Digital Debut, Standout Science: Meet the 2026 Scientific Poster Winners

Find out which Scientific Posters earned top honors at this year’s Annual Meeting, then explore the research yourself in a fully digital format.

A new format for exceptional research: For the first time, every presentation is fully digital. More than 500 posters showcase the latest advancements in otolaryngology–head and neck surgery, and a select group rose to the top. The Annual Meeting Program Committee is honored to recognize the following authors for their exemplary work and their dedication to advancing the field and improving patient care.

2026 Scientific Poster Presentation Winners

Best in Show

The Psychosocial Impact of Microtia: A Systematic Review (#1038)

Presenting Author: Michael O. Olagbiyan – University of California - San Francisco

• Co-Author: Agnes Qianqian Zhu, MD – University of California - San Francisco
• Co-Author: Kara D. Brodie, MD – University of California - San Francisco
• Senior Author: Kimberly Luu, MD – University of California - San Francisco

Michael O. Olagbiyan with the award-winning digital poster.

Best in Basic/Clinical Science

Mechanism of Pepsin-induced Neutrophil Recruitment and Activation via Epithelial Cells in Mucosal Injury (#226)

Presenting Author: Chenjie Hou, MD – Intermediate Professional, Fuzhou University Affiliated Provincial Hospital

• Senior Author: Chenjie Hou, MD – Intermediate Professional, Fuzhou University Affiliated Provincial Hospital
• Senior Author: Ting Chen, MD – Head of Department of ENT, Fuzhou University Affiliated Provincial Hospital

Ting Chen, MD (left), and Chenjie Hou, MD (right), with their award-winning digital poster.

2026 Scientific Poster Presentation Honorable Mentions

Honorable Mention in Business of Medicine/Practice Management 

Ambient AI Scribes in Otolaryngology: Reducing Documentation Burden, Cognitive Load, and Burnout (#001)

Presenting Author: Jennifer Ren, MD – Resident Physician, University of Washington

• Senior Author: John Paul Giliberto, MD – Associate Professor, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Washington

Honorable Mention in Care Equity, Quality, and Safety 

When tracheostomy supplies run out: Exploring workflows and workarounds for patients and families in Nebraska (#131)

Presenting Author: Noha A. Algahimi, BS – Medical Student, University of Nebraska Medical Center

Presenting Author: Karissa A. Nichols, BS – Medical Student, University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Medicine

• Co-Author: Jana L. Wardian, PhD – Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center
• Co-Author: Kaeli K. Samson, MA, MPH – Statistician, University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Public Health, Department of Biostatistics
• Co-Author: Kayley Anderson, BA, BS, MPH – Medical Student, University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Medicine
• Co-Author: Eli M. Rhoads, MD – Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center/Nebraska Medicine/Nebraska Children's Hospital
• Senior Author: Jayme R. Dowdall, MD, FACS – Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center/Nebraska Medicine

Honorable Mention in Comprehensive Otolaryngology 

Flexible Laryngoscopy in Resource-limited Settings: A Review and Low-cost Prototype Proposal (#220)

Presenting Author: Divya A. Patel – Medical Student, Carle Illinois College of Medicine

Presenting Author: Shreya S. Rangarajan, MD, MSc – Yale School of Medicine

• Co-Author: Shreya S. Rangarajan, MD, MSc – Yale School of Medicine
• Co-Author: Ashok A. Jagasia, MD, PhD – Physician, Rush University
• Senior Author: Ashok A. Jagasia, MD, PhD – Physician, Rush University

Honorable Mention in Endocrine Surgery 

Validating the MOST in Goiter and Graves' Disease (#306)

Presenting Author: Lucy J. Xu, MD – Resident, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School

• Co-Author: Amr H. Ahmed, MD, MMSc – Research Scientist, Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Harvard Medical School
• Co-Author: Marika D. Russell, MD, FACS – Assistant Professor, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School
• Co-Author: Gregory W. Randolph, MD – Claire and John Bertucci Endowed Chair in Thyroid Surgical Oncology, Harvard Medical School
• Senior Author: Jennifer J. Shin, MD, SM – Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Mass General Brigham

Honorable Mention in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 

Online Reviews, Social Media, and Surgeon Selection in Facial Plastic Surgery (#415)

Presenting Author: Julie G. Elfishawy – Medical Student, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

• Co-Author: Jordan S. Kankam, BS – Medical Student, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine
• Co-Author: Kurren S. Gill, MD – Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon, Northwestern Memorial Hospital
• Co-Author: Douglas M. Sidle, MD – Assistant Professor, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern Medicine
• Senior Author: James C. Wang, MD, PhD – Assistant Professor, Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Honorable Mention in Global Perspective in Otolaryngology 

Improving Otolaryngology Care at the Primary Healthcare Level: A Survey of Rwandan Primary Care Providers (#512)

Presenting Author: Trinithas J. Boyi, MD, MA – Resident Physician, Southern Illinois University

• Co-Author: Kamala Pullakhandam, BA – Ms.
• Co-Author: Mary Jue Xu, MD – Assistant Professor, University of California - San Francisco
• Co-Author: Gabrielle L. Cahill, MD, MPH – Dr., University of California, Los Angeles Department of Head and Neck Surgery
• Co-Author: Nina Patel, MS, MPhil – Ms., University of California - San Francisco, Department of Otolaryngology
• Senior Author: Gratien Tuyishimire, MD – Dr., University of Global Health Equity, Rwanda Otology & Neurotology Fellow, Max Subspeciality Hospital

Honorable Mention in Head and Neck Surgery 

Evolving Trends in Thyroid Cancer Management and Demographics: A SEER-based Analysis (#619)

Presenting Author: Alexandra N. Konvalina, MS3 – Ms.

• Co-Author: Christopher Stewart, DO, – Mr., Kansas City University
• Co-Author: Karson M. Ballard, MS3 – Mr., Kansas City University
• Co-Author: Randall C. Hansen, DO – Dr, Freeman Health System Department of Otolaryngology
• Co-Author: Alex L. Otto, DO – Dr., Freeman Health System Department of Otolaryngology
• Senior Author: Kent McIntire, DO – Dr, Freeman Health System Department of Otolaryngology

Honorable Mention in Laryngology/Broncho-Esophagology 

Dental Restoration and Associations with Leukoplakia and Head and Neck Cancer: A Propensity-matched Cohort Study (#214)

Presenting Author: Mishek Thapa, BS – Medical Student, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles

Presenting Author: Victor M. Arechiga, BS – Medical Student, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA

• Co-Author: Victor M. Arechiga, BS – Medical Student, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA
• Co-Author: Albert Y. Li, BA – Medical Student, Keck School of Medicine
• Co-Author: Nathan Vu, BS – Medical Student, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA
• Co-Author: Joel A. Sercarz, MD – Professor of Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA
• Senior Author: Peter S. Han, MD – Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, UCLA

Honorable Mention in Otology/Neurotology 

Predicting Vestibular Schwannoma Growth Using Gadolinium-enhanced MRI: Diagnostic Accuracy and Inter-rater Reliability (#872)

Presenting Author: Hiroyuki Yamada, MD, PhD – Associate Professor, Ehime University, School of Medicine

• Co-Author: Takuya Kimura, MD, PhD – Staff Physician, Kamio Memorial Hospital
• Co-Author: Masato Teraoka, MD, PhD – Senior Assistant Professor, Ehime University, School of Medicine
• Co-Author: Ryota Takagi, MD – Staff Physician, Ehime University, School of Medicine
• Co-Author: Takemichi Tanaka, MD – Staff Physician, Ehime University, School of Medicine
• Co-Author: Eriko Nishihara, MD, PhD – Assistant Professor, Ehime University, School of Medicine
• Senior Author: Naohito Hato, MD, PhD – Professor, Ehime University, School of Medicine

Honorable Mention in Pediatric Otolaryngology 

3D Printed Simulation Model Facilitates Caregiver Procedural Education Within a Medical Device Clinical Trial (#1002)

Presenting Author: Mariam E. Nazjoo, BS, MS – Clinical Research Associate, Michigan Medicine, Neurology Department, University of Michigan

• Co-Author: Alyssa S. Chen, MD – PGY-3 Resident, Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Harvard Medical School
• Co-Author: Zahra Nourmohammadi, PhD – Research Specialist, Otolaryngology, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan
• Co-Author: Jennifer L. Helman, NP – Advanced Practice Nurse, University of Michigan Health
• Co-Author: Jeffrey Plott, PhD – Assistant Research Scientist, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan
• Co-Author: Louise M. O’Brien, PhD, MS – Research Professor, Neurology, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School
• Senior Author: David A. Zopf, MD, MS – Chief, Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology; Associate Professor, University of Wisconsin–Madison

Honorable Mention in Professional and Personal Development 

Standardizing Procedural Readiness in Otolaryngology Through an Advanced Integration Curriculum (#1111)

Presenting Author: Sofia J. Leusch, BS – Medical Student, University of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine

• Co-Author: John Rustad, BA – Medical Student, University of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine
• Co-Author: Erin Ostby, MD – Otolaryngologist, University of Vermont Medical Center, Department of Otolaryngology
• Senior Author: Sofia J. Leusch, BS – Medical Student, University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine
• Senior Author: Erin Ostby, MD – Otolaryngologist, University of Vermont Medical Center, Department of Otolaryngology

Honorable Mention in Rhinology/Allergy 

Dupilumab Therapy and Depression Related Outcomes in CRSwNP Patients (#1221)

Presenting Author: Deepthi S. Akella, DO, MS – Resident Physician, University of Missouri-Columbia

• Co-Author: Maaz S. Haji, BS – Medical Student, Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
• Co-Author: Abraham A. Kassem, BS – Medical Student, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo, Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery
• Co-Author: Alexandra F. Corbin, BS – Medical Student, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo
• Co-Author: Abigail L. Contello – Medical Student, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo
• Senior Author: Michele M. Carr, DDS, MD, MEd, PhD – Professor, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo, Dept of Otolaryngology
• Senior Author: Christine B. Franzese, MD – Professor, University of Missouri-Columbia

Honorable Mention in Sleep Medicine  

Clinical Outcomes in Obese Children Without Routine Preoperative Polysomnography Following Adenotonsillectomy (#1307)

Presenting Author: Nomongo Dorjsuren – Ms., Vanderbilt University Medical Center

• Co-Author: Brooke Adams – Ms., Vanderbilt University Medical Center
• Co-Author: Finnegan T. Clark, BA – Medical Student, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
• Co-Author: Kalpnaben R. Patel, MD, CCRP – Pediatric Otolaryngology Research Coordinator, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
• Senior Author: Lyndy J. Wilcox, MD, MMHC – Associate Professor, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Explore the Posters Your Way
Visit the interactive kiosks throughout the Los Angeles Convention Center and OTO EXPO, or browse anytime in the OTOMTG app. Search by topic, author, or keyword, and listen to recorded audio presentations from authors for a deeper look at their research.