Pablo Llerena, MD

Pablo Llerena, MD

MD: Rutgers Health Robert Woods Johnson Medical School

I am thrilled to have matched with WashU Medicine, a program renowned for its exceptional clinical training and unparalleled research opportunities. It’s truly an honor to join the legacy of outstanding physicians who have trained here.

Hometown: Queens, NY

Personal Statement: I am thrilled to have matched with WashU Medicine, a program renowned for its exceptional clinical training and unparalleled research opportunities. It’s truly an honor to join the legacy of outstanding physicians who have trained here.

Education

Undergraduate:

MD: Rutgers Health Robert Woods Johnson Medical School

Honors & Awards

  • Summer Research Fellowship Award, 2021
  • Top Oral Presentation for Student Trainee at the Translational and Cellular Oncology Meeting, 2024
  • Top Poster Presentation at the Pennsylvania Academy of Otolaryngology, 2024

Publications

  1. Pai KK, Omiunu AO, Llerena PA, et al. Localized laryngeal amyloidosis: A systematic review. Am J Otolaryngol. 2022;43(5):103550. doi:10.1016/j.amjoto.2022.103550. PMID: 35917657.
  2. Mastrolonardo EV, Llerena P, Lu J, et al. Obesity and Survival After Immune Checkpoint Inhibition for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2024;150(8):688-694. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2024.1568. PMID: 38958948.
  3. Mastrolonardo EV, Nunes KL, Llerena P, et al. Response-Adaptive Surgical Timing in Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy Demonstrates Enhanced Pathologic Treatment Response in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Clin Cancer Res. 2025;31(3):515-528. doi:10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-24-0037. PMID: 39585339.
  4. Mastrolonardo EV, Llerena P, De Ravin E, et al. Improved survival with elevated BMI following immune checkpoint inhibition across various solid tumor types. Cancer. 2025;131(6):e35799. doi:10.1002/cncr.35799. PMID: 40069917.
  5. Nunes KL, Jegede V, Mann DS, Llerena P, et al. A Randomized Pilot Trial of Virtual Reality Surgical Planning for Head and Neck Oncologic Resection. Laryngoscope. 2025;135(3):1090-1097. doi:10.1002/lary.31874. PMID: 39530249.
  6. Llerena P, Wang K, Puram SV, et al. National analysis of positive surgical margins in oropharyngeal salivary gland malignancies. Am J Otolaryngol. 2022;43(5):103527. doi:10.1016/j.amjoto.2022.103527. PMID: 35687939.
  7. Bollig CA, Wang K, Llerena P, et al. National Analysis of Oropharyngeal Salivary Gland Malignancies Treated With Transoral Robotic Surgery. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2022;166(5):886-893. doi:10.1177/01945998211031161. PMID: 34311621.
  8. Mastrolonardo EV, Llerena P, Curry JM. Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma-Reply. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2025;151(2):177-178. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2024.3965. PMID: 39602144.
  9. Shing SR, Armache M, Llerena P, et al. Atypical Presentation and Postoperative Management of Vagal Nerve Tumors. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2024;133(12):1037-1041. doi:10.1177/00034894241288416. PMID: 39369307.
  10. Shapiro SB, Llerena PA, Mowery TM, et al. Subtemporalis Muscle Middle Cranial Fossa Bone-Island Craniotomy Technique for Placement of an Active Transcutaneous Bone-Conduction Implant. Otol Neurotol. 2023;44(1):54-60. doi:10.1097/MAO.0000000000003760. PMID: 36509440.
  11. Bollig CA, Walia A, Pipkorn P, Llerena P, et al. Perioperative Outcomes in Patients Who Underwent Fibula, Osteocutaneous Radial Forearm, and Scapula Free Flaps: A Multicenter Study. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2022;148(10):965-972. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2022.2440. PMID: 36074455.
  12. Mastrolonardo EV, Llerena P, Amin DR, et al. Artery Grafting for Arterial Anastomoses in Head and Neck Free Tissue Transfer Reconstruction. Microsurgery. 2024;44(6):e31232. doi:10.1002/micr.31232. PMID: 39268849.
  13. Bridgham K, Llerena P, Kumar A, et al. The use of 3D computer-aided design to optimize photoimmunotherapy catheter placement. Oral Oncol. 2025;166:107365. doi:10.1016/j.oraloncology.2025.107365. PMID: 40412308.
  14. Mastrolonardo EV, Sussman S, Llerena P, et al. Flow-Through Flaps for Advanced Free Flap Reconstruction in the Head and Neck: A Multi-Institutional Experience. Head Neck. 2025;47(5):1462-1470. doi:10.1002/hed.28061. PMID: 39760171.
  15. Hambach B, Patel J, Nunes K, Llerena P, et al. Impact of Implantable Hearing Devices on Delirium Risk in Patients with Hearing Loss: A National Database Study. Otol Neurotol. 2025. doi:10.1097/MAO.0000000000004416. PMID: 40059784.
  16. Llerena P, Kaki P, DeKloe J, et al. Comprehensive management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea with CPAP in a Surgical Otolaryngology Practice. Laryngoscope. In press.
  17. Llerena P, Samarah H, Nunes K, et al. Extracellular matrix-myCAF signatures correlate with resistance to neoadjuvant aPD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibition with durvalumab + metformin in HPV+ HNSCC. Clin Cancer Res. 2025. Manuscript Number: CCR-25-1098R11. In press.