Departments
Research in Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
Research
In This Section
Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
The Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery research program has a dynamic team of physician-scientist researchers using a multidisciplinary approach to translational and clinical research. Its goal is to discover new insights into head and neck cancer and forge new treatment options, while providing a platform for rapid translation from bench to bedside.
The advances that department resources have made toward the treatment and cure of head and neck cancers are remarkable, reducing the prevalence of metastatic and residual disease among patients.
Topics of research interest include:
3D printing and imaging in otology/neurotology
Implantable hearing aids
Medrobotics Flex robotics
Meniere's disease
Robotic surgery (TORS)
Skull base surgery
Thyroid cancers
Research in Otolaryngology
The Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery takes pride in the robust research program that it has built at Penn State Health. The department’s faculty, residents and students are actively engaged in research activities, with diverse interests that span across various areas of study:
Patient-reported outcomes and quality of life
Analysis of big datasets (SEER, NCDB, Marketscan, TriNetX, NIS, KIDS)
Innovation with new surgical technologies
Basic science with animal modeling
Translational science research
Mixed methods research
Clinical Trials
Whether through clinical trials, translational research, surgical innovation or training the next generation of leaders in our field, Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery strives to move the state of the science forward.
Research Leadership
Professor and Vice Chair for Quality and Safety, Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
Clinical Studies
The Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, in conjunction with the Penn State Cancer Institute, participates in many clinical trials.
Current Studies
Medical Student Research Year
Interested medical students can apply for a one-year program within Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. This position provides students the opportunity to work on cutting-edge head and neck research and further their education in otolaryngology through the interactions of the diverse sub-specialties.
During this year, the student will work closely with faculty and residents to lead research projects within the Department as well as work on clinical trials, review charts, and help to maintain a multi-surgeon cancer database.
Hanel Eberly and Bao Sciscent, research medical students, present a research poster at Penn State Cancer Institute Cancer Research Day in State College
Jackie Tucker, 2021-2022 Research Medical Student, presents a poster at the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Annual Meeting.
Dr. Jessyka Lighthall, Division Chief Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and Shivam Patel, 2020-2021 Research Medical Student, present a poster at the Symposium of Facial Plastic Surgery.
More About Research in Otolaryngology
Year after year, the program has excelled with representation at institutional, regional and national meetings and with publications in major otolaryngology journals.
Year after year, the program has excelled with representation at institutional, regional and national meetings and with publications in major otolaryngology journals.
Faculty and trainees attend and actively participate in meetings such as:
Pennsylvania Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Annual Scientific Meeting
American Head and Neck Society International Conference
American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Annual Meeting
American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Annual Meeting
Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings
A medical student presents poster at PAO HNS 2023 Meeting in Lancaster.
Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery members at the 2022 Annual Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Meeting in Miami, Florida.
The Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery has established collaborations within the Penn State Institute for Personalized Medicine (IPM) in pursuit of several exciting and highly innovative endeavors.
Dr. James Broach serves as Director of the Institute of Personalized Medicine and works closely with the department’s residency and fellowship programs.
Contact us
For details on Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery research, contact Caia Hypatia at 717-531-0003 x287-291 or chypatia@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.