Research & Professional Development

Residents in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery are required to engage in mentored research training throughout the residency period. To support this requirement, residents spend six months doing research during the PGY-4 year. One resident each year pursues an extended 18-month research rotation beginning during the PGY-3 year, through our NIH-supported Advanced Research Training in Otolaryngology Program.

Our residents have been remarkably successful in competing for extramural grants, and research productivity has been impressive. Just in the past few years, resident-initiated projects have created the first 3-D printed airway splint (which made international news and has emerged into a dynamic NIH funded program), designed a prospective randomized controlled trial for perioperative infection prevention, made cutting-edge discoveries in head and neck cancer genomics with immediate translational potential and implemented a lean system for operating room efficiency.

Otolaryngology Resident Research Committee

The department’s Research Committee, co-chaired by Dr. Andrew Shuman and Dr. David Kohrman, continues the department's long history of promoting research excellence among trainees. Residents meet monthly to review progress, assist with grant-writing and manuscript preparation, review research methodology and liaise with departmental faculty. The committee also provides financial support for trainee research projects through the Otolaryngology Resident Research Committee Research Grant. This grant, which awards $10,000 total annually, aims to supplement extramural funding mechanisms in order to foster meaningful and substantive clinical and/or basic science research. Recipients are announced at the Charles J. Krause, M.D., Lectureship in June. See the grant RFA for more information.

Department Resident Research Awards

Resident studies are presented at the annual Charles J. Krause, M.D., Lectureship, with research awards given for outstanding projects.

  • Paparella Otologic Research Award
  • Rontal Family Resident Education Award
  • John L. Kemink, M.D., Clinical Research Award
  • Merle Lawrence Basic Science Research Award

Publications, Oral Presentations and Poster Presentations

Our residents are expected to present and publish their work throughout their residencies. The department offers financial support for trainees whose research is accepted for presentation at industry meetings and conferences.