Research

Otolaryngology’s research includes clinical and basic research involving such diverse topics as head and neck cancer prevention and treatment, speech pathology, taste receptor identification, outer ear hair cell physiology, reconstructive surgery, and surgical simulation in education. The basic science research is done mainly by Ph.D. scientists and is funded primarily with NIH grants. Otolaryngology continues long–term research into the membrane properties of cells of the outer hair cell system of the ear. Our work in taste psychophysics, taste genetics, and dietary behaviors is world–renowned. Specific research includes:

• Somatosensation and taste; taste function in disease states
• Phonetic perception
• Developing computational models of audio–visual speech production
• Quantifying glottic closing force induced by varying levels of central facilitation, selective denervation, and by thyroplasty
• Dysphagia diagnostics and rehabilitation in acute care
• Understanding normal peripheral auditory function to effectively treat inner ear deafness
• Structure and chemistry of neurons in the mammalian auditory system in normal, developing and pathological systems
• Asthma management outcomes improvement
• Micro–endoscopic endonasal surgery
• Chemokines and its receptors in mucosal defense
• Surgical simulation in endoscopic sinus surgery
• Characterizing molecular signatures of squamous cell carcinoma in several sub–sites of the head and neck
• Surgical outcome in head and neck cancer

Otolaryngology is immensely indebted to the Christopher McFadden Endowment, the John Mirikitani Endowment, the Harmon Endowment, and the Jo and Gus Berkes Endowment for support of our basic research. The Virginia Wright Fund and Helen Kelly Fund provide support of our clinical research efforts. The Charles W. Ohse funds for surgical research that has resulted in an endowed professorship for the Section Chief, as well as, a department–wide surgical research fund that culminates in an annual research presentation.