Overview

Investigators in the Department of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery study diseases and conditions of the head and neck, including the ear, nose and throat. Department members have a wide range of expertise and interests across the field but are united by a commitment to improving patient care through research.

Collaborative research to meet clinical needs

Otolaryngology is unique in that specialists care for children and adults, people with acute and chronic conditions, and patients in clinical and surgical settings. Otolaryngologists depend on a multidisciplinary group of experts to deliver complete and comprehensive patient care.

Mirroring these clinical needs, otolaryngology researchers identify long-term solutions to diverse clinical problems, including multiple types of cancer, hearing loss, sinus problems, sleep apnea, voice disorders, and many other diseases and conditions.

Researchers delve into the data provided by Mayo Clinic's high volume of clinical and surgical patients to answer questions that inform best practices in patient care. Some run prospective randomized clinical trials that offer patients access to cutting-edge medical and surgical advances. Others use immunology-based approaches, perform whole-exome or whole-genome sequencing, and advance 3D-printing and anatomical modeling technology.

Perhaps most importantly, researchers in the Department of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery are typically members of multidisciplinary research teams. These collaborations improve the quality and value of investigations by diversifying perspectives, tying in a broad range of skill sets and ultimately increasing the impact research can have on clinical practice.

A diverse, dedicated research team

Clinician-investigators and basic scientists alike have built a solid research foundation within Mayo Clinic's Department of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery. Departmental interests span the breadth of otolaryngology, which is reflected in a diverse research team that includes:

  • M.D. and Ph.D. clinician-investigators
  • Doctoral-level basic science researchers
  • Research trainees
  • Advanced practice clinicians
  • Speech-language pathologists
  • Nurses
  • Research coordinators
  • Statisticians
  • Lab technicians

The department's faculty and staff are motivated, productive, and dedicated to finding solutions to problems that will improve the lives of current and future patients. With researchers actively involved in nearly every facet of otolaryngology, Mayo Clinic is committed to advancing field-leading science to deliver world-class patient care.

Review the faculty roster.

Funding

Research in the Department of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery is supported intramurally and through the generosity of donors and benefactors.

Researchers have also won highly competitive funding, including National Institutes of Health R01 grants and Department of Defense grants. Investigators patent discoveries and work closely with industry partners.