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Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery | Research

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Research

The Ohlson Research Initiative is a clinical research program focused on head and neck cancer.  The initiative functions within the University of Calgary, Cumming School of Medicine as well as the The Arnie Charbonneau Cancer.

Learn more about the Ohlson Research Initiative here.  Learn more about Cumming School of Medicine research here.


Current Resident Research

  1. Research Interest

    Otology and neurotology, with a focus on vestibular migraine, Eustachian tube dysfunction, and surgical education. Current research includes national surveys on practice patterns in vestibular migraine, analysis of computerized dynamic posturography outcomes in vestibular disorders, and a multicenter randomized controlled trial evaluating Eustachian tube balloon dilation. Dr. Aleinati is also involved in developing competency-based educational interventions and simulation curricula for temporal bone dissection. Earlier work explored the role of DNA methylation as a clinical biomarker in cardiovascular disease and rejection.

  2. Publications

    • Aleinati M, Hammal J, Ramazani F, Hwang E. Characterizing Practice Patterns in the Diagnosis and Management of Vestibular Migraine: A North American Survey of Otolaryngologists and Neurologists. Manuscript in preparation.
    • Aleinati M, Ali M, Oszust M, Hwang E, Subramaniam S, Lui J. Computerized Dynamic Posturography Outcomes in Vestibular Migraine: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Manuscript in preparation.
    • Aleinati M, Compton E, Lui J. A Photorealistic 3D Virtual Model of the Middle Ear as an Adjunct in Tympanoplasty Patient Consent. Single-center clinical trial in progress.
    • Aleinati M, Spiegel JL, Le TN, Lui J. Efficacy of Balloon Dilation of the Eustachian Tube in Eustachian Tube Dilatory Dysfunction: A Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial. Multicenter clinical trial in progress.
    • Aleinati M, Spiegel JL, Le TN, Lui J. In-Office Balloon Dilation for Baro-Challenge-Induced Eustachian Tube Dysfunction: Study Protocol for a Randomized Sham-Controlled Trial. Submitted.
    • Aleinati M, Hammal J, Ramazani F, Saliba J, Hwang E, Lui J. Defining and Mapping Otologic Surgical Competencies in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Residency: A Canadian Nationwide Survey. Submitted.
    • Pattar S, Aleinati M, Iqbal F, et al. Identification of Cell-Free DNA Methylation Patterns Unique to the Human Left Ventricle as a Potential Indicator of Acute Cellular Rejection. Clin Transplant. 2021;35(6):e14295. doi:10.1111/ctr.14295
    • Maredia A, Guzzardi D, Aleinati M, et al. Aorta-Specific DNA Methylation Patterns in Cell-Free DNA from Patients with Bicuspid Aortic Valve-Associated Aortopathy. Clin Epigenetics. 2021;13(1):147. doi:10.1186/s13148-021-01137-y
  1. Research Interest

    QI and education.

  2. Publications

    • Randall DR, Chan R, Gomes D, Walker K. Natural History of Cricopharyngeus Muscle Dysfunction Symptomatology. Dysphagia. 2022 Aug;37(4):937-945. doi: 10.1007/s00455-021-10355-8. Epub 2021 Sep 8. PMID: 34495387.
    • Chan RK, Ahrens B, MacEachern P, Bosch JD, Randall DR. Prevalence and incidence of idiopathic subglottic stenosis in southern and central Alberta: a retrospective cohort study. J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2021 Nov 12;50(1):64. doi: 10.1186/s40463-021-00544-8. PMID: 34772459; PMCID: PMC8588657.
    • Chan RK, Sterniczuk R, Enkhbold Y, Jeffers RT, Basu P, Duong B, Chow SL, Smith VM, Antle MC. Phase shifts to light are altered by antagonists to neuropeptide receptors. Neuroscience. 2016 Jul 7;327:115-24. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.04.010. Epub 2016 Apr 16. PMID: 27090819.
  1. Research Interest

    Otology, facial plastics, and education.

  1. Research Interest

    Medical misinformation, otology & neurotology, and pediatric otolaryngology.

  2. Publications

    • Booth LE, Banyi N, Rose P, et al. Awake Versus Asleep Intubation for Mediastinal Goiters: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery. 2025;54:19160216251333352. doi:10.1177/19160216251333352
    • Booth L, Aldaihani A, Davidson J, Wilson C, Lawlor C, Hong P, Graham ME. Misinformation and Readability of Social Media Content on Pediatric Ankyloglossia and Other Oral Ties. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2024. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2024.4211
    • Booth L, Pauwels J, Chadha NK, Felton M. “A lonely time for deaf and hard-of-hearing kids”: A qualitative study of the impact of COVID-19 precautions on classroom communication for adolescents with hearing loss. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2024;181:111989. doi:10.1016/j.ijporl.2024.111989.
    • Booth L, Kong T, Lali A, Lin A, Germain F, Lucas S, Rakapakshe R, Artchian S. Axillary lymph node coverage in breast cancer patients treated with adjuvant radiation using high tangent fields technique: A single institution’s experience. Arch Breast Cancer. 2024;11(1):75-81. doi:10.32768/abc.202411175-81.
    • Wener E, Booth L, Bensky H, Desai V, Negandhi J, Cushing SL, Papsin BC, Gordon KA. Exposure to Spoken Communication During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Children with Cochlear Implants. JAMA Network Open. 2023;6(10):e2339042. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.39042.
    • Heffernan A, Booth L, Fletcher R, Nunez DA. Vestibular Rehabilitation Potential of Commercially Available Virtual Reality Video Games. 2023. Journal of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. 2023;52(54). doi: 10.1186/s40463-023-00642-9.
    • Booth L, Lildhar L. Science Communication in the Age of Misinformation: Lessons from a Data Science Podcast. UBC Medical Journal.2022;14(1):30-31.
    • Booth L, Lo F, Davis MA, Spalluto LB, Yee J, Yong-Hing C, Murray N, Alwazzan AB, Khosa F. Gender Disparity in Medical Device Patents: A 5-year Trend from Canada and the United States. Journal of Surgical Research. 2022;280:248-257. doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2022.07.016.
  1. Research Interest

    Coming Soon

  1. Research Interest

    Coming Soon

  1. Research Interest

    QI, health equity, and patient experience.

  2. Publicatons

    • Hall J, Gupta M, Buresi M, Li D, Nasser Y, Andrews CN, Woo M, Randall DR. The Relationship between Upper Esophageal Sphincter Manometry Function and Esophageal Motility Disorders. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2024 Sep 30. doi: 10.1002/ohn.993. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39350508.
    • Hall J, Bourne KM, Vernino S, Hamrefors V, Kharraziha I, Nilsson J, Sheldon RS, Fedorowski A, Raj SR. Detection of G Protein-Coupled Receptor Autoantibodies in Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome Using Standard Methodology. Circulation. 2022 Aug 23;146(8):613-622. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.122.059971. Epub 2022 Jun 29. PMID: 35766055; PMCID: PMC9390234.
    • Hall J, Bourne KM, Stiles LE, Sheldon RS, Shibao CA, Okamoto LE, Garland EM, Gamboa AC, Diedrich A, Biaggioni I, Robertson D, Raj SR. Patients With Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome Have Different Experiences in Health Care in Canada and the United States. Can J Cardiol. 2021 Oct;37(10):1683-1684. doi: 10.1016/j.cjca.2021.07.017. Epub 2021 Aug 8. PMID: 34371119; PMCID: PMC9402394.
    • Hall J, Bourne KM, Sheldon RS, Vernino S, Raj V, Ng J, Okamoto LE, Arnold AC, Bryarly M, Phillips L, Paranjape SY, Raj SR. A comparison of health-related quality of life in autonomic disorders: postural tachycardia syndrome versus vasovagal syncope. Clin Auton Res. 2021 Jun;31(3):433-441. doi: 10.1007/s10286-021-00781-x. Epub 2021 Feb 7. PMID: 33550497; PMCID: PMC8184624.
  1. Research Interest

    Gender affirming care, QI, and education.

  2. Publications

    • Chowdhury R, Khoury S, Leroux JM, Alsayegh R, Lawlor CM, Graham ME. Alternative Therapies for Ankyloglossia-Associated Breastfeeding Challenges: A Systematic Review. Breastfeeding Medicine. 2024 Jul;19(7):497-504.
    • Morrow MR, Batchuluun B, Wu J, Ahmadi E, Leroux JM, Mohammadi-Shemirani P, et al. Inhibition of ATP-citrate lyase improves NASH, liver fibrosis, and dyslipidemia. Cell Metabolism. 2022 Jun;34(6):919-936.e8.
    • Yabut JM, Desjardins EM, Chan EJ, Day EA, Leroux JM, Wang B, et al. Genetic deletion of mast cell serotonin synthesis prevents the development of obesity and insulin resistance. Nature Communications. 2020 Jan 23;11(1):463.