Gustavo D. Aguirre

Gustavo D. Aguirre, professor of medical genetics and ophthalmology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, was recently awarded the Proctor Medal from the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO).

 Dr. Aguirre was chosen for his development of unique canine models of retinal degeneration, which provide basic information about their counterpart human diseases. This preclinical work has established safety and efficacy for most of the clinical trial work in progress on neurotrophic factors as well as gene therapy.

The Proctor Medal, named in memory of Francis I. Proctor, honors outstanding scientific research as applied to ophthalmology. Established in 1949, it was the first ophthalmology-related award to honor non-clinicians in the field.