OTOVATION, August 2026 by Eye & Ear Foundation of Pittsburgh

AUGUST 2026 FROM THE CHAIR Dear Friends and Colleagues, August was a strong month for our Department, and this issue of Otovation captures work that spans discovery, clinical care, and the communities we serve. On the science side, our teams continue to push toward restoring natural hearing. Early results in deaf models are encouraging for genetic hearing loss and point toward broader applications ahead. Read Dr. Zevallos' message

José P. Zevallos, MD, MPH, FACS The Eugene N. Myers, M.D. Professor and Chair Department of Otolaryngology University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Deputy Director, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT From ear to ear From ear to ear: Pitt researchers are pursuing a precision gene therapy that aims to restore natural hearing by repairing malfunctioning cells in the inner ear. Early studies have shown striking improvements in deaf mouse models, offering hope for people with genetic hearing

loss and laying the groundwork for future treatments targeting more common forms of hearing loss. Read more about this research

TOP PUBLICATION

CLINICAL INNOVATION George Liu, Bridging Neurotology and AI The newest Assistant Professor of OtolaryngologyHead & Neck Surgery, George S. Liu, MD, was drawn to Pittsburgh mostly for two things: the Department and the city itself. Dr. Liu praised the Department’s depth in both clinical care and hearing science. “Between the Pittsburgh Hearing Research Center and the mentors I’ll have here, it’s a rare combination,” he said.

Read more about George Liu

OUTREACH Grant Aims to Close Hearing Health Gap for Individuals with IDD The Pittsburgh Hearing Institute has received a $1,500,000 grant from the Edith L. Trees Charitable Trust to advance hearing health care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The grant will disseminate $500,000 per year for three years. Read more about the grant

RECOGNITION AND GRANTS Garret W. Choby, MD Received the Medical Student Research Mentoring Merit Award, Pitt SOM, 2026 Christopher L. Cunningham, PhD Received the Senior Vice Chancellor Research Seminar Award, 2026 Adele Moatti, PhD Awarded a $311,642 grant from Fennec Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for Local Pedmark (STS) Delivery Catherine V. Palmer, PhD Issued U.S. Patent No. 12,672,797 B2 for LiDIA (Low-Cost, Integrated Device for Audiology) Carl H. Snyderman, MD, MBA Received the University of Pittsburgh Idea Navigation to Commercialization Program (Pitt.INC) Award - Endotracheal Tube Stabilizer Received the University of Pittsburgh Un-Challenge (PUnCH) Award EndoSpectraScope Ryan J. Soose, MD Promoted to Professor of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery Amanda L. Stapleton, MD Received the Medical Student Research Mentoring Merit Award, Pitt SOM, 2026

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT Residency Program Changes: Jessica Maxwell As of July 1, Jessica Maxwell, MD, MPH, FACS is the Residency Program Director for the Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, replacing Noel Jabbour, MD, MS, FACS. While the role is still in a transition phase, Dr. Maxwell has many goals for the program. Read more about Jessica Maxwell

Three CIBD Graduates Join Pittsburgh CREATES Team This year marks a meaningful inflection point for Pittsburgh CREATES: three individuals trained in the Johns Hopkins Center for Bioengineering Innovation and Design (CBID) tradition are now part of our team. That’s not coincidental. Read more about CREATES

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Residents

e are excited to welcome a new class of talented physicians as they begin the next stage W of their training with the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.

New Resident Profile: Alexa Pearce First year Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery resident Alexa N. Pearce grew up visiting her grandmother and the rest of her mother’s family in Western Pennsylvania, so it holds a special place in her heart. She was also drawn to the Department because of “the incredible research opportunities and robustness of the surgical exposure across subspecialties at UPMC.” She also appreciates that residents are given an impressive amount of autonomy, but always with appropriate guardrails. Read more about Alexa Pearce

Fellows These future leaders in research, and education bring a passion for improving vision and patient outcomes, and we look forward to supporting their growth as clinicians, surgeons, and scholars.

Pitt is once again among the top 2% of universities worldwide

PHILANTHROPY - A Vital Partner The Eye & Ear Foundation of Pittsburgh, an independent 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in 1985 to foster philanthropic support for the Departments of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh. The goal is to keep moving forward, expanding EEF’s support network, and helping the Departments achieve unparalleled distinction in research, education, outreach, and patient care.