The Bloedel Affiliate program is designed to connect established researchers in departments across the university who are engaging in studies in the connected fields of hearing, hearing disorders, and related subjects, including vestibular function, voice, speech, language, and their disorders. Its goal is to foster multidisciplinary collaborations on solutions in service of the Center’s mission.
Below are details on some Affiliates – a work in progress. Basic information on all of our current Affilates:
My research focuses on understanding how Wnt signaling regulates excitatory synaptic transmission and intrinsic neuronal properties in the mature central nervous system. By investigating how Wnt pathways modulate synaptic receptor trafficking and neuronal excitability, we aim to uncover mechanisms that shape information processing in neural circuits. Our work combines molecular and cellular biology, electrophysiology, and imaging to dissect the signaling events that fine-tune neuronal function and synaptic plasticity.
I enjoy uncovering how things work, particularly the mechanisms underlying information processing in the brain. I find it deeply rewarding to work with talented young scientists, guiding their development and learning from their curiosity. One of the most fulfilling aspects of academic research is the freedom to pursue compelling biological questions and follow the science wherever it leads.
My team research interest is in elucidating the mechanisms that specify the sensory structures of the mammalian inner ear. To this end we have looked at the FGF and Notch pathways and identified their roles in this process. More recently we have used next generation sequencing to look at the expression and regulation of genes during development. Using ATAC seq we identified a new role for the transcription factor Ebf1 in normal sensory development of the cochlea. We have identified genes expressed at key developmental time-points for both the cochlea and vestibular system. These results have given us insight into what genes regulate the transition from precursor to hair cells and support cells. What I most enjoy about my work is that it is never boring and we are making exciting discoveries.
Dr. Brown’s research is focused on spatial hearing – the auditory sense of “where” that enables us to locate and separate the sounds around us. Work in the lab leverages acoustic, psychophysical, and electrophysiological techniques, toward (1) identification of fundamental constraints on spatial hearing performance in normal and impaired hearing, and (2) targeted improvement of hearing devices, from earplugs to hearing aids.
The Dembrow Lab aims to provide a mechanistic understanding of how different neuron types contribute to both functional and pathological network activity in health and disease. Single-cell RNA sequencing has revealed hundreds of distinct neuron types in the human brain, with cell-type specificity increasingly linked to brain disorders. However, how gene expression maps to functional electrophysiology remains unclear. To address this gap, we perform Patch-seq recordings of individual neurons (capturing the transcriptome, morphology, and physiology) from primary auditory and motor cortex, as well as associative auditory and prefrontal cortices. Our goal is to identify how neuron types in rodents, non-human primates, and humans are specialized across different brain regions, and what this means for information processing. To understand how primate neuron types integrate and propagate activity across brain areas, the Dembrow Lab uses multicompartment patch-clamp recordings, two-photon calcium imaging, and light-evoked synaptic activation. These approaches help uncover the functional roles of different excitatory neuron types in the neocortex.
My goal is to understand the mechanisms of plasticity in the human brain by linking changes in function to changes in neuroanatomical structure, with a particular focus on the effects of early sensory loss.
Our research uses non-invasive methods to understand the auditory system, with a focus on how aging and noise exposure affect auditory function and overall hearing health. One of our primary goals is to identify early biomarkers of auditory decline to improve the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of hearing loss. We do this using a number of non-invasive approaches, including otoacoustic emissions, electrophysiology, and extended-high frequency measures. As a clinician-scientist, one of my favorite things about my work is having the opportunity to translate big, interesting research questions into real-world solutions.
David Horn, MD, MS
Infant Auditory Development
David Horn, MD, MS
Associate Professor – Otolaryngology-HNS Assistant PD, Oto-HNS R25 Training Grant
Dr. Horn’s research focuses on how early auditory experience shapes speech and language outcomes in infants who use cochlear implants, as compared to those with normal or atypical acoustic hearing. His team uses psychoacoustic methods, clinical measures of speech perception and language development, and longitudinal study designs to examine how specific auditory abilities—such as spectral and temporal resolution—emerge and influence communication outcomes. Based at the Virginia Merrill Bloedel Hearing Research Center, his NIH-funded lab works closely with clinical teams to translate findings into improved assessment and intervention strategies. Dr. Horn enjoys the opportunity to bridge basic hearing science with the real-world needs of children and families.
Our current research program focuses on how children who are deaf/hard of hearing develop literacy skills. We are also interested in interventions to improve children’s listening experience in noisy classrooms, leading to improved academic outcomes.
My research examines vestibular contributions to impaired balance and gait in people with Parkinson disease. Parkinson disease is a neurodegenerative condition affecting about one million people in the United States, and the number of people living with PD is increasing. Balance and gait impairments are among the most pervasive and consequential motor features of Parkinson disease, leading to increased disability and falls. My team studies how signals from the vestibular, visual, and somatosensory systems are integrated to help people understand how they are moving through the environment. Our current research uses motion capture to measure how balance and gait are impacted when visual signals conflict with vestibular and somatosensory inputs. Understanding how multi-sensory integration is impacted by Parkinson disease is critical for optimizing physical therapy and rehabilitation interventions for this population.
Mary-Claire King, PhD
Genetics of Inherited Hearing Loss
Mary-Claire King, PhD
American Cancer Society Professor Genome Sciences; Medicine
We use tools of genomics and molecular and cell biology to discover and characterize genes responsible for inherited hearing loss. The best part of this work is meeting families and other investigators worldwide.
I study how the brain controls eye movements. When the brain, muscles, or inner ear are affected by disease, injury, medication, or aging, eye movements can become inaccurate, leading to problems with vision and balance. The brain compensates for these changes through a process called eye movement learning, which helps restore movement accuracy. My research focuses on the neural circuits involved in this learning process to support rehabilitation efforts.
Dr. Lee’s research focuses on developing multimodal imaging techniques to investigate the cortical network involved in auditory scene analysis and attention, especially through designing novel behavioral paradigms that bridge the gap between psychoacoustics and neuroimaging research.
My lab studies how drug-drug interactions influence drug-induced hearing and vestibular injury. We use high-throughput imaging of zebrafish larvae to identify and characterize the drug combinations that protect against the toxicity that causes hearing and vestibular imaging.
My lab is interested in understanding how neurons in the brain process auditory signals. We focus on understanding how different types of neurons, their neural circuits, and synaptic connections enable us to hear. To achieve this, we employ in vitro slice electrophysiology, optogenetics, viral tract tracing, large-scale tissue clearing, and advanced imaging and neuroanatomical approaches. Ultimately, our discoveries could lead to a better understanding of the neural basis of hearing disorders such as tinnitus, hyperacusis, and speech processing challenges, potentially leading to new therapeutic interventions.
Kaibao Nie, PhD
Signal Processing in Hearing
Kaibao Nie, PhD
Associate Teaching Professor Electrical Engineering, UW Bothell
My research focuses on signal processing for hearing devices, including cochlear implants and hearing aids, to enhance speech intelligibility in noisy and complex listening environments.
Henry Ou, MA, MD
Pediatric Hearing Loss, Ototoxicity
Henry Ou, MA, MD
Associate Professor – Otolaryngology-HNS
Director – Hearing Loss Clinic Seattle Children’s Hospital
Director – Pediatric Otolaryngology Fellowship Seattle Children’s Hospital/UW
We aim to understand seasonal regrowth of brain circuits that underlie production of learned vocalizations that are used for social communication in songbirds. We also aim to understand how birds are able to maintain balance on two legs while simultaneously keeping their head still for stable vision.
James O. Phillips, PhD
Vestibular & Oculomotor Studies
James O. Phillips, PhD
Research Professor – Otolaryngology-HNS
Adjunct Research Professor Speech & Hearing Sciences
Damage and loss of hair cells are leading causes of hearing and balance disorders, affecting over 40 million people in the US. Hair cells are susceptible to environmental insults, including noise, chemical exposure and accumulated damage during aging. We take an interdisciplinary approach to study hair cell development, death and regeneration. We employ genetics, genome editing, single cell profiling, high resolution imaging, small molecule screening and computational modeling using zebrafish and rodent models.
Jay T. Rubinstein, MD, PhD
Hearing Rehabilitation Technology
Jay T. Rubinstein, MD, PhD
Virginia Merrill Bloedel Professor Otolaryngology-HNS
Computational simulation of electrical stimulation, behavioral and physiologic studies of humans with inner ear implants, pre-clinical and clinical studies of gene therapy, behavioral studies of genetic lesions of the cochlear amplifier.
Our work is on the nonlinear dynamics of neurons, neural networks, and neural populations. These dynamics are beautiful, and are richly varied from setting to setting – at times governed by mechanisms we can distill and explain and at times still eluding our best analytical tools. Beyond explaining the emergent dynamics of neural circuits, we want to understand how they encode and make decisions about the sensory world.
Research in Dr. Shen’s lab focuses on developing rapid and reliable clinical diagnostic tests in audiology and technologies that enable highly individualized interventions to communication challenges experienced by older adults.
The Sisneros Lab studies the adaptive plasticity of the auditory system for encoding social acoustic signals. We use fish as model systems to investigate ontogenetic and reproductive-state dependent changes in the auditory system. We are also interested in sound source localization and how fishes detect and locate underwater sound sources in both relatively simple and complex acoustic environments.
I received a PhD in Anatomy and Neurobiology at Boston University School of Medicine and then completed postdoctoral training at the University of Washington, Otolaryngology department. I joined the faculty in 1998 as a Research Assistant Professor; I am currently a Research Professor in Otolaryngology, with an adjunct appointment in Speech and Hearing Sciences. My current research focuses on vestibular hair cells – their structure and function, development, and capacity for regeneration. In particular, I hope to identify ways to promote better functional regeneration of vestibular hair cells using mouse models. My lab uses single cell transcriptomics and other tools to examine gene expression. We also apply cellular imaging, gene manipulations to test gene function, and behavioral analysis in our experiments. I enjoy collaborating with other faculty and providing training to students and fellows who have diverse backgrounds and interests.
Our lab investigates the evolution of nervous system novelties using emerging invertebrate study systems. We study the structure, development, and degeneration of hair cells in the octopus statocyst.
On the speech side, we study the acoustics of speech signals from various languages, including under-documented and endangered language. As part of this, we also study sources of systematic variation in spoken language related to speaking context and communicative strategies. On the hearing side we study how humans adapt to noise, distortion, and changes in hearing in speech perception and communication.
Voice, Speech, and Language
We use a wide range of research approaches to develop effective diagnostic and intervention strategies for people with communication impairments. Learn more.
My research is focused on understanding the neuromuscular changes to the larynx, particularly with aging, and to develop regenerative therapies for patients with voice and swallowing disorders.
Rechele Brooks, PhD
Social & Language Development in Infancy
Rechele Brooks, PhD
Research Scientist Institute for Learing & Brain Sciences (I-LABS)
My main research focus is the development of study of gaze following and pointing, and their relationship to language development. As part of my research I often employ multilevel regression models to predict language and behavioral outcomes. An exciting outcome was that we showed that Deaf infants of Deaf parents have advanced gaze following.
My research focuses on understanding the way that brains learn to do the most complex thing we do as humans: produce spoken language! We use MRI to look at brain structure and function, with a special focus on how the motor system interacts with communication. We study populations who have trouble with speech and language, including people who stutter and children and adutls with developmental language disorder.
Research in the UW Vocal Function Laboratory focuses on two main areas of inquiry: 1) auditory-perceptual evaluation of voice disorders, including identifying and reducing sources of variability related to these measures; and 2) everyday communication outcomes in a number of clinical populations, such as laryngeal dystonia and head and neck cancer. These studies have involved collaborations with colleagues in Speech and Hearing Sciences, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Washington and other institutions.
Dr. Horn’s research focuses on how early auditory experience shapes speech and language outcomes in infants who use cochlear implants, as compared to those with normal or atypical acoustic hearing. His team uses psychoacoustic methods, clinical measures of speech perception and language development, and longitudinal study designs to examine how specific auditory abilities—such as spectral and temporal resolution—emerge and influence communication outcomes. Based at the Virginia Merrill Bloedel Hearing Research Center, his NIH-funded lab works closely with clinical teams to translate findings into improved assessment and intervention strategies. Dr. Horn enjoys the opportunity to bridge basic hearing science with the real-world needs of children and families.
Erin Ingvalson, PhD
Speech Perception & Learning
Erin Ingvalson, PhD
Research Associate Professor Speech & Hearing Sciences
Our current research program focuses on how children who are deaf/hard of hearing develop literacy skills. We are also interested in interventions to improve children’s listening experience in noisy classrooms, leading to improved academic outcomes.
My research focuses on aspects of linguistic input that facilitate learning among children with developmental differences that originate from a wide range of genetic and environmental sources. We seek to answer questions about individual differences in language and communication outcomes by understanding mechanisms of learning from auditory input.
Patricia K. Kuhl, PhD
Early Language Learning & Brain Development
Patricia K. Kuhl, PhD
Professor – Speech & Hearing Sciences
Co-Director Institute for Learing & Brain Sciences (I-LABS)
Adjunct Professor – Psychology, Otolaryngology-HNS, Neuroscience, Linguistics, Education
My research investigates the neural mechanisms that support early language acquisition, with a focus on how infants learn speech and how this shapes later communication skills. Using brain imaging technologies such as MEG and MRI, my team studies how social interaction drives the learning process and how experience influences the developing brain. What I love most is connecting scientific discoveries about the brain to real-world opportunities that help all children learn and thrive.
Dr. Lau’s research combines brain and behavioral measures to investigate the relationship between how hearing develops and how language is acquired. One goal of her research is to develop objective measures that can be used in clinical practice to help better identify children who are at risk for language learning difficulties and to guide the personalization of treatment for each individual child.
Al Merati, MD
Workforce & Access to Care for Otolaryngology
Al Merati, MD
Professor – Otolaryngology-HNS
Chief – UWMC Montlake Laryngology
Associate Medical Director for Quality & Safety UW Medical Centers
Adjunct Professor Speech & Hearing Sciences, Music
Within Laryngology: fostering inquiry around vocal fold paralysis and neuropathy as well as understanding the nature of idiopathic vocal fold paralysis. National work on process and policy relating to health care access in otolaryngology and career development. Workforce assessment and studying unintended consequences of academic otolaryngology programs.
Tanya Kim Meyer, MD
Neuro-laryngology & Medical Education
Tanya Kim Meyer, MD
Professor & Residency Program Director – Otolaryngology-HNS
I am a Professor of Otolaryngology and the Residency Program Director at University of Washington in Seattle.
I completed my fellowship in Laryngology with Dr. Andrew Blitzer in New York City. My academic interests span
both clinical and educational pursuits. For over 15 years, I have been actively involved in graduate medical
education and in the teaching and mentoring of undergraduate students, medical students, otolaryngology
residents and laryngology fellows. My practice focuses on neuro-laryngology and disorders of the voice, airway
and swallowing mechanism. As a clinician-scientist, my major research interests have revolved around airway
disorders, medical education, and expressive communication.
The Mustafi Lab is investigating the genetic basis of inherited genetic diseases with a focus on syndromic diseases that affect the visual and auditory system, such as Usher Syndrome. We are developing a targeted long-read sequencing approach as a more comprehensive diagnostic tool for patients.
Kaibao Nie, PhD
Signal Processing in Hearing
Kaibao Nie, PhD
Associate Teaching Professor Electrical Engineering, UW Bothell
My research focuses on signal processing for hearing devices, including cochlear implants and hearing aids, to enhance speech intelligibility in noisy and complex listening environments.
My research focuses on how speech and language input in early learning environments shapes communication development in children with and without disorders. I use day-long audio recordings to capture linguistic exposure in naturalistic contexts, focusing on parent-child conversation and multilingual learning. I love collecting data in the wild – with families at home, in classrooms, and in communities.
We aim to understand seasonal regrowth of brain circuits that underlie production of learned vocalizations that are used for social communication in songbirds. We also aim to understand how birds are able to maintain balance on two legs while simultaneously keeping their head still for stable vision.
My research is in applying biomedical informatics tools such as machine learning and artificial intelligence for the early diagnosis of vocal disorders.
On the speech side, we study the acoustics of speech signals from various languages, including under-documented and endangered language. As part of this, we also study sources of systematic variation in spoken language related to speaking context and communicative strategies. On the hearing side we study how humans adapt to noise, distortion, and changes in hearing in speech perception and communication.
Tian Christina Zhao, PhD
Speech & Music in Infant Brains
Tian Christina Zhao, PhD
Research Assistant Professor Speech & Hearing Sciences
My expertise lies within neurophysiological measures using M/EEG in infants in response to complex auditory signals such as speech and music. Currently, my lab focuses on the neural mechanisms related to speech and music processing in infants, especially on applications in language delay and disorders.
Taste and Smell
We support studies of the chemical senses of taste and smell to enhance our understanding of how individuals gather information about their environment. Learn more.
Waleed M. Abuzeid, MD
Olfaction & Sinonasal Microbiology
Waleed M. Abuzeid, MD
Associate Professor – Otolaryngology-HNS
Director Rhinology Research, DEI
Co-Director Rhinology & Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery Fellowship
I collaborate with engineers to improve how we plan and guide surgery. We created a smartphone-based device that checks for middle ear effusion with no additional hardware. We plan complex surgeries by analyzing the 3D imaging, and we provide intraoperative guidance to surgeons to improve precision. I most enjoy creating new ways (including new technology) to improve how we care for patients.
Randall Bly, MD
Auditory Diagnostics & Skull Base Surgery
Randall Bly, MD
Associate Professor – Pediatric Otolaryngology-HNS
I collaborate with engineers to improve how we plan and guide surgery. We created a smartphone-based device that checks for middle ear effusion with no additional hardware. We plan complex surgeries by analyzing the 3D imaging, and we provide intraoperative guidance to surgeons to improve precision. I most enjoy creating new ways (including new technology) to improve how we care for patients.
