Research Area

    William Beltran

    Penn Vet Researchers Evaluate a New Device That Could Streamline Vision-Saving Therapies

    Retinal blindness caused by the death of photoreceptors, the light-sensing cells within the retina, affects millions of people worldwide. Novel gene and cell therapies to prevent or rescue vision loss…

    Photomicrograph shows a small number of transplanted human cells

    Hope for cell-based retinal repair: Penn Vet study finds key to improving survival of transplanted cells

    Researchers identify metabolic stress as an obstacle to photoreceptor transplantation highlighting a critical window for therapeutic intervention.

    Raghavi Sudharsan and William Beltran sitting in a lab.

    New tools to treat retinal degenerations at advanced stages of disease (link is external)

    A collaborative team of researchers led by vision scientists at the School of Veterinary Medicine have developed novel promoters that drive strong and specific gene expression in rod and cone…

    Two people standing in a lab.

    New genetic cause of blindness in dogs (link is external)

    In collaboration with a foundation that breeds service dogs for the visually impaired, researchers at the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Padova…

    State Capitol Building of Pennsylvania

    University of Pennsylvania Avian Influenza Experts Provide Briefing to Pennsylvania Policy Makers

    As concerns about the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak continue to grow, experts from the University’s School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) and Perelman School of Medicine (PSOM) visited…

    two chickens are standing in the grass

    University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine Leading Collaborative Effort Against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

    Since 2022, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has rapidly spread throughout the Americas and poses ongoing risks to wildlife, livestock, and human health. The current outbreak is notable for infecting…

    A flock of snow geese.

    How Penn is helping with bird flu research and disease surveillance (link is external)

    Faculty are working on a new vaccine for the H5N1 virus, studying its transmission, and helping the state test samples from birds and mammals.

    John Wherry speaking in front of people.

    Innovation and Collaboration Shine at 30th Annual Penn Vet Research Retreat

    The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) celebrated its history of groundbreaking research during the 30th Anniversary Research Retreat, held at the Inn at Swarthmore on November 1,…

    What to know about the current avian influenza outbreak (link is external)

    Louise Moncla and Aliza Simeone of Penn Vet and Kathleen Hall Jamieson of the Annenberg Public Policy Center share helpful information for the public.

    Two people standing in a workshop.

    Penn Vet’s Wildlife Futures Program Launches Habitat Initiative for Philadelphia Bats

    In an effort to support local bat populations, the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine’s (Penn Vet) Wildlife Futures Program (WFP) has facilitated the design and construction of a…