TIME magazine has recognized “SoundHealth Sonu: Drug-free sinus relief,” as one of 2025’s best inventions. Sonu was co-developed by Peter Hwang, MD.
The technology utilizes targeted vibrations to alleviate sinus congestion by constricting inflamed tissue and facilitating mucus movement. It was created in collaboration with Dr. Bryant Lin and Dr. Paramesh Gopi, and recently became the first FDA-approved device for treating nasal congestion and allergies without the use of drugs.
Photo Credit: SoundHealth
Dr. Tulio Valdez is the Principal Investigator on a UG3 grant from NIH for his project, "Combined shortwave infrared fluorescence and Raman for real-time, high-resolution imaging through tissue." Limited penetration depth hinders optical imaging in biological tissues due to light scattering and absorption. To address this challenge, Dr. Valdez and team propose a novel shortwave infrared (SWIR) imaging approach that enables macroscopic Raman and fluorescence imaging above 1500 nm, where scattering is significantly reduced, allowing for clear visualization of subcutaneous structures. Their research aims to enhance imaging depth and contrast by leveraging label-free SWIR Raman imaging and developing fluorophores optimized for 785 nm excitation with fluorescence signals well beyond 1500nm, facilitating deep-tissue imaging with improved resolution and clinical applicability.
Konstantina Stankovic, MD, PhD and Stefan Heller, PhD, MS have been awarded a $4.6 million grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM).
Dr. Konstantina Stankovic and Dr. Stefan Heller have been awarded a $4.6M grant from the CIRM for their project, “Identifying and Overcoming Roadblocks to Hearing Restoration Using Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells.” The need for human in vitro models of hearing loss is evidenced by the failure of numerous clinical trials of therapies that demonstrated promise in animal models, yet did not achieve hair cell regeneration or hearing restoration in humans. This proposal collaboratively addresses the bottlenecks to human hair cell regeneration using induced pluripotent stem cells.
Fred Baik, MD is the Principal Investigator on an industry contract from Droplet Biosciences Inc. for his project, “Surgical drain fluid for detection of molecular residual disease MRD patients with head and neck cancers.” The purpose of this observational study is to learn about head and neck cancers and to potentially support the development of a test that can support better treatment decisions for patients with head and neck cancers post-surgery.
Dr. Stefan Heller is the Principal Investigator on a grant from the Hearing Health Foundation for his project, “Cross-Species Epigenetics 2026 & Screening 2026.” This proposal aims to identify the factors, pathways, and processes responsible for the failure of regeneration in the mammalian inner ear. The project continues and extends earlier Seattle Plan projects in which bulk transcriptome and epigenetic data collection begun on hair cells and supporting cells from the perinatal period, as well as from transdifferentiating supporting cells.
Nathan Reticker-Flynn, PhD is the Principal Investigator on a grant from the Stanford Cancer Institute.
Dr. Nathan Reticker-Flynn is the Principal Investigator on a grant from the Stanford Cancer Institute for his project, “Decoding immunological tolerance programs within lymph nodes through in vivo interactions screens.” In this study, he will leverage new technological advances, including CRISPR screens and biochemical techniques for labeling cell-cell interactions, in combination with his mouse models of lymph node (LN) metastasis, to discover how interactions between Tregs and other immune cells within LNs promote the generation of tolerance following LN metastasis. He expects these studies to identify the molecular drivers of tolerance induction, laying the groundwork for the development of new immunotherapies targeting these processes in patients with stage 4 metastatic disease.
Tracy Cheng, MD, MS is the Principal Investigator on a grant from the American Hearing Research Foundation.
Dr. Tracy Cheng is the Principal Investigator on a grant from the American Hearing Research Foundation for her project, “Mammalian hair cell regeneration in two clinical models of human hearing loss.” Recent work in the laboratory of her mentor, Dr. Alan Cheng, and other groups has shown that hair cell regeneration is robust in all turns of the cochlea in a diphtheria toxin-induced hair cell damage model where three hair cell transcription factors are overexpressed (ATOH1, POU4F3, GFI1). While these results are promising, the animal model relies on a transgenic expression of diphtheria toxin receptor in hair cells, which does not occur clinically. This proposal uses two clinically relevant models of hearing loss – aminoglycoside induced damage and genetic mutation caused by TMPRSS3 deficiency –to determine if overexpression of the three transcription factors can drive hair cell regeneration.
Kay Chang, MD is the Principal Investigator on a grant from Integra LifeSciences Corporate Research Center.
Dr. Kay Chang is the Principal Investigator on a grant from Integra LifeSciences Corporate Research Center for his project, “Real World, Observational Pediatric Registry of the Acclarent AERA Eustachian Tube Balloon Dilation System”. This is an industry-sponsored registry study that intends to capture efficacy and safety outcomes for Eustachian tube balloon dilation in pediatric patients with objective signs of persistent Eustachian tube dysfunction. The primary objective of this registry is to assess the efficacy, effectiveness, safety, and clinical performance of the AERA device in children.