’s degree in animal breeding, genetics and reproduction from China Agricultural University. During her pursuit of a master’s degree, she explored the genetic basis of supernumerary teats in dairy cattle, resulting in a publication in the Journal of Dairy Science and a patent related to supernumerary teats.

Wen started pursuing her doctoral degree in 2021, under the supervision of Luiz Brito, Ph.D. Her main research focus is heat stress, climatic resilience and genetic diversity in pigs. The ultimate goal of her research is to contribute to genetic improvement in the swine industry. 

More specifically, Wen's Ph.D. research identified genomic regions linked to heat stress resilience in sows and developed novel indicators to select heat-resistant individuals with improved performance. She also studied the global genomic diversity of Duroc pigs and the genetic links between longevity and key traits.

“My experience involved preparing coding pipeline, analyzing complex datasets and presenting findings, which helped me develop strong analytical and problem-solving skills while contributing to advancements in animal breeding and welfare,” Wen said.

Wen's time in the Purdue Animal Sciences Department honed her research skills and deepened her expertise in quantitative genetics and animal welfare. Her work on improving heat stress resilience in pigs prepared her to tackle real-world challenges in animal breeding. She also said that her work with her advisor impacted her career positively.

“Dr. Brito’s guidance, dedication and passion for research have inspired me and shaped my goals,” Wen said. “He has been a role model, showing me how to do meaningful work and strive for excellence in animal genetics research.”

Wen recently received the 2024 Lauren Christian Graduate Student Award from the National Swine Improvement Federation (NSIF).

“Receiving the 2024 Lauren Christian Graduate Student Award is a profound honor,” Wen said. “It recognizes my dedication to advancing swine genetics and welfare, and it fuels my passion to drive meaningful progress in the industry and improve the lives of animals.”

According to Wen, her greatest accomplishment as a Ph.D. student has been publishing five research papers. She also has nine more currently under review or in preparation.

“These publications reflect my dedication and contributions to advancing knowledge in animal sciences,” Wen said. “Sharing my work with the scientific community has been a fulfilling part of my academic journey.”

Wen chose to pursue degrees in animal sciences because of her passion for improving animal welfare and productivity. 

“The field allows me to address real-world challenges, such as enhancing genetic resilience to heat stress, and contribute to sustainable agriculture and better animal well-being,” Wen said.

Wen chose to attend Purdue for the opportunity to work with experts at a university with a strong reputation.

“I chose Purdue because of its strong reputation in animal sciences, as well as the opportunity to work with renowned experts like Dr. Luiz F. Brito,” Wen said. “Purdue offers excellent research resources, a collaborative environment and a focus on addressing real-world challenges in agriculture, which aligned perfectly with my academic and career goals.”

According to Wen, the animal sciences program at Purdue has three strengths: world-class faculty, cutting-edge research opportunities and an interdisciplinary approach to solving real-world challenges.

“The program fosters collaboration, provides access to advanced resources and technologies, and emphasizes both academic and professional development,” Wen said. “Its supportive and friendly environment encourages innovation and equips students with the skills needed for impactful careers in animal sciences. Additionally, the program offers numerous grants and funding opportunities to support graduate students in attending conferences and expanding their professional networks.”

Wen will graduate from Purdue this month. After she graduates, she will conduct postdoctoral research on heat stress in sows.

Wen shared that her advice for incoming graduate students is to stay curious, proactive and open to learning. 

“Take the time to build strong relationships with your advisor and peers, as mentorship and collaboration are invaluable,” Wen said. “Manage your time effectively, balance research with personal well-being and don’t hesitate to seek help when needed. Most importantly, stay focused on your goals and enjoy the journey — it’s a time of growth, exploration and incredible opportunities.”