William Beltran received his DVM degree from the National Veterinary College of Alfort (Paris, France) in 1994, and pursued a residency in Veterinary Ophthalmology from 1997 to 2000. He earned a PhD in Comparative Biomedical Sciences from Cornell University in 2006. He then joined in 2006 the faculty of the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania as an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology. Dr. Beltran’s research is focused at examining the cellular and molecular mechanisms of photoreceptor death in canine models of retinal degeneration, and developing novel therapeutic approaches aimed at curing or slowing the progression of this group of diseases. Research currently conducted in Dr. Beltran’s laboratory includes examining the pathways of cell death in X-Linked Progressive Retinal Atrophy, as well as elucidating the pathogenesis of light induced retinal degeneration. Dr. Beltran’s interests also include evaluating neuroprotective agents that could be used to treat dogs and human patients. Dr. Beltran is the current chair of the ECVO's Education and Residency Committee.