Research Highlights

Cochlear Implant Center of Excellence

Dr. Sarah Hodge and the Division of Otology and Neurotology were chosen as a site for a Cochlear Implant Center of Excellence pilot study by Cochlear of Americas. Only 3 sites across the US were chosen and this honor comes with a sizeable grant. The primary goal of the study is to evaluate the division’s CI program from a systems standpoint and identify areas where access to initial CI evaluation, CI surgery, and post-op activation may be inefficient and contribute to delays in care.

The first part of the study is retrospective looking at the last 5 years of CI surgery at MCG-AU to identify areas of system breakdown. The next part is a prospective study evaluating how the implemented changes ultimately streamline hearing restoration. This esteemed grant and collaboration elevate MCG-AU to national prominence, and we're thrilled about the potential impact on both our program and our patients.

Head and Neck NIDCR Grant

Dr. J. Kenneth Byrd is a co-investigator on a recent RO1 grant award of over $3.99 million from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). This collaborative research project seeks to deepen our understanding of the CD73-A2BR pathway in the head and neck cancer (HNSC) microenvironment that regulates the immune landscape in murine models and patient specimens. The overarching goal is to develop CD73-A2BR immune checkpoint blockade regimens for more effective HNSC treatment.