Vestibular Disorders Research

Mentor Areas

My research focuses on disorders of hearing and balance. The research is clinical in nature and involves reviewing patient records and/or interviewing patients. You would work with an interdisciplinary team and learn about a very focused area of medicine. I have a strong interest in mentorship and have mentored students at all levels of medical training, from undergraduate students exploring an interest in medicine to postgraduate fellows applying for their first job. 

Description:

The University of Pennsylvania Department of Otolaryngology performs thousands of balance function tests each year for patients presenting with balance-related complaints. These are maintained in a vestibular database and we have several clinical projects every year that utilize this data to glean high-level insights into vestibular disorders. 

Your role would include helping to maintain the database, and participating in retrospective or prospective clinical research opportunities. You would also have an opportunity to shadow physicians in the department of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, and potentially observe in the operating room or clinic, schedule-permitting. We also have strong collaborations with the department of genetics for potential involvement in whole genome sequencing projects, with the support of the genetics lab and department of clinical bioinformatics. The goal would be for co-authorship in national presentations and publications in leading medical journals. 

Overall, our research focuses on disorders of hearing and balance. The research is clinical in nature and involves reviewing patient records and/or interviewing patients. You would work with an interdisciplinary team and learn about a very focused area of medicine.

Preferred Qualifications

I am open-minded and interested in working with students of all backgrounds and ability levels. I feel it is my job to teach you and help you grow as a researcher and scholar. A curious mind and detail-oriented work ethic is required. A basic background in statistics and scientific literature search skills are very helpful but not required.  Additionally, I value organization, reliability, and proactive/closed-loop communication. Statistical skills using R, Stata, excel, or other similar software are greatly valued. 

My research students are expected to meet with me on a weekly or every-other-week basis depending on the stage of the project.