Contact Information

Email: billiebc@msu.edu

Education

• DVM, Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
• MBA, Tel-Aviv University
• PhD, Vision Science, University of California-Berkeley
• FAAO, American Academy of Optometry
• DACVO, American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists
• BSc, Medical and Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University

Dr. Beckwith-Cohen earned her veterinary degree at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, in Israel. After a period of engagement in general practice, she returned to academia and completed a fellowship in comparative ocular pathology at the Comparative Ocular Pathology Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She then completed a rotating internship at VCA West LA, followed by a PhD in Vision Science in retinal research at the laboratory of Richard Kramer. Following her PhD, she completed a four-year residency in comparative ophthalmology at Michigan State University, where she continued her research in retinal disease and therapeutics. Beckwith-Cohen has been the recipient of many awards and honors throughout her path, and in 2024 she became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, following which she accepted a position at Michigan State University.

Dr. Beckwith-Cohen is two-time Ezell fellow and has received awards for her contributions to vision research and glaucoma from the American Academy of Optometry. She is a Fellow of the American academy of optometry in Vision Research. She was an honorary fellow in ocular pathology through the University of WI-Madison for four years. She was a recipient of grants and funding through the national eye institute at the NIH, the Vision for Animal Foundation through the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmology, the intramural Endowed Research Fund at Michigan State University and much more.

She has written numerous scientific articles on different aspects of veterinary ophthalmology and presented her research in various countries around the world. Dr. Beckwith-Cohen is also committed to diversity and impactful contributions to the vision science and the veterinary fields. She is routinely engaged in committee work and supports her communities through teaching, mentorship and as an active reviewer in several journals in the fields of vision and ophthalmology. Dr. Beckwith-Cohen is a passionate researcher and compassionate clinician, with a life-goal to improve vision and advance ocular health for animals and humans.