The National Academy of Medicine (NAM) announced during its annual meeting on Oct 19th, 2020  the election of 90 regular members and 10 international members that included Dr William A. Beltran, DVM, PhD, Dip. ECVO, professor of ophthalmology and director of the Division of Experimental Retinal Therapies (ExpeRTs), Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine (CSAM), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Dr Beltran has been recognized for his translational research that has provided the scientific community with several clinically relevant large-animal models of inherited retinal degeneration, which he has used successfully to test neuroprotective, optogenetic, and gene therapy strategies, which have led to human clinical trials. Dr Beltran is the director of the Division of ExpeRTs which is dedicated to providing the necessary scientific and technical support to facilitate the development, testing and screening of new retinal therapies that can prevent blindness in humans and their animal companions.  Election to the Academy is considered one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine.

Link: https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/five-penn-faculty-elected-national-academy-medicine