Michel Cayouette, PhD, presents during the 8th Annual David C. Beebe Lectureship in Vision Science
On October 2, 2025, the John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences hosted the 8th Annual David C. Beebe Lectureship as part of the Vision Science Seminar series. This year’s distinguished speaker, Michel Cayouette, PhD, delivered a lecture titled “Retinal Development and Regeneration.”
Cayouette, Director of the Cellular Neurobiology Research Unit at the Montreal Clinical Research Institute, explored emerging pathways in how retinal cells develop, respond to injury, and regenerate. His talk sparked lively discussion among faculty, trainees, and vision science researchers in attendance.
Dr. Michel Cayouette during his presentation.
Audience listening in Moore Auditorium
Betsy Beebe, wife of the late David C. Beebe, PhD, attends the 8th Annual Beebe Lectureship in Vision Science, honoring her husband’s legacy and contributions to ophthalmic research.
The David C. Beebe lecture provides the opportunity to annually recognize the outstanding achievements of an individual faculty in the field of Visual Systems Development. This years lecturer, Dr. Michel Cayouette, PhD personifies Dr. Beebe, both through his dedication to mentorship and performing significant basic science research on the developing retina to inform retinal regeneration and translational paradigms. As part of the visit, Dr. Cayouette was able to meet with our Department trainees and provide direct feedback on their work through participation in the Research Retreat and associated poster session.
Brian Clark, PhD
The Beebe Lectureship continues to honor the legacy of Dr. David C. Beebe, who was known for pioneering work in ocular development, lens biology, and mentorship of vision scientists. This annual lecture brings internationally recognized researchers to WashU, fostering cross-disciplinary dialogue and inspiring new directions in translational vision science.
About WashU Medicine
WashU Medicine is a global leader in academic medicine, including biomedical research, patient care and educational programs with 2,900 faculty. Its National Institutes of Health (NIH) research funding portfolio is the second largest among U.S. medical schools and has grown 56% in the last seven years. Together with institutional investment, WashU Medicine commits well over $1 billion annually to basic and clinical research innovation and training. Its faculty practice is consistently within the top five in the country, with more than 1,900 faculty physicians practicing at 130 locations and who are also the medical staffs of Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children’s hospitals of BJC HealthCare. WashU Medicine has a storied history in MD/PhD training, recently dedicated $100 million to scholarships and curriculum renewal for its medical students, and is home to top-notch training programs in every medical subspecialty as well as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and audiology and communications sciences.
