Single approach shows promise for hearing loss and neurological disorders

A team of Washington University scientists is working on a “one-size-fits-all” approach to help prevent hearing loss and a variety of neurological and neurodegenerative disorders. Many sensory and neurological disorders are caused by the over-activation of neurons by the neurotransmitter glutamate. Compounds that can block the various classes of glutamate receptors are well known to […]

Disentangling the vestibular schwannoma tumor microenvironment

In a first-of-its-kind study, two Washington University residents – Tom Barrett, MD (Otolaryngology), and Bhuvic Patel, MD (Neurosurgery) – employed two novel single cell genomic techniques to reveal an injury-like process related to the growth of vestibular schwannomas (VS).  The study, accepted for publication in the journal Nature Communications, is the first to examine the […]

Kim brings groundbreaking imaging techniques to WashU ENT

photo of Kim and family

Jinkyung Kim, PhD, has joined the Department of Otolaryngology at Washington University School of Medicine. A specialist in biological imaging, Kim has developed novel techniques that allow real time observation of cellular activity in the living mammalian cochlea. Kim received her doctoral degree at the School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering, POSTECH, Pohang, Republic of […]

WashU ENT makes strong showing at annual meeting

photo of AAO participants

Faculty, fellows and residents from the Department of Otolaryngology at Washington University shared their latest research and surgical expertise at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNSF) in Nashville, Sept. 30-Oct. 4. Panel presentations John Chi, MD, MPHS: Rhinoplasty of the Asian Nose Nyssa Farrell, MD: Postoperative Care in […]

Physician-scientist trainees adopt research projects

photo of physician-scientist trainees

Physician-scientist trainees in the Department of Otolaryngology at Washington University devote two additional years of residency to original research. Four such residents – the first of the new R25 funding mechanism – have chosen their research projects and are aggressively collecting data and seeking answers that will improve patient care worldwide. Amrita Hari-Raj, MD Project […]

Roland leads effort to improve prevention and treatment of invasive fungal sinusitis

photo of Lauren Roland, MD

Washington University rhinologist Lauren Roland, MD, MSCI, is leading the charge to improve the prevention and treatment of invasive fungal sinusitis, a rare but aggressive disease with high mortality rates. About 1 in 7 adults in the US will be affected by sinusitis each year, caused by allergens, irritants, virus, bacteria or fungi. The vast […]

Team Heads Up is on a roll!

Pedal the Cause team Heads Up, representing the Department of Otolaryngology at Washington University, has a record 65 members this year. The team is comprised of cancer survivors, faculty, staff, and children. They need your help to raise money for cancer research. Here’s how you can donate: Children can help too! Jack and Grant Zolkind […]

Ogura Lectureship highlights advances in ENT

The 41st annual Ogura Lectureship and 36th annual Resident Research Day were held June 23 to a capacity crowd at the Eric P. Newman Education Center on the medical school campus of Washington University. The invited guest speaker was Tessa Hadlock, MD, Fazzalari-Grousbeck Endowed Professor of Otology and Laryngology at Harvard Medical School, and Director […]

Advancing personalized medicine one cell at a time

photo of Puram lab team evaluating data

Washington University cancer scientists, led by Head and Neck Surgery Division Chief Sid Puram, MD, PhD, are using single cell genetic analysis to better understand the complexities of head and neck cancer and improve personalized medicine. Personalized medicine is an emerging practice of medicine that uses an individual’s unique genetic profile to help guide prevention, […]

WashU leads effort to standardize the Common Sounds Audiogram

illustration of common sounds audiogram

A team of WashU researchers is working to standardize a common hearing test to improve parents’ understanding of their child’s hearing loss and provide better counseling on hearing interventions. Leading the effort are Otolaryngology faculty Rosalie Uchanski, PhD, and Lisa Davidson, PhD, and former audiology student Cory Hillis. When an infant is diagnosed with hearing […]