School of Medicine


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  • Iram Ahmad, MD, MME

    Iram Ahmad, MD, MME

    Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS) and, by courtesy, of Pediatrics

    BioDr. Iram Ahmad received her MD from the University of Michigan Medical School. She then completed Otolaryngology residency program at the University of Iowa. At Iowa, she was an NIH- sponsored T32 research resident in the Department of Otolaryngology. During her residency training she also gained expertise in education and graduated with a Master in Medical Education from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. After residency, Dr. Ahmad continued at Iowa for her fellowship in Pediatric Otolaryngology.

    Dr. Ahmad is an Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery in the Pediatric Division. Her clinical expertise is in Pediatric Otology and hearing loss. She is focused on children with hearing loss, cochlear implantation, cholesteatoma, and general pediatric Otolaryngology. Her research interests are in children with congenital hearing loss and microstructure changes of the brain.

  • Jennifer Alyono, MD MS

    Jennifer Alyono, MD MS

    Clinical Assistant Professor, Otolaryngology (Head and Neck Surgery)

    BioDr. Alyono completed her undergraduate degree in Chemistry as well as her master’s degree in Bioengineering at Stanford University. After completing medical school at the University of California, San Diego, she returned to Stanford where she completed both her residency in Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, as well as her fellowship in Otology/Neurotology and Skull base surgery. Clinically, Dr. Alyono specializes in adult and pediatric surgery for disorders of the middle ear, inner ear, ear canal, facial nerve, and skull base. This includes care for hearing loss, tympanic membrane perforations, cholesteatoma, glomus tumors, and vestibular schwannomas, among others. Her research interests lie in hearing in population health, quality of care, and technology in medicine.

  • Fred M Baik, MD

    Fred M Baik, MD

    Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS)

    BioDr. Baik is Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery at Stanford University. He provides comprehensive surgical care for patients with head and neck cancer, both as an ablative and reconstructive surgeon. His clinical interests include oral cavity cancer, complex skin cancer, microvascular reconstruction and the diagnosis and management of nodal metastasis. With his background in fluorescence imaging, Dr. Baik’s research focuses on surgical navigation using targeted agents to improve tumor margin assessment and the detection of nodal metastasis, and he currently leads several clinical trials to translate novel imaging techniques.

    Dr. Baik graduated with honors in Biology at the University of Pennsylvania and received his medical degree at UC San Diego. After completing his Otolaryngology residency at the University of Washington, he pursued advanced training in Head and Neck Oncology & Reconstructive Surgery at Mount Sinai Beth Israel Hospital in New York City. He is a board-certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology, and a member of the American Head and Neck Society, American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

  • Karthik Balakrishnan, MD, MPH, FAAP, FACS

    Karthik Balakrishnan, MD, MPH, FAAP, FACS

    Associate Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS) and, by courtesy, of Pediatrics

    Current Research and Scholarly InterestsDr. Balakrishnan's research focuses on innovative ways to improve and standardize treatments and measure outcomes in complex pediatric airway and aerodigestive conditions , as well as ways to reduce treatment costs and medical errors. By improving outcomes and reducing costs, he aims to improve the value of care, while also optimizing patient and caregiver experience during the care process.

  • Nesrine Benkafadar

    Nesrine Benkafadar

    Instructor, Otolaryngology (Head and Neck Surgery)

    BioDr. Nesrine Benkafadar obtained her Pharm.D from the University of Constantine in Algeria. She then joined the Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier in France, where she completed a master’s degree in Industrial Pharmacy and obtained her Ph.D in Biology and Health. She mainly worked on establishing a functional interaction between oxidative stress, DNA damage and cochlear cell aging. From there, she conducted postdoctoral research in Dr. Stefan Heller’s lab at Stanford University. Her current research is focused on studying the early regenerative triggers in damaged avian cochlea with the overarching goal to characterize the series of events that trigger and execute cochlear hair cell regeneration. Her ultimate goal is to investigate key trigger genes to induce adult mammalian supporting cells in damaged cochlea to reenter the cell cycle toward hair cell regeneration.

  • Nikolas Blevins, MD

    Nikolas Blevins, MD

    Larry and Sharon Malcolmson Professor in the School of Medicine, Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS) and, by courtesy, of Neurosurgery

    Current Research and Scholarly InterestsInner ear microendoscopy -- Developing techniques for minimally-invasive imaging of inner ear microanatomy and neural pysiology. Applications include improved cochlear implant development, inner ear regenerative techniques, inner ear surgery, and auditory physiology.

    Microsurgical robotics -- Developing scalable microsurgical instrumentation and robotic techniques for use in head and neck surgery.

    Surgical Simulation -- Immersive environment for temporal bone surgical simulation.

  • Robson Capasso, MD

    Robson Capasso, MD

    Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS) and, by courtesy, of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (Sleep Medicine)

    Current Research and Scholarly InterestsClinically relevant outcomes for OSA Surgery.
    Wearables and Digital Health Technologies for Sleep.
    Innovative approaches for OSA Management.
    Innovation in Sleep and Otolaryngology

  • Kay W. Chang, MD

    Kay W. Chang, MD

    Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS) and, by courtesy, of Pediatrics

    Current Research and Scholarly Interestshttp://med.stanford.edu/ohns/research/labs_chang.html

  • Michael Chang, MD

    Michael Chang, MD

    Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck surgery (OHNS)

    BioDr. Chang is a board-certified, Stanford fellowship-trained otolaryngologist providing care at Stanford Health Care’s Sinus Center. He is also an assistant professor in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine.

    He specializes in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of nasal, sinus, and skull base disorders. Dr. Chang is also interested in the use of online digital media for ear, nose, and throat (ENT)-related educational content. He is the rhinology host for Headmirror’s ENT in a Nutshell podcast and served as education consulting for the rhinology section of DosedDaily.

    Dr. Chang’s research interests include new endoscopic imaging technologies, machine learning applications in healthcare, and outcomes for various medical and surgical treatments for sinus and skull base disorders.

    Dr. Chang has published in several high-impact journals, such as Clinical Cancer Research, JAMA Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, and International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology. He serves as a journal peer reviewer for Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology; The Laryngoscope; World Journal of Otorhinolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery; and Ear, Nose & Throat Journal.

    He is a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, the North American Skull Base Society, and the American Rhinologic Society. He serves on the American Rhinologic Society’s Patient Advocacy Committee.

  • Steven D. Chang, MD

    Steven D. Chang, MD

    Robert C. and Jeannette Powell Neurosciences Professor and, by courtesy, of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS) and of Neurology

    Current Research and Scholarly InterestsClinical research includes studies in the treatment of cerebrovascular disorders, such as aneurysms and AVMs, as well as the use of radiosurgery to treat tumors and vascular malformations of the brain and spine.

    Dr. Chang is C0-Director of the Cyberknife Radiosurgery Program.

    Dr. Chang is also the head of the The Stanford Neuromolecular Innovation Program with the goal of developing new technologies to improve the diagnosis and treatment of patients affected by neurological conditions.

  • Michelle M. Chen, MD, MHS

    Michelle M. Chen, MD, MHS

    Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS)

    BioDr. Chen is a fellowship-trained head and neck surgical oncologist with a board certification in otolaryngology and a clinical assistant professor with the Stanford School of Medicine Department of Otolaryngology.

    Her practice focuses on the treatment of cancers that affect the head and neck. She has received additional training in microvascular reconstruction and transoral robotic surgery.

    Dr. Chen has an active lab involved in head and neck cancer health services research and her work has appeared in numerous journals, including The Journal of the American Medical Association, Cancer, Journal of the National Cancer Institute, and Journal of Clinical Oncology. She has also authored chapters in textbooks on head and neck cancer treatment.

    Dr. Chen is a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery (AAOHNS) and the American Head & Neck Society.

  • Alan G. Cheng, MD

    Alan G. Cheng, MD

    Edward C. and Amy H. Sewall Professor in the School of Medicine, Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS) and, by courtesy, of Pediatrics

    Current Research and Scholarly InterestsActive Wnt signaling maintains somatic stem cells in many organ systems. Using Wnt target genes as markers, we have characterized distinct cell populations with stem cell behavior in the inner ear, an organ thought to be terminally differentiated. Ongoing work focuses on delineating the developing significance of these putative stem/progenitor cells and their behavior after damage.

  • Sung-Won Choi, MD, PhD

    Sung-Won Choi, MD, PhD

    Visiting Associate Professor, Otolaryngology (Head and Neck Surgery)

    Bio1. EDUCATION

    2019 Ph.D, in Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea
    2010 M.S., in Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea
    2007 M.D, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea

    2. CLINICAL & RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

    2022.7 - present : Visiting Associate Professor
    Dept. of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Cheng Research Lab, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA

    2016 - present : Clinical Fellow, Assistant Professor, and Associate Professor
    Dept. of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Republic of Korea

  • Edward J. Damrose, MD, FACS

    Edward J. Damrose, MD, FACS

    Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS) and, by courtesy, of Anesthesiology, Perioperative & Pain Medicine

    Current Research and Scholarly InterestsAdvanced MRI imaging for laryngeal cancer and swallowing disorders; applications of robotics in microlaryngeal surgery; high speed digital imaging of vocal fold vibration; the effects of hormones and anabolic steroids on vocal function.

  • Seth J. Davis, MD

    Seth J. Davis, MD

    Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS)

    Current Research and Scholarly InterestsDr. Davis’ research interests include novel treatments for post-facial paralysis management, clinical outcomes in revision rhinoplasty and complex nasal reconstruction, and development of global health educational initiatives. He has presented grant funded, award winning research at dozens of conferences both locally and internationally. He has also published in a wide variety of high-impact journals, including Annals of Oncology, The Laryngoscope, and Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine.

  • Elizabeth DiRenzo, PhD

    Elizabeth DiRenzo, PhD

    Associate Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS) and, by courtesy, of Music

    Current Research and Scholarly InterestsDr. Erickson DiRenzo's laboratory integrates research techniques from the basic and clinical sciences to improve the prevention and management of voice disorders.

  • Vasu Divi, MD

    Vasu Divi, MD

    Associate Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS)

    BioDr. Vasu Divi is a distinguished expert in the field of head and neck cancer treatment, renowned for his dual roles as a cancer surgeon and reconstructive surgeon. With a specialized focus on high-risk and advanced skin cancers, oral cavity cancers, and osteoradionecrosis of the head and neck, Dr. Divi stands at the forefront of medical innovation. As a national authority in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, Dr. Divi spearheads Stanford's clinical trial program dedicated to this condition. His trial portfolio encompasses both neoadjuvant and adjuvant applications of immunotherapy, reflecting his commitment to advancing treatment methodologies. Actively engaged in research, Dr. Divi endeavors to define the optimal treatment approach for this disease, integrating immunotherapy to enhance patient outcomes.

  • Robert Dodd, MD, PhD

    Robert Dodd, MD, PhD

    Associate Professor of Neurosurgery, of Radiology and, by courtesy, of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS)

    Current Research and Scholarly InterestsDr. Dodd is involved in clinical trials using endovascular coils that have a fiber coating that help heal aneurysms of the neck and can prevent an aneurysm from reforming. He uses minimally invasive endoscopic techniques to treat brain tumors.

    Dodd's research interests are in cerebral blood vessel reactivity and stroke.

  • Juan Carlos Fernandez-Miranda

    Juan Carlos Fernandez-Miranda

    Professor of Neurosurgery and, by courtesy, of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS)

    BioDr. Juan Fernandez-Miranda is Professor of Neurosurgery and Surgical Director of the Stanford Brain Tumor, Skull Base, and Pituitary Centers. He is internationally renowned for his expertise in minimally invasive brain surgery, endoscopic skull base and pituitary surgery, open skull base surgery, and complex brain tumor surgery. He has performed nearly 3,000 cranial operations including over 1,500 endoscopic endonasal operations for pituitary tumors and other skull base lesions. He is highly regarded for his innovative contributions to the development and refinement of endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery, for his ability to select the most effective and less invasive approach to each individual patient, and for his precise knowledge of the intricate anatomy of the white matter tracts required to maximize resection and minimize morbidity on high and low grade glioma patients. He has been recently ranked by Expertscape as World-Expert (top 0.05%) on Skull Base Surgery and #1 Neurosurgeon Expert on Skull Base Tumors (pituitary adenomas, meningiomas, craniopharyngiomas, chordomas, chondrosarcomas, schwannomas and esthesioneuroblastomas) on the US Pacific Region. He is co-founder and vice-president of the International Rhoton Society and executive member of the Board of Directors of the The Neurosurgical Atlas, the largest nonprofit organization for neurosurgical education and research in the world.

    Dr. Fernandez-Miranda completed neurosurgery residency at La Paz University Hospital in Madrid, Spain. Upon completion of his residency, he was awarded the Sanitas Prize to the best medical postgraduate trainee in the country. From 2005 to 2007, he underwent fellowship training in microsurgical neuroanatomy at the University of Florida under legendary neurosurgeon Albert L. Rhoton, Jr. From 2007 to 2010 he continued subspecialty clinical training in cerebrovascular surgery at the University of Virginia, and endoscopic endonasal and open skull base surgery at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). During his 10-year tenure at UPMC, he pioneered endoscopic endonasal approaches to highly complex pituitary and skull base tumors, developed a world-class complex brain surgery program, and led a premier training and research program on surgical neuroanatomy and skull base surgery.

    In 2018, he was recruited to bring to Stanford his unique technical expertise and to collaborate with world-renowned Stanford colleagues across multiple disciplines, leading the establishment of one of the most preeminent centers worldwide for comprehensive treatment of complex lesions in the brain, skull base, and pituitary regions. His top priority is to provide gentle, accurate, and safe surgery, in a team-based and compassionate approach to patient care.

  • Andrey Finegersh, MD, PhD

    Andrey Finegersh, MD, PhD

    Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS)

    BioDr. Finegersh is a fellowship-trained head and neck surgical oncologist with board certification in otolaryngology and a clinical assistant professor with the Stanford School of Medicine Department of Otolaryngology.

    He specializes in treatment of benign and malignant tumors of the head and neck and has received additional training in microvascular reconstruction and transoral robotic surgery. He takes tremendous pride in providing compassionate care for patients and managing challenging diagnoses.

    Dr. Finegersh completed his MD and PhD degrees at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine's combined Medical Scientist Training Program. He went on to complete residency in otolaryngology at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) and his fellowship at Stanford University, where he stayed on as faculty.

    He has extensive research experience in head and neck cancer epigenetics and completed post-doctoral research at the University of Pittsburgh and UCSD. He has received grants from the NIH and American Academy of Otolaryngology and has an active research lab studying molecular mechanisms of cancer. Dr. Finegersh has additional clinical interests in studying the role of minimally invasive surgery to improve outcomes for head and neck cancer patients.

  • Matthew Fitzgerald, PhD

    Matthew Fitzgerald, PhD

    Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS)

    Current Research and Scholarly InterestsMy research encompasses several translational projects. One focus is to modify the routine audiologic test battery such that it places equal weight on hearing acuity and hearing function. This work includes measures of speech in noise, or electrophysiologic responses such as the FFR. I also explore tools to better assess and maximize performance in users of hearing aids and cochlear implants. Finally, I am also investigating the benefits of telemedicine, and new treatments for tinnitus.

  • Nicolas Grillet, PhD

    Nicolas Grillet, PhD

    Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS)

    Current Research and Scholarly InterestsWe are interested in identifying the genes leading to Hearing and Vestibular impairments, and understanding their function at the molecular level.
    We have a special focus on how the Hair Cells are able to detect mechanical stimulation.

  • Stefan Heller

    Stefan Heller

    Edward C. and Amy H. Sewall Professor in the School of Medicine and Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS)

    Current Research and Scholarly InterestsOur research focuses on the inner ear, from its earliest manifestation as one of the cranial placodes until it has developed into a mature and functioning organ. We are interested in how the sensory epithelia of the inner ear that harbor the sensory hair cells develop, how the cells mature, and how these epithelia respond to toxic insults. The overarching goal of this research is to find ways to regenerate lost sensory hair cells in mammals.

  • Chris Holsinger, MD, FACS

    Chris Holsinger, MD, FACS

    Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS)

    Current Research and Scholarly InterestsDr. Holsinger’s surgical practice focuses on the surgical management of benign and malignant diseases of the thyroid, parathyroid and head and neck.

    His areas of clinical interest include endoscopic head and neck surgery, including robotic thyroidectomy, transoral robotic surgery and transoral laser microsurgery, as well as time-honoured approaches of conservation laryngeal surgery, supracricoid partial laryngectomy.

  • Peter H. Hwang, MD

    Peter H. Hwang, MD

    Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS) and, by courtesy, of Neurosurgery

    Current Research and Scholarly Interests- Clinical outcomes in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery
    - Development of innovative medical devices for treatment of sinus disorders
    - Founder of CORSICA, a national research registry for sinus cancer

  • Robert K. Jackler, MD

    Robert K. Jackler, MD

    Edward C. and Amy H. Sewall Professor, Emeritus

    Current Research and Scholarly InterestsSince the early 2000s, study of tobacco industry marketing has become my primary field of research. Motivated by the lack of a comprehensive and well-organized compendium of tobacco advertisements, and the relative paucity of scholarly research analyzing the marketing practices of the industry, I chose to focus my research on advertising. The overarching purpose of my research has been to reveal the behavior of the tobacco industry in recruiting and retaining its consumers with the goal of infor

  • Michael J. Kaplan, MD

    Michael J. Kaplan, MD

    Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery at the Stanford University Medical Center, Emeritus

    Current Research and Scholarly Interests1) New therapeutic approaches for head and neck cancer, including immune stimulation possibilities (IRX-2 protocol), integration of biological modifiers, and, eventually, genetic approaches.
    2) Head and neck cancer stem cells: identification, characterization, control--in conjunction with the Irv Weissman and Michael Clarke labs in the Stem Cell Institute
    3) Development of innovative surgical methods at the anterior cranial base

  • Peter J. Koltai MD, FACS

    Peter J. Koltai MD, FACS

    Professor of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery at the Stanford University Medical Center, Emeritus

    Current Research and Scholarly Interests1 - Establishing HPV subtypes among children in Zimbabwe with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.

    2 - comparison of techniques for expansion pharyngoplasty for sleep apnea

  • Lukas D. Landegger

    Lukas D. Landegger

    Instructor, Otolaryngology (Head and Neck Surgery)

    BioDr. Landegger is a clinician-scientist (otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon) and Instructor at Stanford University School of Medicine. After gaining clinical as well as research experience in various countries (US, UK, France, Spain, Germany, Singapore, Australia), he specialized in otology with translational hearing research in Vienna, Austria and for five years in Boston (Mass Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School), leading to a PhD in Neuroscience. Apart from clinical projects, current basic research foci are funded by a grant obtained from the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy and include inner ear gene therapy, vestibular schwannoma, noise-induced hearing loss, and others.

  • Quynh-Thu Le, MD

    Quynh-Thu Le, MD

    Katharine Dexter McCormick and Stanley McCormick Memorial Professor and Professor, by courtesy, of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS)

    Current Research and Scholarly InterestsMy laboratory research interest focuses on the identification of biomarkers for prognosis in patients with head & neck or lung cancers. I am also conducting a number of clinical trials specifically in patients with head & neck cancers.

  • Jennifer Y Lee, MD

    Jennifer Y Lee, MD

    Clinical Associate Professor, Otolaryngology (Head and Neck Surgery)

    Current Research and Scholarly InterestsDevelopment of treatment outcomes of Eustachian tube balloon dilation

  • Gordon Li, MD

    Gordon Li, MD

    Professor of Neurosurgery and, by courtesy, of Neurology and of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS)

    Current Research and Scholarly Interests1.) My laboratory studies the biology of brain tumors with the goal of developing novel therapeutics for the treatment of malignant brain tumors and translating that research into clinical trials.
    2.) My clinical interests include improving surgical techniques for brain tumor surgery, immunotherapy for the treatment of glioblastoma, and novel uses for stereotactic radiosurgery.

  • Michael Lim, M.D.

    Michael Lim, M.D.

    Professor of Neurosurgery and, by courtesy, of Radiation Oncology (Radiation Therapy), of Medicine (Oncology), of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS) and of Neurology

    BioDr. Lim is the Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery and a board-certified neurosurgeon specializing in brain tumors and trigeminal neuralgia.

    Dr. Lim’s clinical interests include the treatment of benign and malignant brain tumors, with special interest in gliomas, meningiomas, metastatic tumors, and skull base tumors. Dr. Lim also specializes in surgical treatments for trigeminal neuralgia. During his time at Johns Hopkins, Dr. Lim built one of the largest brain tumor and trigeminal neuralgia practices and utilized the most advanced surgical technologies and techniques for his patients. As a passionate voice for patient experience, he has been recognized by his peers and patients for his integrity and compassionate care, including a Service Excellence Award from HealthNetwork Foundation.

    As a mentor, he has garnered numerous teaching awards, including being honored as an outstanding teacher by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He is actively involved in shaping education for neurosurgery and oncology across the United States and around the world. He is the recipient of the prestigious 2023 Abhijit Guha Award in Neuro-Oncology.

    Dr. Lim’s research interests focus on harnessing the immune system to fight cancer. His laboratory focuses on understanding mechanisms of immune evasion by cancer cells. He has successfully translated his findings from the laboratory to the clinics and has conducted and led several large national immunotherapy clinical trials for brain tumors.

    Dr. Lim’s bibliography contains well over 300 articles on topics such as immunotherapy for glioblastoma, long-term survival of glioma patients treated with stereotactic radiation, and treatment of neuropathic pain. His work has appeared in Science Translational Medicine, Clinical Cancer Research, Lancet Oncology, Nature Immunology, and many more publications. He also has written 20 book chapters and monographs.

    Dr. Lim is a world leader in immunotherapy for brain tumors. In addition to being invited world-wide to give lectures and seminars, he has given platform presentations on the topics of immunotherapy for brain tumors, neurosurgical techniques and management of brain tumors at the American Society of Clinical Oncologists, American Academy of Neurological Surgeons, Radiological Society of North America, Annual Symposium on Brain and Spine Metastases, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, and other meetings. In addition, he has served as platform chairman of the CNS session at the American Society for Clinical Oncology conference.

    Dr. Lim is a member of the American Society for Clinical Oncology, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, American Association of Neurological Surgeons, and Society for Neuro-Oncology. Dr. Lim served as the program co-chair of the Society for Neuro-Oncology and CNS section of the American Society for Clinical Oncology. He also served on many executive committees, including the Executive Committee for the Joint Tumor Section of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and Congress of Neurological Surgeons.

  • Uchechukwu Megwalu, MD, MPH

    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

    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 Associate 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

    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

    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.

  • Sam P. Most, MD, FACS

    Sam P. Most, MD, 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.

  • Jayakar V. Nayak, MD, PhD

    Jayakar V. Nayak, MD, PhD

    Associate Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS) and, by courtesy, of Neurosurgery

    Current Research and Scholarly InterestsUpper Airway Stem Cell Biology, Fate, and Repair/Regeneration of the Airway Epithelium to treat Upper and Lower Airway Disorders

  • Teresa Nicolson, PhD

    Teresa Nicolson, PhD

    Edward C. and Amy H. Sewall Professor

    Current 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.

  • Brian Anthony Nuyen, MD

    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

    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

    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 Patel, MD

    Zara Patel, MD

    Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS)

    BioDr. Zara M. Patel is Director of Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery and a Professor of Otolaryngology and, by courtesy, of Neurosurgery at Stanford. She was born and raised in St. Louis, completed her MD at the Oregon Health and Sciences University in Portland, Oregon and completed her residency training in otolaryngology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, NY. After pursuing fellowship training in rhinology and endoscopic skull base surgery at Stanford University, she was recruited to join the Emory University faculty in Atlanta in 2011. After four years, the rhinology division recruited her back to the West coast to rejoin the department here at Stanford University in 2015.

    Dr. Patel is an expert in advanced endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery. She treats patients with a wide variety of rhinologic complaints, including chronic sinus infection or inflammation, sinus disease that has failed medical therapy, sinus disease that has failed prior surgical therapy, cerebrospinal fluid leaks, benign and and malignant sinus and skull base tumors, as well as olfactory disorders.

    She has served as Chair of the Education Committee and Member of the Board of Directors for the American Rhinologic Society, is current Chair of the Rhinology and Allergy Education Committee for the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, and has developed a multitude of educational materials for both physicians and patients to help them better understand rhinologic disorders. She is passionate about educating patients to allow them to make the best decisions about their own care, leading to better outcomes.

    Dr. Patel has published widely in topics such as avoiding complications in endoscopic sinus surgery, chronic rhinosinusitis in the immunosuppressed patient population, new devices and techniques for endoscopic skull base surgery, and olfactory dysfunction. She continues to perform research in these areas, and is currently collaborating with neuroscientists and engineers to develop technology that she hopes will eventually help cure patients with smell loss, and potentially even help those with neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

  • Daniel Penaranda

    Daniel Penaranda

    Clinical Instructor, Otolaryngology (Head and Neck Surgery)

    BioOtolaryngologist from Bogotá, Colombia, with a Master´s degree in Immunology, pursuing a fellowship in Pediatric Otolaryngology.

  • Jon-Paul Pepper, MD

    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.

  • Harlan Pinto

    Harlan Pinto

    Associate Professor of Medicine (Oncology) and of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery

    Current Research and Scholarly InterestsClinical Interests: general oncology, head and neck cancer Research Interests: chemoprevention trials and combined modality approaches to head and neck cancer

  • Nathan Reticker-Flynn, PhD

    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.

  • Anthony J. Ricci, PhD

    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 InterestsThe auditory sensory cell, the hair cell, detects mechanical stimulation at the atomic level and conveys information regarding frequency and intensity to the brain with high fidelity. Our interests are in identifying specializations associated with mechanotransduction and synaptic transmission leading to the amazing sensitivities of the auditory system. We are also interested in the developmental process, particularly in how development gives insight into repair and regenerative mechanisms.

  • Peter L. Santa Maria, MBBS, PhD

    Peter L. Santa Maria, MBBS, PhD

    Associate Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS) and, by courtesy, of Bioengineering
    On Partial Leave from 08/01/2023 To 07/14/2024

    Current Research and Scholarly InterestsWe study chronic suppurative otitis media, a chronic biofilm infection of the middle ear predominantly involving pseudomonas and staph aureus. We are investigating mechanisms of sensory hearing loss, host microbe interactions and trialling novel therapeutics.

    Our work in tympanic membrane regeneration has entered clinical trials.

    Novel treatments for wound healing in intra oral wounds with potential applications to prevent post tonsillectomy wound healing and oral mucositis.

  • Douglas Sidell, MD

    Douglas Sidell, MD

    Associate 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.

  • Davud Sirjani, MD

    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

  • Konstantina M. Stankovic, MD, PhD, FACS

    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.
    Given the complex, multifaceted nature of these problems, our approach to them involves domain-specific customization and fusion of tools from molecular biology, systems neuroscience, biotechnology and otologic surgery.

  • Heather Starmer, MA CCC-SLP, BCS-S

    Heather Starmer, MA 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.

  • Kristen K. Steenerson, MD

    Kristen K. Steenerson, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor, Otolaryngology (Head and Neck Surgery)
    Clinical Assistant Professor, Neurology & Neurological Sciences

    BioKristen Steenerson is a board-certified neurologist with fellowship training in otoneurology. After graduating cum laude from Claremont McKenna College where she was honored as an All-American lacrosse defensive player, she continued on to medical school at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah. After four years of excellent training and annual ski passes, she proceeded to the Mayo Clinic in Arizona for neurology residency. There, she discovered the beauty of the Sonoran Desert as well as an unmet need in balance disorders and vertigo, motivating her to pursue a fellowship in otoneurology at Barrow Neurological Institute. She joins Stanford with positions in both Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery and Neurology with the goal of jointly addressing the junction of inner ear and brain disorders. Her specific interests include vestibular migraine, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, Ménière's disease and international neurology.

  • John B. Sunwoo, MD

    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.

  • Mai Thy Truong, MD

    Mai Thy Truong, MD

    Clinical Associate Professor, Otolaryngology (Head and Neck Surgery)

    BioMai 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

    Tulio Valdez, MD, MSc

    Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS) and, by courtesy, of Pediatrics

    BioDr. Tulio A Valdez is a surgeon scientist born and raised in Colombia 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.