People

Our lab’s research focuses on understanding the role of different subsets of T cells in suppressive tumor microenvironments and the development of novel tumor therapeutic strategies using metabolic and molecular reprogramming of T cell fate and function for enhanced tumor immunity and immunotherapy.

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to start residency at Washington University in my hometown of St. Louis. My draws to the program are the high-volume operative exposure, research opportunities, and awesome people.

Dr. Pipkorn’s areas of clinical interest include head and neck benign and malignant lesions, thyroid tumors, parathyroid, sinonasal benign and malignant tumors, and reconstruction of head and neck defects.

Dr. Rich performs surgical removal of head and neck tumors as well as advanced reconstruction of the head and neck. He has broad expertise in treating advanced skin cancers such as melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and Merkel cell carcinoma. He also has expertise in treating mucosal, thyroid and parotid cancers.

“I was so thrilled to get the opportunity to stay and train at Washington University and its incredible otolaryngology department. More than just a place on the cutting edge of practice and research, it is filled with amazing people through and through.”

Dr. Roland is a specialist in rhinology and anterior skull base disease, including chronic rhinosinusitis, nasal polyps, fungal sinusitis, nasal obstruction, and CSF leaks.

“I was drawn to WashU by the exceptionally strong and well-rounded surgical training, the quality of research, the livability of the city of St. Louis, and the world-renowned faculty. I was ultimately sold on the supportive and collegial culture conveyed by faculty and resident interviewers, who were as congenial and down-to-earth as they are esteemed and accomplished.”

“I am thrilled to join the WashU community and begin my career in otolaryngology! It is an honor to be able to train at a program that balances an incredible clinical and surgical training with limitless research opportunities, all in a collaborative and supportive environment.”

Electrical and chemical signaling across membranes, neural temporal code, spike generation, molecular anatomy of synapses, membrane excitability disorders, auditory and vestibular systems, synaptic electrophysiology, sensory hair cells, spiral ganglion neurons, ribbon synapses, ion channel organization and function, nano-scale microscopy, Ca2+ and voltage imaging, mutational analysis, computational modeling, cochlear implants, structure-function relationships, synaptic development and heterogeneity, genetics of hearing and deafness, optogenetics, mitochondria, network and synaptic plasticity, efferent neuromodulation of sensory processing, prevention of hearing loss.

Hair cells are the sensory receptors of sound, motion, and spatial orientation. Exposure to excessively loud noise or certain drugs can permanently damage hair cells and their connections to nerve fibers. My lab investigates the cellular mechanisms of noise-induced and chemical hair-cell damage using zebrafish as a model for human hearing and deafness.

Emily Spataro, MD, specializes in rhinoplasties for both functional and cosmetic purposes, facial Mohs reconstructions, facial trauma, cosmetic surgeries and procedures such as Botox, fillers, brow lifts, eyelid surgeries, facelifts/necklifts, laser and chemical peels for skin resurfacing.

I am very honored and excited to be at one of the best clinical and research training programs in the country. I chose WashU for its high-operative volume, supportive faculty and residents, resources, and research opportunities.

“I’m excited to be joining this group of amazing physicians at such an impressive institution!”

I am thrilled to embark on this incredible journey with WashU Otolaryngology! The opportunity to train alongside esteemed faculty and fellow residents in such a dynamic and supportive environment is truly a dream come true. I am eager to contribute to WashU’s rich tradition of clinical excellence and groundbreaking research, and I cannot wait to immerse myself in all that this prestigious program has to offer.

Research Interests: Speech perception by hearing-impaired listeners, especially cochlear implant users; perception of talker-specific properties of speech by cochlear implant users, perception of suprasegmental speech characteristics and its relation to learning words; psychoacoustic abilities of cochlear implant users and of persons with unilateral hearing loss.

I was drawn to Washington University in St. Louis for its longstanding history of innovation and discovery fueled by research, its culture of collaboration, and clinical breadth and depth in otolaryngology. On interview day, I felt very welcomed and continue to feel welcomed and supported by everyone I have met here.

“Impressed by the world-class surgical training alongside research expertise from approachable faculty.”

Dr. Wahle specializes in head and neck surgical oncology, head and neck reconstructive surgery, microvascular reconstructive surgery/free tissue transfer, and transoral robotic surgery.

Research in my lab focuses on the development and regeneration of sensory receptors and afferent neurons in the inner ear. 

“I am ecstatic to match into otolaryngology at Washington University in St. Louis, and I am honored to be able to train at a place with both surgical and research excellence. I look forward to working hard with supportive co-residents and faculty, learning all I can, and taking care of patients as I continue on my path to become a surgeon-scientist!”

“I am thrilled to start my career in otolaryngology at WashU and join an incredible group of faculty, residents, and supportive family. I am excited to train with excellent leaders and mentors in the field and be part of an amazing culture that cultivates great clinical training and research opportunities!”

My work focuses on understanding the role of the cerebellar nodulus and uvula (NU) in motion perception and spatial navigation. We aim to understand how NU processes the vestibular signals arriving directly or indirectly from the vestibular organs (otolith and semicircular canal afferents).

Dr. Zolkind is a head and neck specialist that treats benign and malignant head and neck tumors, salivary gland tumors and thyroid and parathyroid disorders. He specializes in transoral robotic surgery and microvascular reconstruction.