2022 Department Grant Summaries

Dr. Carey Balaban received a grant from Charles River Analytics to perform an evaluation of a technology for objective documentation of mild traumatic brain injury. A clinical trial at the University of Miami assesses 1) sensitivity and specificity of the ADVISOR device in detecting mTBI; 2) reliability of ADVISOR across evaluations; 3) efficacy in detecting mTBI across longer timescales. Dr. Balaban provides expertise in the test selection, study design, data analysis, and report generation.

Dr. Uma Duvvuri received a grant from Medtronic for the further research and development of Medtronic’s proprietary AI-based decision support tools to be used in the development of a laparoscopic visualization system. This multi-phase, multiyear project aims to develop an advanced visualization product that provides real-time monitoring of surgeon performance during the procedure, insight on the optimal use of tools, and guidance to the surgeon in identifying critical anatomic structures and steps during the procedure.

Dr. Chris Cunningham received a grant from the Pennsylvania Lions Hearing Research Foundation, Inc. for his project investigating the role of Wolfram Syndrome associated genes in the cochlea. Wolfram Syndrome is a genetic syndrome that causes hearing loss by an unknown mechanism. For this project, he will investigate the expression and function of Wolfram syndrome-linked genes in the cochlea in order to uncover the pathophysiology of hearing loss in Wolfram Syndrome.

Dr. Thanos Tzounopoulos received a grant from the NIH for his project, Synaptic, Cellular and Circuit Mechanisms of Cortical Plasticity after Cochlear Damage. This project will test several novel hypotheses regarding the mechanisms of auditory cortex plasticity after cochlear damage and peripheral hearing loss. Dr. Tzounopoulos received other grants from the NIH, DOD and Eye & Ear Foundation to help fund his research in creating a pharmacological treatment for tinnitus.

Dr. Michele Insanally received two grants from the NIH for her project entitled The significance of nominally non-responsive neural dynamics in auditory perception and behavior. This project aims to investigate the neural basis of auditory perceptual learning using in vivo electrophysiology, behavior, and optogenetics. The results from the proposed experiments will provide critical insights into improved diagnosis and treatment of hearing deficits caused by disease or injury and will inform targeted therapies for central auditory processing disorders.

Mr. Norman Gottron received a grant from Medtronic for Pittsburgh CREATES for a project Pittsburgh CREATES has engaged with Medtronic over the past year to evaluate and provide feedback on the Mazor robotic guidance system for spinal surgery. CREATES facilitated the evaluation of the platform by hosting a series of cadaver labs in its shared space on the 1st floor of the Eye & Ear Institute.