About Us

The Sylvia M. Van Sloun Laboratory team is composed of board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists, molecular biologists, and biostatisticians who have identified numerous inherited diseases and traits in domestic animals and who have developed genetic tests to help reduce the incidence of such diseases in the breed population, and who have advanced the field of molecular biology. The Laboratory’s primary focus is identifying inherited eye diseases in dogs. Our research is in tune with the Division of Experimental Retinal Therapies and supports its investigators and clinicians.

Through collaborations with academic investigators and sponsored research by breeding clubs, our team of investigators provides unique and complementary expertise that perfectly integrates our specialization in molecular genetics and bioinformatics.

Penn Vet Members

Co-Director, Sylvia M. Van Sloun Laboratory

Gustavo D. Aguirre, VMD, PhD, DACVO

Professor of Medical Genetics and Ophthalmology

Co-Director, Sylvia M. Van Sloun Laboratory

Leo Murgiano, PhD

Senior Research Investigator

Co-Director, Sylvia M. Van Sloun Laboratory for Canine Genomic Analysis

William A. Beltran, DVM, PhD, DECVO

Corinne R. and Henry Bower Professor of Ophthalmology

Dr. Beltran is a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist. He consults at the Ryan Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, and teaches clinical ophthalmology to veterinary students.

Valerie L. Dufour, DVM, DECVO

Assistant Professor of Translational Ophthalmology

Valérie L. Dufour, DVM, MSc, dip. ECVO, is an assistant Professor of small animal ophthalmology in the Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine. She received her veterinary degree from […]

Jessica K. Niggel , MSc

Research Assistant

Elizabeth Greif, PhD

Postdoctoral Researcher

Lydia Melnyk

Senior Research Coordinator

Affiliated Members

Kathleen Boesze-Battaglia, PhD

Professor of Biochemistry & Biophysics, Penn Dental

Margret L. Casal, DVM, PhD, DECAR

Professor of Medical Genetics, Reproduction, and Pediatrics

Dr. Casal graduated from the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zürich in Switzerland in 1984. She became the Associate in the pathology Department and Small Animal Reproduction, University of […]