Monica Balasch received her DVM degree in 1992 from the Autonomous University of Barcelona. She then studied for a PhD at the Veterinary Pathology Department of the same University, on "Persistency studies of Aujeszky's disease virus in pigs", getting the PhD degree in 1996. In 1997, Monica joined Fort Dodge Veterinaria R&D Department, as project leader, developing projects related mainly to swine vaccines. She is currently R&D EU Swine Director in Zoetis Spain. Monica got the ECPHM Diplomate status in 2007, as a de facto member.