Prof. Santiago Peralta

Dr. Santiago Peralta, DVM, DAVDC, is an Associate Professor in the Section of Dentistry and Oral Surgery at Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine. He earned his veterinary degree from La Salle University in Bogotá, Colombia, in 1999. After six years in private practice, he completed a residency in Veterinary Dentistry and Oral Surgery at the University of California, Davis, in 2009. Dr. Peralta joined Cornell's faculty in 2011. He is a Diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College and a Founding Fellow of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

Dr. Peralta's research focuses on the microbial pathogenesis of dental diseases in dogs and cats, molecular mechanisms of oral tumorigenesis, and the clinical, surgical, epidemiological, and genetic aspects of palatal defects in canines.

He has been recognized with several awards, including the Foundation for Veterinary Dentistry Research Award in 2016 and 2018, and the Jaguar Award for Excellence in Teaching and Research of Companion or Wild Animal Odontology in 2018. In his clinical role, Dr. Peralta specializes in diagnosing and treating dental, oral, and maxillofacial diseases in small animals. He is actively involved in clinical trials, such as investigating new drug treatments for oral squamous cell carcinoma in dogs.

His work also explores parallels between human and canine oral tumors, aiming to develop new therapies that could benefit both species. Dr. Peralta is a member of the Cornell Feline Health Center's faculty associates, contributing his expertise to advance feline health.

His dedication to research, teaching, and clinical practice continues to enhance the field of veterinary dentistry and oral surgery, improving the health and well-being of companion animals.