DCRC recognizes UW-Madison’s Iago Leão as its 2026 Scholar

Iago Matheus Rosa Leão, a PhD candidate in the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, earned the Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council’s (DCRC) 2026 Scholar award. As the award recipient, Leão won an expense-paid trip to attend the 2026 DCRC Annual Meeting, Nov. 10-12, in Columbus, Ohio.

A veterinarian from Minas Gerais, Brazil, Leão’s passion for dairy cattle started on his grandfather’s dairy farm. He earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Uberlandia Federal University (UFU), where he worked as a teaching assistant. Also, he interned with Ricarda Maria dos Santos, a UFU bovine reproductive physiology researcher. Leão gained enriching insights and hands-on experience in dairy cattle reproduction, under the guidance of dos Santos.

Leão’s master’s degree work at UW-Madison, under the guidance of JP Martins, focused on improving resynchronization programs for lactating dairy cows. His initial PhD research addressed developing a synchronization of ovulation protocol for dairy heifers that does not use progesterone (P4) implants. Currently, his research project aims to establish the hormonal profile of lactating dairy cows with early pregnancy loss, which is a major reproductive issue in dairy farms. “Our goal is to identify physiological characteristics associated with early embryonic loss in lactating dairy cows, providing a better understanding of this phenomenon and the development of strategies to mitigate it,” Leão stated.

The DCRC Scholars program recognizes an outstanding graduate student studying dairy, animal or veterinary science, microbiology or a related program, with an area of interest that includes dairy cattle reproduction and fertility. Applicants submitted an essay that detailed their interest in dairy cattle reproduction, career goals and research project(s), and their academic advisor provided a letter of recommendation.

The Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council is focused on bringing together all sectors of the dairy industry – producers, consultants, academia and allied industry professionals – for improved reproductive performance. DCRC provides an unprecedented opportunity for all groups to work together to take dairy cattle reproduction to the next level.