Co-Directors
Jan Geliebter, PhD
Stimson Schantz, MD
The Department of Otolaryngology is distinguished by a strong commitment to medical research,
which contributes to advances in Otolaryngology and related areas of medicine. By being active participants in
the research process, we help to ensure the currency of our knowledge base, and are in a better position to
offer our patients the very latest clinical insight.
In addition to physicians, research is facilitated
by scientists, physiologists, a molecular biologist, bioengineer/mathematician, and statistician who direct
independent research in their respective areas and who regularly collaborate with an international team of
researchers in various disciplines.
Members of the Department actively share the results of their research with the professional community, both
through presentations at national and international conferences and via peer-reviewed print media. Select a
research program below or visit the research
faculty pages for further details about publications.
Find Clinical Trials in Otolaryngology
Laryngology & Voice
Research in voice production,
singing and laryngeal disorders is a significant focus of the Department of Otolaryngology. We are distinguished
as an internationally-respected research team, combining the expertise of physicians, doctoral-level scientists
and clinicians trained in diverse areas of medicine, voice therapy, speech science, bioengineering, neurology,
singing, and biostatistics that provides a research center unparalleled in the New York City metropolitan
region. Voice production is acknowledged as being one of the most complex biological systems of the human body,
and we are committed to research projects of this unique system that advance the clinical care of our patients
with voice disorders. Our research in laryngology and voice is focused upon two broad and overlapping areas,
neurolaryngology and clinical outcomes and efficacy.
Neurolaryngology
TOP
Fluorescence & Optical Imaging
Neuro-Otology & Audiology
- Facial Nerve Function
- Power Reflectance
- Cochlear Implants
- Bone Anchored Hearing Aids
- Chronic Ear Disease
Facial
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Research in Facial Plastic & Reconstructive
Surgery has in the past been limited to clinical reports of cosmetic procedures or laboratory research into
wound physiology. The research program of the Division of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery attempts to
bridge this gap between the lab and the patient in order to provide state-of-the-art clinical aesthetic and
reconstructive care to patients which is based on a firm understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the head
and neck. Areas of specific interest include enhancing wound healing in both cosmetic and reconstructive
settings, development and proper use of synthetic facial implants, repair of skin and soft tissues of the face
with biologic materials and further elucidation of the nature of facial beauty.
Neurolaryngology
The Nature of Facial Beauty
Enhancement of Wound Healing
Pediatric Otolaryngology
The division of pediatric otolaryngology has a
strong commitment to clinical research of a practical nature. Past and current projects have targeted possible
alternatives to the conventional management of the most common upper respiratory diseases afflicting children.
By taking advantage of our enormous clinical volume, we are in a position to study many everyday common
problems. In addition to our clinical research staff, we are collaborating with a pediatrician who has
considerable clinical and research experience. With the incidence of resistant bacterial infections of the upper
respiratory tract on the rise, we anticipate that our research efforts will have notable impact.
- Cod Liver Supplementation in Children with Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
- Obstructive Adenotonsillar Hypertrophy
Head & Neck Electrophysiology
Electrophysiology is an area of special interest for the Department of Otolaryngology at the New York Eye & Ear Infirmary. Our team of clinicians and engineers are employing a new generation of electromyographic imaging technology to examine laryngeal and facial muscles. Our goals are to better understand the complex physiology that underlies these important muscles under normal and diseased conditions and to investigate the existence of prognostic indicators for various neurogenic disorders. Using a specially-designed imaging probe along with sophisticated computer software, a great deal of neural control information can be gathered with no additional discomfort to the patient than conventional electromyography. This information is expected to advance our current understanding of the underlying neuromuscular mechanisms of the muscle systems in the head and neck and may lead to better diagnosis and treatment for neurogenic head and neck disorders.
Head & Neck Oncology
The Division of Head and
Neck Surgery has initiated multiple research projects involving principally patients with squamous cell
carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract. A particular focus has been the understanding of the interaction
between the environment and host susceptibility factors on the genetic profile of individual cancers. Advances
have been made molecular oncology within the laboratory; specifically, the development of
DOP PCR and comparative genomic hybridization. This
technique is a powerful tool that may provide molecular clues as to the probability of disease progression and
response to treatment. We have expanded these studies to now include patients treated at other institutions
including Westchester Medical Center and Beth Israel Medical Center.
Another area of focus has been in the development of novel screening methods. One method under investigation has been the science of native cellular fluorescence. Instrumentation has been developed which assesses the degree to which various tissues absorb and emit light. The end result would an in-vivo screening tool that could define individuals at risk for cancer development.
Determinants of Disease Progression
Native Cellular Fluorescence and the Diagnosis of Cancer
International Centers Against Oral Cancer
- Use of Curcumin as a Chemopreventive Agent
- The Increasing Problem of Head and Neck Cancer in the Young Adult
- Treatment Delivery for Elderly Patients with Head and Neck Cancer
Molecular Biology Gene Therapy
Publications & Presentations
Members of the Department actively share the results of their research with the professional community, both through presentations at national and international conferences and via peer-reviewed print media. Select a research program above for further details about publications and presentations.
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