Otolaryngology (Head and Neck Surgery)
Showing 101-196 of 196 Results
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Bohdan Alexander Makarewycz, MD
Clinical Associate Professor (Affiliated), OHNS/Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery
Staff, OHNS/Otolaryngology/Head & Neck SurgeryBioI stopped doing major ENT surgery after I retired from private medical practice. I am currently the major ENT consultant at Palo Alto VA ENT Clinic.
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Sabine Mann
Lab Svcs Mgr 2, OHNS/Research Division
Current Role at StanfordLaboratory Manager
Department Property Administrator -
Riccardo Marrocchio
Postdoctoral Scholar, Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery
BioRiccardo Marrocchio received his BSc in Physics from the Sapienza University of Rome and his MSc in Physics from the University of Rome Tor Vergata. During his master, he had the opportunity to study and develop analytical and computational techniques to build mathematical models of complex biological systems, in particular of neuronal networks and the hearing system. He then joined the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research as a Ph.D. researcher at the University of Southampton. During his Ph.D., he worked on the development of a model of active cochlear micromechanics. After his PhD he continued at the University of Southampton joining the DigiTwin project as a Research Fellow, to work on the generalization of the biological feedback system of the cochlea to the design of control systems. To pursue his interests in hearing research, he joined Dr. Ó Maoiléidigh Lab, where he is working on stochastic fluctuations in hair bundles.
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Pedro Martins Gomes de Oliveira, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor, Otolaryngology (Head and Neck Surgery)
BioDr. Gomes de Oliveira is an oral maxillofacial surgeon, head and neck surgeon, and sleep specialist with the Stanford Health Care Sleep Surgery Program. He is also a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Sleep Surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine.
Dr. Gomes de Oliveira specializes in orthognathic (jaw) and sleep surgery. He treats simple to complex cases of obstructive sleep apnea, creating personalized, effective care plans for each of his patients.
Dr. Gomes de Oliveira studies new treatments and best practices in jaw, sleep, and facial surgeries. He has analyzed psychiatric and cardiovascular outcomes in sleep surgery patients and researched sports-related facial fractures. Dr. Gomes de Oliveira has a background as a clinical and scientific researcher for the NOVA Clinical Research Unit in Lisbon, Portugal.
National and international peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery, have published Dr. Gomes de Oliveira’s work. He has been invited to share his findings at national and global meetings, including for the American Academy of Otolaryngology and the European Association for Cranio Maxillo Facial Surgery (EACMFS).
Dr. Gomes de Oliveira is a member of EACMFS and the Spanish Society of Oral and Maxillofacial and Head and Neck Surgery. He is also a board member of the Portuguese Society of Maxillofacial Surgery. -
Ted Mau, MD, PhD
Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS)
BioDr. Ted Mau is a board-certified, fellowship-trained laryngologist with Stanford Health Care Ear, Nose, and Throat. He is also a professor in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery and chief of the Division of Laryngology at Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr. Mau came to Stanford in 2025 following 17 years at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, where he was director of the Voice Center and vice chair of research for the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery.
Dr. Mau’s clinical practice focuses on disorders of the voice, airway, and swallowing. He has particular interest in vocal fold and laryngeal lesions, voice problems, vocal fold paralysis, recurrent laryngeal nerve injuries, and laryngeal dystonia. He is an expert in microlaryngeal surgeries, including laser surgeries of the larynx and airway. He also has extensive experience with laryngeal framework surgery for the treatment of vocal fold paralysis, as well as in-office procedures for vocal fold and larynx lesions.
As a physician-scientist, Dr. Mau engages in clinical and laboratory research in voice science and voice disorders. He has served as principal investigator or co-investigator on several National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded projects, including computational voice simulation, development of ultrafast laser microlaryngeal surgery, sensory contributions to voice disorders, and central neuromodulation as a treatment for recurrent laryngeal nerve injuries. Dr. Mau was a site investigator for a DNA therapeutic vaccine clinical trial for recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. He has served on several NIH study sections.
Dr. Mau served as associate editor of laryngology for The Laryngoscope, a leading journal in the field of otolaryngology. He has published articles in peer-reviewed journals such as the Journal of Voice, The Laryngoscope, and Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery.
Dr. Mau is a fellow of the American Laryngological Association (ALA) and the Triological Society. He is also a member of the American Broncho-Esophagological Association and the secretary of the ALA Council. -
Uchechukwu Megwalu, MD, MPH
Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS)
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsOutcomes Research
Health Disparities
Comparative Effectiveness Research
Health Literacy
Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology
SEER database analysis -
Kara Meister, MD, FAAP, FACS
Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS) and, by courtesy, of Pediatrics
BioKara D. Meister, MD, FAAP, FACS is a pediatric otolaryngologist and head & neck surgeon. She received her medical degree from Medical University of South Carolina and completed her otolaryngology residency at University of Pittsburgh. She completed a NIH-funded fellowship in head and neck research at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Meister then went on to complete a pediatric otolaryngology fellowship at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford.
She is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department Otolaryngology, Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, at Stanford University. Dr. Meister’s research interests include thyroid cancer, head & neck masses, Graves' disease. She has a special interest in the influence of the environment and pollutants (such as microplastics) on health. She currently serves as the Co-Clinical Chief of Pediatric Otolaryngology. Dr. Meister completed additional training in innovation through the Stanford Biodesign Faculty Fellowship.
Her clinical interests include the treatment of patients with head and neck masses including thyroid nodules and cancer. She is Co-Director, Surgical, of the Children's Thyroid Center at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford and is a participating surgeon in the Aerodigestive and Airway Reconstruction Center at Stanford Children’s Health. She is co-editor of the textbook "Pediatric Bronchoscopy for Clinicians" and enjoys advocacy work with the American Academy of Pediatrics Button Battery Taskforce.
Dr. Meister is a member of the American Thyroid Association (ATA) where she serves on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee and is a member of the ATA Guidelines Writing Group for Thyroid Disease & Pregnancy. She is a member of the pediatric committee of the American Head and Neck Society. She is an author and speaker on masses and tumors of the head and neck, thyroid disease, and thyroid cancer in children and adolescents. In collaboration with SHC, she offers novel treatment for thyroid problems in children and adolescents including radiofrequency ablation of thyroid nodules.
Dr. Meister lives in Woodside with her husband, 3 children, and Rooney the dog.
Clinical Expertise:
Children's Thyroid Center, Co-Director, Surgical
Thyroid nodules
Thyroid cancer - papillary, follicular, and medullary
Surgical management of hyperthyroidism and Grave's disease
MEN syndrome
Head and Neck masses
Congenital neck masses such as branchial cleft cyst, thyroglossal duct cyst
Pediatric Head and Neck cancer
Airway evaluation and reconstruction, voice and swallowing problems, and Aerodigestive
Fetal Airway and Exit Team -
Anna H. Messner, MD
Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (Pediatrics) at the Stanford University Medical Center and the Lucile Salter Packard Children's Hospital, Emerita
Current Research and Scholarly Interests-- Obstructive sleep apnea in children
-- Postoperative tonsillectomy care
-- Ankyloglossia
-- Medical Education -
Lloyd B. Minor, MD
The Carl and Elizabeth Naumann Dean of the School of Medicine, Vice President for Medical Affairs, Stanford University, Professor of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery and Professor of Neurobiology and of Bioengineering, by courtesy
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsThrough neurophysiological investigations of eye movements and neuronal pathways, Dr. Minor has identified adaptive mechanisms responsible for compensation to vestibular injury in a model system for studies of motor learning. Following his discovery of superior canal dehiscence, he published a description of the disorder’s clinical manifestations and related its cause to an opening in the bone covering of the superior canal. He subsequently developed a surgical procedure to correct the problem.
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Lindsay Scott Moore, MD
Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery
BioDr. Moore is a board-certified, fellowship-trained physician-researcher in otology, neurotology, and lateral skull base surgery with Stanford Health Care Ear Institute. She is a clinical assistant professor in the Division of Otology-Neurotology, Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine.
Dr. Moore specializes in surgery for disorders of the middle ear, inner ear, ear canal, facial nerve, and skull base for adults and children. She provides expert care for hearing loss and deafness, including cochlear implants for hearing loss. Other areas of expertise include vestibular schwannomas and other tumors of the lateral skull base, cerebrospinal fluid leaks (when membranes around the brain and spinal cord have a hole or tear), and cholesteatoma (noncancerous inner ear cysts). She also specializes in tympanic membrane (eardrum) perforations, glomus (rare and usually benign) skull base tumors (paragangliomas), and ear and temporal bone cancers.
Dr. Moore brings her clinical, surgical, and research expertise together to apply laboratory research to real-life patient care. Her research interests include optical and fluorescence molecular imaging (advanced, noninvasive imaging techniques) and applications in intraoperative surgical navigation to guide safe and effective resection of tumors. She also researches molecular characterization, used to show molecular characteristics of tissues and cells, with applications in targeted drug development. She applies her research to conditions including vestibular schwannoma (a noncancerous tumor on nerves connecting the ears and brain), cholesteatoma, skull base neoplasms (cancerous or noncancerous tumors), and hearing loss.
Additionally, Dr. Moore has a special interest in translational human clinical trials, including trial design and regulatory process navigation. Using her clinical trial experience, she works to apply novel investigations and treatment advances in her field. Her clinical research interests include treating and managing vestibular schwannoma, cholesteatoma, and other neoplasms of the ear and lateral skull base.
Dr. Moore has published her work in many peer-reviewed journals, including Nature Communications, Clinical Cancer Research, Annals of Surgery, Journal of Nuclear Medicine, and JAMA Otolaryngology — Head & Neck Surgery. She has given lectures and served on discussion panels at numerous national conferences and meetings. Her presentations have covered her work using novel molecular imaging techniques for surgery of vestibular schwannoma and head and neck cancers, clinical trials exploring therapies for vestibular schwannoma, and clinical trial development and implementation in neurotology.
Dr. Moore is a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Neurotology Society, International Society for Fluorescence Guided Surgery, and the World Molecular Imaging Society. -
Sam P. Most, MD, MBA, FACS
Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS)
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsThe primary goal of this research program is to develop standard of higher level of evidence in order to provide more precise care for facial plastic surgery patients. See full description, below.
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Varsha Mysore Athreya
Postdoctoral Scholar, Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery
BioVarsha began her academic journey with a BS in Speech and Hearing from the All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH) in Mysuru, India. She earned her Master’s degree in Audiology in 2018, with a thesis focused on temporal processing and speech perception in noisy environments. She completed her doctoral degree in May 2024, working with Dr. Bharadwaj on age-related effects on temporal processing and speech perception, and with Dr. Heinz on the effects of peripheral hearing damage on cortical auditory responses. Currently, she is a postdoctoral scholar at Stanford University with Dr. Matthew Fitzgerald, where she is developing pipelines for handling large clinical datasets and applying machine learning to enhance clinical diagnosis and management.
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Eric Anthony Nash, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor, Otolaryngology (Head and Neck Surgery)
BioDr. Eric Nash is a board-certified otolaryngologist with Stanford Health Care. He is also a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine.
Dr. Nash specializes in treating laryngeal and voice disorders and laryngeal, nasal, and ear disease; managing head and neck tumors; and performing surgery for sinus disorders.
Dr. Nash’s research interests include spasmodic dysphonia (a voice disorder that causes involuntary spasms of the vocal cords) and treatments for voice disorders.
Dr. Nash has published research in top scientific journals, including The Laryngoscope, Neurological Disease and Therapy, Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, and more.
Dr. Nash is a member of the American Medical Association, California Otolaryngology Society, and American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. -
Jayakar V. Nayak, MD, PhD
Associate Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS) and, by courtesy, of Neurosurgery
On Partial Leave from 09/16/2025 To 04/30/2026Current Research and Scholarly InterestsUpper Airway Stem Cell Biology, Fate, and Repair/Regeneration of the Airway Epithelium to treat Upper and Lower Airway Disorders
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Teresa Nicolson, PhD
Edward C. and Amy H. Sewall Professor
On Partial Leave from 04/01/2026 To 06/28/2026Current Research and Scholarly InterestsOur aim is to understand the molecular basis of hearing and balance. We use zebrafish as our model system, which offers distinct advantages for imaging auditory/vestibular and lateral line hair cells in intact animals. Our experiments focus on the function of deafness genes isolated from forward genetic screens and developmental aspects of sensory hair-cell activity and synaptogenesis.
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Julia E. Noel, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor (Affiliated), OHNS/Head & Neck Surgery Divisions
Staff, OHNS/Otolaryngology/Head & Neck SurgeryBioDr. Noel is a head and neck surgeon with fellowship training in endocrine surgery, specializing in surgery of the thyroid and parathyroid gland and lymph nodes. She is the chief of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center and an affiliate assistant professor in the Stanford School of Medicine.
Among the many conditions she treats are thyroid cancer, thyroid nodules, hyperthyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, hypercalcemia, Grave’s disease, and goiter. She has expertise and training in minimally invasive treatment approaches and ultrasound-guided techniques performed in the office, such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and alcohol ablation.
For every patient, Dr. Noel prepares a personalized care plan that is comprehensive and compassionate. Her goal is to educate and empower each patient to achieve the best possible health and quality of life. Patient reviews praise her clinical expertise as well as her skills as a listener and communicator.
Dr. Noel conducts a robust research program to advance patient care. She has published extensively on the diagnosis, appropriate management, and optimization of outcomes for patients with thyroid and parathyroid disorders. Her articles have appeared in JAMA Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Nature Communications, Endocrine Practice, and many more peer-reviewed journals. She has co-authored numerous guideline and consensus statements, including an international statement on the use of RFA in benign and malignant thyroid nodules. She is an editorial board member for VideoEndocrinology, a video journal covering leading-edge diagnostic and treatment techniques and technologies, and has served as an associate editor for Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology.
Dr. Noel has made presentations to her peers at national and international meetings of the American Academy of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, American Thyroid Association, American Head & Neck Society, and the World Congress of Thyroid Cancer. She also has shared her insights into the future of thyroid surgery at the International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference.
She is a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, American Head and Neck Society, American Thyroid Association, American College of Surgeons, and the North American Society for Interventional Thyroidology, of which she has served on the executive council since 2023. -
Brian Anthony Nuyen, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor, Otolaryngology (Head and Neck Surgery)
BioBrian Nuyen, MD, is a board-certified otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon and fellowship trained laryngologist who developed a keen interest and passion for head and neck gender affirmation for transgender/gender-nonconforming communities during his residency at Stanford Medicine. He completed his James Thomas, MD Voice Surgery Fellowship 2021-2022 in Portland, Oregon subspecializing in gender-affirming voice medicine and surgery. He was a visiting Fellow in Summer 2022 with Dr. Hyung-Tae Kim at the Yeson Voice Center in Seoul, South Korea with a focus on international perspectives on gender-affirming endoscopic vocal surgical innovation. Dr. Nuyen is a clinical assistant professor with the Stanford School of Medicine Department of Otolaryngology.
Dr. Nuyen specializes in managing vocal fold disorders, with a particular interest in gender affirmation voice surgery. Dr. Nuyen completed two fellowship programs focused on gender affirmation voice surgery.
He obtained his medical degree from the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Nuyen completed his residency at Stanford School of Medicine’s Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.
Dr. Nuyen is a prolific author and researcher in his field. Multiple peer-reviewed journals have published his work and he has authored several textbook chapters. His recent articles focus on gender affirmation voice surgery. He also peer-reviews research manuscripts for the Journal of Voice. He has presented his insights and research at various medical conferences.
Dr. Nuyen speaks Spanish fluently. In his free time, he is an avid instrumental musician, singer, and swing dancer. -
Dáibhid Ó Maoiléidigh, PhD
Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS)
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsThe Ó Maoiléidigh group employs mathematical and computational approaches to better understand normal hearing and hearing impairment. Because complete restoration of auditory function by artificial devices or regenerative treatments will only be possible when experiments and computational modeling align, we work closely with experimental laboratories. Our goal is to understand contemporary experimental observations, to make experimentally testable predictions, and to motivate new experiments. We are pursuing several projects.
Hair-Bundle Mechanics
Auditory and balance organs rely on hair cells to convert mechanical vibrations into electrical signals for transmission to the brain. In response to the quietest sounds we can hear, the hair cell's mechanical sensor, the hair bundle, moves by less than one-billionth of a meter. To determine how this astounding sensitivity is possible, we construct computational models of hair-bundle mechanics. By comparing models with experimental observations, we are learning how a hair bundle's geometry, material properties, and ability to move spontaneously determine its function.
Cochlear Mechanics
The cochlea contains the auditory organ that houses the sensory hair cells in mammals. Vibrations in the cochlea arising from sound are amplified more than a thousandfold by the ear's active process. New experimental techniques have additionally revealed that the cochlea vibrates in a complex manner in response to sound. We use computational models to interpret these observations and to make hypotheses about how the cochlea works. -
Lisa A. Orloff, MD, FACS, FACE
Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS)
BioLisa A. Orloff, MD, FACS, FACE, is Director of the Endocrine Head & Neck Surgery Program and Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology — Head & Neck Surgery, Division of Head & Neck Surgery, at Stanford University School of Medicine. She is Director of the Stanford Thyroid Tumor Program within the Stanford Cancer Center. Her clinical practice focuses on the surgical management of thyroid and parathyroid tumors and disorders.
Dr. Orloff is an internationally recognized leader in the field of endocrine head and neck surgery. She is also an expert in the application of ultrasonography to the diagnosis and management of diseases of the head and neck, with an emphasis on thyroid cancer. Dr. Orloff performs minimally invasive ultrasound-guided procedures such as radiofrequency ablation for the nonsurgical management of appropriate thyroid pathology. Her background in microvascular and laryngeal surgical techniques lends a unique level of refinement to her endocrine surgical practice. A major component of her clinical work is the management of persistent or recurrent thyroid cancer. Dr. Orloff’s multidisciplinary approach to the management of endocrine head and neck disease involves collaboration with her colleagues in other specialties at Stanford and throughout the country. Dr. Orloff also studies the regeneration of tissue that has been lost as a result of cancer therapies.
Dr. Orloff received her bachelor’s degree at Stanford, and her medical degree from the University of California, Los Angeles. She completed her residency in Otolaryngology — Head & Neck Surgery at the University of Washington and a visiting fellowship in Microvascular & Reconstructive Surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York. Prior to joining the faculty at Stanford, she was the Robert K. Werbe Distinguished Professor in Head & Neck Cancer, and Chief of the Division of Head & Neck Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF.)
Dr. Orloff served three consecutive terms as the Chair of the American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head & Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Endocrine Surgery committee, and served for many years as a voting member of the FDA’s Panel to evaluate medical devices for Otolaryngology. She holds leadership roles within the American Head and Neck Society, the American Thyroid Association, the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, and the American College of Surgeons. She is co-chair of the ACS Thyroid, Parathyroid, and Neck Ultrasound training program and a member of the ACS National Ultrasound Faculty executive board. She is also a member of such influential teams as the National Cancer Institute (NCI) steering committee on Thyroid Cancer Clinical Trials and the Endocrine Surgery Committee of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology (AACE). She authored the leading textbook, Head and Neck Ultrasonography (Plural Publishing), as a reference for clinicians; the second edition was published in 2017. Dr. Orloff is a former Fulbright scholar. -
Zara M. Patel, MD
Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS) and, by courtesy, of Neurosurgery
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsCurrently performing research studies in Smell and Taste Disorders,Artificial Intelligence in Rhinology, Chronic Sinusitis and Endoscopic Sinus Surgery, Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery.
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Jon-Paul Pepper, MD
Associate Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS)
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsFacial paralysis is a debilitating condition that affects thousands of people. Despite excellent surgical technique, we are currently limited by the regenerative capacity of the body. The mission of our research is to identify new treatments that improve current facial paralysis treatments. We do this by exploring the regenerative cues that the body uses to restore tissue after nerve injury, in particular through pathways of neurogenesis and nerve repair in small mammals.
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Nathan Reticker-Flynn, PhD
Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS)
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsTo metastasize throughout our bodies, tumors subvert and co-opt our immune systems. Our lab seeks to uncover how these processes occur and develops therapies to put a stop to them.
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Anthony J. Ricci, PhD
Edward C. and Amy H. Sewall Professor in the School of Medicine and Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS) and, by courtesy of Molecular and Cellular Physiology
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsWe study hearing from biophysical, molecular and signal processing perspectives. One focus is mechanotransduction, where sound is converted into an electrical signal. As a major site for dysfunction, a more detailed understand will provide a means toward intervention. We develop new antibiotics to limit ototoxicity. We investigate drug delivery methods from surgical approaches to slow release systems, including gene therapy tools. We are studying cognitive decline following hearing loss.
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Hamed Sajjadi, MD, FACS
Staff, OHNS/Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery
Clinical Professor (Affiliated), OHNS/Otology & Neurotology DivisionCurrent Role at StanfordClinical Professor, supervising residents and medical students at Palo Alto VA health care system on a weekly basis.
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Douglas Sidell, MD, FAAP, FACS
Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS) and, by courtesy, of Pediatrics
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsDr. Sidell's clinical interests include the management of children with voice and swallowing disorders, and congenital or acquired airway abnormalities. Examples of ongoing or upcoming prospective trials include an investigation into the utility of acid suppression in children with laryngomalacia, the management of vocal cord paralysis following cardiac surgery, and the management of type 1 laryngeal clefts in children.
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Davud Sirjani, MD
Clinical Professor, Otolaryngology (Head and Neck Surgery)
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsInnovation of devices to improve the quality of life of patients with advanced head and neck cancers, minimal invasive parotid surgery, surgical simulation, flap reconstruction of large head and neck defects to restore cosmesis and function (speech, swallowing), stem cell recovery of radiation induced salivary damage, and salivary gland cancer biology
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Alyssa Smith
Clinical Assistant Professor, Otolaryngology (Head and Neck Surgery)
BioDr. Smith received her undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering from the University of Connecticut, and her medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine, where she was a member of the Gold Humanism Honor Society. She completed residency training in Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. This was followed by a Pediatric Otolaryngology fellowship at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago. She is currently a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department Otolaryngology, Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, at Stanford University.
Dr. Smith is board certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and is a member of the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology (ASPO), Society for Ear Nose and Throat Advancements in Children (SENTAC), and the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS). She serves on the Pediatric Otolaryngology Education Committee with the AAO-HNS.
She has a wide range of clinical interests including aerodigestive disorders, airway reconstruction, obstructive sleep apnea, tracheostomy care, congenital neck masses, benign and malignant head and neck tumors, and sinonasal disorders. -
Konstantina M. Stankovic, MD, PhD, FACS
Bertarelli Foundation Professor and Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS) and, by courtesy, of Neurosurgery
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsOur investigative efforts are organized along 3 research thrusts:
1. Vestibular schwannoma: uncovering mechanisms of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and identifying better therapies;
2. High-resolution imaging of the inner ear;
3. Novel sensing of and therapies for SNHL.
Considering the complex and multifaceted nature of these challenges, our approach entails tailored solutions that integrate techniques from molecular biology, systems neuroscience, biotechnology, and otologic surgery. -
Heather Starmer, PhD CCC-SLP, BCS-S
Clinical Professor, Otolaryngology (Head and Neck Surgery)
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsHeather’s areas of research interest include investigation of strategies to enhance patient adherence to rehabilitation plans during head and neck cancer treatment, evaluation of communication and swallowing outcomes after Transoral Robotic Surgery (TORS), and assessment of voice outcomes after thyroid surgeries.
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Kristen K. Steenerson, MD
Clinical Associate Professor, Otolaryngology (Head and Neck Surgery)
Clinical Assistant Professor, Adult NeurologyBio=Dr. Kristen K. Steenerson is a Clinical Associate Professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, specializing in vestibular neurology and neuro-otology. She directs clinical care within the Vestibular Neurology Clinic at the Stanford Ear Institute, where she focuses on the diagnosis and management of complex dizziness and balance disorders, including vestibular migraine, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, Ménière disease, bilateral vestibulopathy, and persistent postural-perceptual dizziness.
Her academic program integrates translational research with clinician education to improve the diagnosis and treatment of vestibular disorders. Her research focuses on the development and validation of objective, technology-enabled tools to measure vestibular function in real-world settings. She leads initiatives evaluating wearable electro-oculography platforms for ambulatory nystagmus detection, as well as sensor-based systems using inertial measurement units to assess mobility, fall risk, and functional engagement. Her work leverages multidisciplinary collaboration across neurology, otolaryngology, audiology, engineering, and data science, with the goal of establishing scalable digital biomarkers and vestibular-specific clinical trial endpoints.
In parallel, Dr. Steenerson is deeply engaged in national and international clinician education. She serves as course director and faculty for multiple continuing medical education programs in vestibular neurology and neuro-otology, with a focus on bedside examination skills, acute dizziness evaluation, and diagnostic reasoning. She has developed interdisciplinary curricula and clinical training pathways designed to expand vestibular expertise among neurologists, otolaryngologists, advanced practice providers, and trainees.
Her scholarly work also includes clinical outcomes research and care delivery innovation, particularly in vestibular migraine and episodic vertigo disorders. She has led initiatives to standardize triage, referral pathways, and multidisciplinary care models for patients with dizziness, translating evidence into practical frameworks that improve access, diagnostic accuracy, and patient outcomes.
Through the integration of clinical innovation, translational research, and clinician education, Dr. Steenerson’s work aims to modernize vestibular care and expand the reach of specialized expertise beyond tertiary referral centers. -
C. Kwang Sung, MD, MS
Associate Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS) and, by courtesy, of Music
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsLaryngology
Otolaryngology
Professional voice -
John B. Sunwoo, MD
Edward C. and Amy H. Sewall Professor in the School of Medicine and Professor, by courtesy, of Dermatology
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsMy laboratory is focused on two primary areas of research: (1) the immune response to head and neck cancer and to a tumorigenic population of cells within these malignancies called cancer stem cells; (2) the developmental programs of a special lymphocyte population involved in innate immunity called natural killer (NK) cells; and (3) intra-tumor and inter-tumor heterogeneity.
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Tristan Tham, MD
Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery
BioDr. Tristan Tham is an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) surgeon and Assistant Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine.
Born and raised in Singapore, Dr. Tham earned his medical degree with honors from the Royal College of Surgeons, where he received the Norman Rae Gold Medal for academic excellence and thesis award. Following medical school, he began his career as a junior doctor at Singapore General Hospital, where he was honored with the ‘Heart of Gold’ Award for achieving the highest patient satisfaction ratings. He then pursued further research training at the New York Head & Neck Institute, where he was eventually promoted to Director of Patient-Oriented Research.
Dr. Tham completed his ENT surgery residency in New York City at the Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital, Lenox Hill Hospital, and Long Island Jewish Medical Center. During his residency, he was selected for membership in the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.
As an ENT surgeon, Dr. Tham treats a wide range of head and neck disorders, including sinus issues and obstructive sleep apnea, cancers of the sinus cavity and salivary glands, thyroid and parathyroid disorders, head and neck tumors, and chronic ear conditions. He prioritizes a personalized approach to care, working closely with patients to develop individualized treatment plans that address their unique needs.
Dr. Tham's contributions to the medical field extend beyond his clinical practice. He has authored over 180 publications, abstracts, and presentations. He currently serves as Associate Editor for Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology.
Beyond his work in the clinic, Dr. Tham is committed to giving back through pro bono efforts in underserved regions around the world. He has participated in multiple medical missions abroad, reflecting his dedication to making a difference beyond his practice.
When he's not at work, Dr. Tham enjoys reading, weightlifting, and exploring the beautiful nature of Northern California with his wife and son. -
Mai Thy Truong, MD
Clinical Professor, Otolaryngology (Head and Neck Surgery)
Clinical Professor (By courtesy), PediatricsBioMai Thy Truong, MD, is a Clinical Associate Professor in the department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, division of Pediatric Otolaryngology at Stanford Children’s Hospital. She serves as the Clinic Chief and the Fellowship Director for the division. Dr. Truong oversees a dedicated Microtia and Atresia Clinic to provide care for all the reconstructive and hearing rehabilitative needs of children with microtia and canal atresia. Dr. Truong’s other clinical interests include Vascular Anomalies, Fetal Management of critical airway (EXIT procedure), as well as Congenital head and neck masses and fistulas. Her research has explored the social impact of microtia, 3D modelling in microtia repair, the treatment of complex vascular anomalies and pediatric sleep apnea.
Dr. Truong received her Bachelor of Science from the University of California, Los Angeles in Neuroscience, graduating with honors. She went on to medical school at the University of California, Irvine. Dr Truong completed her residency training at Stanford University Hospital in Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. She did her Fellowship in Pediatric Otolaryngology at Stanford Children’s Hospital. She completed post-graduate training in Auricular reconstruction, microtia repair, in Paris, France with the world renown plastic surgeon, Dr. Francoise Firmin. Dr Truong is proficient in Spanish and conversational in Vietnamese languages. Her personal interests include musical theater and Karaoke. She strongly believes in the importance of respect for all the diversity of humankind. She is a Bay Area Native and loves the uniqueness that each niche of the Bay Area has. -
Tulio Valdez, MD, MSc
Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS) and, by courtesy, of Pediatrics
BioDr. Tulio A Valdez is a surgeon scientist with a subspecialty interest in Pediatric Otolaryngology. He attended medical school at Universidad Javeriana in Bogota Colombia before undertaking his residency in Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery in Boston. He completed his Pediatric Otolaryngology Fellowship at Texas Children’s Hospital (2007), Houston and obtained his Master’s in Clinical and Translational Research at the University of Connecticut.
Clinically, Dr. Valdez has an interest in pediatric sleep apnea. He has a special interest in the management of sinus disease in cystic fibrosis. Dr. Valdez has co-authored one textbook and numerous book chapters and scientific manuscripts. Dr. Valdez continues his clinical research in these areas, particularly with a focus on aerodigestive disorders.
Scientifically, Dr. Valdez has developed various imaging methods to diagnose otitis media and cholesteatoma a middle ear condition that can lead to hearing loss. He was part of the Laser Biomedical Research Center at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His research includes novel imaging modalities to better diagnose ear infections one of the most common pediatric problems. His research has now expanded to include better intraoperative imaging modalities in pediatric patients to improve surgical outcomes without the need for radiation exposure.
Dr. Valdez believes in multi-disciplinary collaborations to tackle medical problems and has co-invented various medical devices and surgical simulation models. -
Perla Villamor
Clinical Instructor, Otolaryngology (Head and Neck Surgery)
BioPerla Villamor, MD, is a Clinical Instructor in the Clinician Educator line in the Department of Otolaryngology — Head & Neck Surgery and the Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology at Stanford University School of Medicine. She completed her medical and otolaryngology training in Colombia, followed by a pediatric otolaryngology fellowship in Mexico.
She has extensive experience in research, teaching, and clinical practice, having worked in leading institutions across Latin America and the Middle East.
Her passion for pediatric airway surgery has driven her to collaborate on global surgery initiatives and contribute to international scientific publications. She is deeply committed to working with children and their families to improve their quality of life and ensure they experience happy, healthy childhoods. She is currently pursuing a two-year International Fellowship in Complex Pediatric Otolaryngology at Stanford Children’s Hospital. -
Nneoma S. Wamkpah, MD MSCI
Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery
BioDr. Nneoma Stephanie Wamkpah is a board-certified, fellowship-trained facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Stanford Health Care Ear, Nose, and Throat. She is also an assistant professor in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, Division of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine.
Dr. Wamkpah cares for patients with facial paralysis, nasal problems, and facial injuries. She performs both functional and cosmetic surgery, including rhinoplasty, facial trauma repair, and procedures to restore movement after nerve damage. Her approach focuses on improving how patients look and function while tailoring care to their individual needs and goals.
As a physician-researcher, Dr. Wamkpah explores how facial plastic and reconstructive surgery affects patients’ quality of life and functional outcomes. She studies patient-reported measures to improve surgical quality, shared decision-making between patients and surgeons, and ways to ensure equitable access to reconstructive care. She is also interested in innovations in facial reanimation, evidence-based approaches to facial trauma management, and the impact of medical education on surgical planning and execution.
Dr. Wamkpah has authored several book chapters as well as articles in peer-reviewed journals such as JAMA Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine, and Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. She has presented her work at national conferences, including the annual meetings of the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS), the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), and the Rhinoplasty Society.
Dr. Wamkpah is a member of AAO-HNS, AAFPRS, and the Sir Charles Bell Society. She also volunteers her skills internationally, providing surgery for children and adults in resource-limited countries.
