Otolaryngology Medical Student Research Fellowship

9

Active Clinical Trials

19

Faculty With Academic Appointments

34

Peer-Reviewed Publications in 2024

Overview

Educational Objectives

Starting in 2022, the Division of Rhinology within the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at Houston Methodist Hospital created a 12-month clinical research fellowship for motivated third or fourth-year medical students or international medical graduates interested in pursuing a career in otolaryngology. The primary goal is to train fellows to develop their research skills and acumen within the field. The fellowship has expanded from one to two full-time, salaried clinical research fellows who conduct research with departmental faculty across each subspecialty. The fellows participate in active clinical trials, novel device feasibility testing trials, retrospective and prospective research utilizing growing institutional and national databases, and more.

 

While each departmental faculty serve as mentors for both research and clinical education, the program’s Director of Resident Research, Dr. Omar Ahmed, serves as the primary fellow mentor with weekly research meetings. Each division coordinates regular research update meetings. The fellows are also supported by two dedicated clinical research coordinators, collaborations with statisticians and data scientists at the Houston Methodist Research Institute and the University of Houston, and medical students from several medical schools located in the world’s largest medical center.

 

Beyond research responsibilities, fellows are encouraged to engage with faculty both in the clinic and operating room as well as participate in annual resident dissection courses. Fellows will also have the opportunity to participate in a clinical sub-internship rotation at the completion of their fellowship year.

 

Educational Objectives

This fellowship offers fellows the opportunity to develop relevant skills and mentorship to lead successful careers in academic otolaryngology. By working with departmental mentors and both the program director and assistant program director, fellows will be prepared for the competitive otolaryngology residency application process. Fellows will complete the year with multiple first-author publications in high impact journals and present at national or international conferences.

Clinical Research Fellows will learn the following skills:

  • IRB training and document writing
  • Grant and manuscript writing
  • Clinical trial coordination
  • Electronic data capture from institutional and national databases
  • Otolaryngology – head and neck surgery clinical, surgical, and pathological knowledge by working intimately with each departmental faculty member with expertise in the following specialties: rhinology and anterior skull base surgery, head and neck surgical oncology and microvascular reconstruction, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, laryngology, otology and lateral skull base surgery, allergy and immunology, and sleep medicine.

 

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a personal statement explain their specific interest in the program including previous research experience, CV, transcript, and contact information for 2 references to the Clinical Research Coordinator, Tariq Syed, and Fellowship Director, Dr. Omar Ahmed. After screening, candidates will interview with Dr. Ahmed, Tariq Syed, and the assistant program director and medical student clerkship director, Dr. Yin Yiu. The current research fellows will meet separately to answer additional questions.

 

2023 – 2024:

  • Mr. Najm Khan,  Medical School - Rutgers School of Medicine
  • Dr. Aatin Dhanda, Residency - Houston Methodist Hospital Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

 

2022 – 2023:

  • Dr. Daniel Gorelik, Residency - Houston Methodist Hospital Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
Our Program Faculty
Heli Majeethia
Heli Majeethia

Medical School:

Lewis Katz School of MedicineOral

Presentations: 4

Posters:10

Zain Mehdi
Zain Mehdi

Medical School:

University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine

Oral Presentations: 4

Posters: 9

Recent Publications
  1. Khan FI, Vazquez SG, Mehdi Z, Somawardana I, Dongre R, Razmi S, Rashidi K, Shenoi J, Khan N, Dhanda A, Takashima M, Ahmed OG. Otolaryngologic Side Effects of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists. Laryngoscope. 2025 Feb 12. doi: 10.1002/lary.32061
  2. Dongre R, Khan NS, Khan F, Rashidi K, Majeethia H, Somawardana I, Vrabec JT, Takashima M, Ahmed OG. Private Equity in Otolaryngology: What Is the Impact on Medicare Payments? Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2025 Jan 31. doi: 10.1002/ohn.1154.
  3. Khan NS, Dhanda AK, Takashima M, Liu R, Yoshiyasu Y, Wu W, Jin W, McCoul ED, Ramanathan M Jr, Ahmed OG. What is the robustness of randomized controlled trials supporting rhinosinusitis guidelines? Am J Otolaryngol. 2025 Jan-Feb;46(1):104575. doi: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2024.104575
  4. Khan NS, Allen DZ, Yiu Y, Ahmed OG, Takashima M, Jiang ZY. Pediatric Adenotonsillectomy Opioid Prescriptions Before and After Practice Guidelines and American Academy of Pediatrics Challenge. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2025 Mar;172(3):1072-1076. doi: 10.1002/ohn.1048. Epub 2024 Nov 4.
  5. Khan NS, Majeethia H, Provasek V, Khan F, Mehdi Z, Dhanda AK, Vrabec JT, McCoul ED, Makary CA, Takashima M, Ahmed OG. Viral infection as an inciting event for development of chronic rhinosinusitis: A population-based study. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2024 Oct 30. doi: 10.1002/alr.23482.
  6. Khan NS, Gajula M, Goehring L, Takashima M, Dhanda A, Syed TA, McCoul ED, Vrabec JT, Ramanathan M Jr, Hu R, Ahmed OG. Chronic Rhinosinusitis and Mental Health. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2024 Nov 1;150(11):943-951. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2024.2705.Lovin BD, Gorelik D, Lin KF, Vrabec JT. Vestibular Hypofunction Screening in Older Cochlear Implant Candidates. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2024 Apr 30;. doi: 10.1002/ohn.800.
  7. Zhou Q, Ma J, Biswal S, Rowan NR, London NR, Riley CA, Lee SE, Pinto JM, Ahmed OG, Su M, Liang Z, Du R, Ramanathan M Jr, Zhang Z. Air pollution, genetic factors, and chronic rhinosinusitis: A prospective study in the UK Biobank. Sci Total Environ. 2024 Aug 25;940:173526. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173526.
  8. Khan, F, Rashidi, K, Dongre, R, Razmi, SE, Shenoi, J, Ahmed, OG, & Takashima, M. Open-Source Accelerometer-Based Device and Data Analysis for Precision Monitoring of Sleep Apnea Events. Proceedings of the 2024 Design of Medical Devices Conference. 2024 Design of Medical Devices Conference. Minneapolis, MN, USA. April 8–10, 2024. V001T04A009. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/DMD2024-1082
  9. Khan FI, Somawardana I, Dongre R, et al. Clearing New Frontiers: Sinonasal Health and the Future of Spaceflight. Ear, Nose & Throat Journal. 2024;0(0). doi:10.1177/01455613241274865
  10. Wu AW, Hur K, Jafari A, Ahmed OG, Chen PG, Takashima M, Chang EE, Balzer B, Matthew A, Xu H, Divatia M, Tam B, Robledo J, Amin L, Cvancara DJ, Kinua A, Syed TA, Paderin DL, Tang DM. Histopathologic evaluation of Asian-American patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2024 Jul 24;. doi: 10.1002/alr.23417.
  11. Babahaji LM, Ganeshan V, Nguyen TS, Ahmed O, Barton BM, Chandra R, Chen PG, Gudis DA, Halawi A, Higgins TS, Joe SA, Kuan EC, Marino MJ, Patel ZM, Ramakrishnan VR, Rangarajan SV, Riley CA, Roxbury CR, Tabaee A, Tang DM, Wu AW, Yim MT, Bidwell J, McCoul ED. Features of Importance in Nasal Endoscopy: Deriving a Meaningful Framework. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2024 Jul 5;. doi: 10.1002/ohn.889.
  12. Gorelik D, Dhanda AK, Khan NS, Takashima M, Nisar T, Brissett E, Ramanathan M, Pinto J, Rowan N, Ahmed OG. Disparities in seeking care for olfactory and gustatory dysfunction: A population analysis. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2024; 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1002/alr.23390.
  13. Wu AW, Tang DM, Hur K, Jafari A, Chen PG, Takashima M, Chang EE, Balzer B, Mathew A, Divatia M, Xu H, Robledo J, Amin L, Tam B, Cvancara DJ, Kinua AG, Syed TA, Paderin DL, Vasquez M, Ahmed OG. Endotype evaluation of Hispanic/Latinx-American patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2024 May;14(5):981-985. doi: 10.1002/alr.23298.
  14. Gorelik D, Razmi SE, Sims RK, Dhanda AK, Takashima M, Brissett ES, Rowan NR, Yim MT, Khan N, Fox MG, Ahmed OG. Patient Questions Surrounding Posterior Nasal Nerve Ablation for Chronic Rhinitis. OTO Open. 2024; 8(2): e156. https://doi.org/10.1002/oto2.156.
  15. Gorelik D, Dhanda AK, Choi A, Takashima M, Khan NS, Rowan NR, Jafari A, Syed T, Ahmed OG. Modified technique improves efficacy for in-office posterior nasal nerve ablation. Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol. 2024; 9(2): e1238. https://doi.org/10.1002/lio2.1238.
  16. Gorelik D, Ahmad JG, Razmi SE, Takashima M, Yiu Y, Thekdi A, Ramanathan M Jr, Dhanda AK, Yim MT, Ahmed OG. Postnasal drip and chronic cough in patients with chronic rhinitis treated with temperature-controlled radiofrequency neurolysis. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2024 Mar;14(3):621-629. doi: 10.1002/alr.23238.
  17. Dhanda AK, Gorelik D, Khan N, Takashima M, Bishara P, McCoul ED, Jafari A, Ahmed OG. Posterior Nasal Nerve Ablation as a Viable Treatment Option for the Primary Symptom of Postnasal Drip. Am J Rhinol Allergy. 2024;. https://doi.org/10.1177/19458924241247107.
  18. Janz TA, Khan NS, Dhanda AK, Takashima M, Wu AW, Tang DM, Higgins TS, Ramanathan M Jr, Ahmed OG. Multi-Institutional Analysis of Insurance Denial Patterns Within Rhinology. Am J Rhinol Allergy. 2024;. https://doi.org/10.1177/19458924241242856.
  19. Swonke M, Barr J, Brissett E, Ordonez A, Syed T, Thekdi A. Perceptions and Understanding of Transgender Patient Care: A Survey of Practicing Laryngologists. Laryngoscope. 2024; 134(7): 3215–3219. https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.31346.
  20. Swonke ML, Brissett AE, Khan NS, Kain JJ, Bressler FJ, Malik AI, Syed TA, Sturm AK. Perceptions and Understanding of Transgender Patient Care: A Survey of Practicing Facial Plastic Surgeons. Facial Plast Surg. 2024;. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2295-6582.
  21. Asi K, Gorelik D, Syed T, Thekdi A, Yiu Y. Outcomes for COVID-19 Patients Undergoing Tracheostomy With or Without Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO). Cureus. 2024; 16(3): e55750. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.55750.
  22. Khan NS, Yoshiyasu Y, Wang BS, Khoudari A, Clerico DM, King JM, Steele TO, Dhanda AK, Takashima M, Ahmed OG. Severe epistaxis after posterior nasal nerve ablation requiring surgical intervention: A multi-center case series. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2024;. https://doi.org/10.1002/alr.23339.
  23. Fan RS, Yiu Y, Kulesz PA, Dueppen A, Procter T, Goodwin ME, Thekdi AA, Joshi A. Clinical Voice Outcomes for Two Voice Rest Protocols after Phonomicrosurgery. Laryngoscope. 2024;. https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.31250.
  24. Razmi SE, Goehring L, Dhanda AK, Shenoi J, Khan F, Rashidi K, Gorelik D, Sims KR, Fox MG, Takashima M, Ahmed OG. What Questions Do Patients Ask About Biologic Therapies for Chronic Sinusitis With Nasal Polyps? Ear Nose Throat J. 2024 Jun 24;. https://doi.org/10.1177/01455613241264428.
  25. Razmi S, Dhanda A, Shenoi J, Khan F, Takashima M, Ahmed OG. Predictors of Facial Pain and Headache Associated With Cryotherapy Ablation of the Posterior Nasal Nerve for the Treatment of Chronic Rhinitis. Cureus. 2024; 16:. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.61749.
  26. Dhanda AK, McKee S, Allen DZ, Ahmed OG, Yaeger K, Kim L, Kain JJ. Multidisciplinary Management of Total Anterior Skull Base Osteoradionecrosis. J Neurol Surg Rep. 2024;. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2236-6162.
  27. Gorelik D, Allen D, Hunter N, Kain JJ. Single port robotic surgery for pleomorphic adenomas of the parapharyngeal space. Oral Oncol Rep. 2024; 10:.
  28. Barr J, Mackie A, Gorelik D, Buckingham H, Clark D, Brissett AE. Health Disparities Research in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: A Scoping Review. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2024;. https://doi.org/10.1002/ohn.825.
  29. Munyemana MA, Ahmed OG, Takashima M, Dhanda AK, Tang D, Wu A, Wu MJ, Kallogjeri D, Piccirillo JF, Roland LT. Optimization of diagnostic and procedural codes to identify patients with acute invasive fungal sinusitis. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2024 Mar;14(3):728-731. doi: 10.1002/alr.23253.
  30. Wu FM, Gorelik D, Brenner MJ, Takashima M, Goyal A, Kita AE, Rose AS, Hong RS, Abuzeid WM, Maria PS, Al-Sayed AA, Dunham ME, Kadkade P, Schaffer SR, Johnson AW, Eshraghi AA, Samargandy S, Morrison RJ, Weissbrod PA, Mitchell MB, Rabbani CC, Futran N, Ahmed OG. New Medical Device and Therapeutic Approvals in Otolaryngology: State of the Art Review of 2022. OTO Open. 2024 Jan 22;8(1):e105. doi: 10.1002/oto2.105


 

 


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