Otolaryngology faculty present research, clinical innovations across US

With the wide acceptance of virtual presentations during COVID, Department of Otolaryngology faculty have been invited to share their research and clinical innovations to audiences around the world. Recent highlights include: Craig Buchman, MD Grand rounds at the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Pittsburgh: “Electrocochleography in cochlear implantation” Grand rounds at the Department of Medicine […]

Shew receives award to study benefits of cochlear implants using AI

Neurotology Fellow Matthew Shew, MD, was recently named one of four recipients of the Dean’s Scholars Award from the School of Medicine at Washington University in St. Louis. Dr. Shew’s research efforts are focused on optimizing the benefits of cochlear implants by using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning.  The Dean’s Scholars program supports outstanding […]

Otolaryngology researchers prepare for first virtual ARO Meeting

Researchers preview poster session virtually

The hearing science community is tackling the COVID-19 pandemic like everyone else – going virtual. But, that’s no easy task for the Midwinter Meeting of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology (ARO), which has attracted more than 1,200 attendees in recent years.  To allow greater participation in online activities, poster sessions will open almost two […]

Researchers seek to correct COVID-19-related loss of smell

Loss of smell, also known as anosmia, is one of the most common symptoms of COVID-19. The Clinical Outcomes Research Office led by Washington University Professor of Otolaryngology Jay Piccirillo, MD, and Assistant Professor Dorina Kallogjeri, MD, has been conducting olfactory research for the past four years. The lab has investigated several treatments for persistent […]

ENT researcher works to optimize benefits of cochlear implants in children

Nearly all parents of children born with severe-to-profound bilateral hearing loss want their child to develop spoken language and literacy skills commensurate with those of their peers with healthy hearing.  This is important for social and academic development. Lisa Davidson, PhD, and her lab are determined to help optimize the benefits of cochlear implants (CIs) […]

ENT researcher Angela Mazul strives to understand health disparities

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a greater impact on minority populations than others. Unfortunately, health disparities like this are not uncommon. Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology Angela Mazul, PhD, hopes to better understand why these disparities exist and how they can be resolved. Dr. Mazul’s research is focused on health disparities in head and neck cancer […]

Q&A with Tim Holden, staff scientist

Tim Holden reviews cochlear implant placement images.

We recently sat down with Staff Scientist Tim Holden to celebrate his 35-year service to the department and to find out how an engineer found his way to a fledgling cochlear implant program. According to Cochlear Implant Program Director Jill Firszt, PhD, Tim has had a significant impact on the WUSM CI program for more […]

ENT expands research efforts with new clinical trials

The Department of Otolaryngology is one of the top five recipients of National Institutes of Health funding for otolaryngology research in the U.S., making it one of the leaders in the field. The department currently has 176 open research projects, according to Sara Kukuljan, manager of the division of clinical research. These include: clinical and […]

Q&A with Val Militchin, research engineer

What do you do at WashU?  I am a research engineer in the Department of Otolaryngology. I provide technical support and programming, and I design new equipment so the laboratories are able to achieve their goals.   What attracted you to otolaryngology research? What do you like about what you do?  By chance, I met Dr. […]

Q&A with Jared Hartsock, research lab supervisor

Jared Hartsock, research supervisor, illustrates pet portraits in his spare time

What do you do at WashU? I am the research lab supervisor in Dr. Alec Salt’s lab and conduct research studies on pharmacokinetics (movements of drugs) in the inner ear. We focus on understanding how quickly a drug spreads inside the ear and the therapeutic levels needed to treat ear disorders. In addition to local […]