University of Minnesota

Postdoctoral Research Training
in Otolaryngology

Summary

Postdoctoral research training is available at the University of Minnesota in areas related to Otolaryngology. Annually renewable fellowships will be awarded to qualified MDs and PhDs for up to two years of support. The training program focuses on laboratory-based research mentored by one or more of 26 available faculty working in 17 laboratories. Training programs are tailored to fellows' needs, and training may be supplemented by coursework as appropriate. General areas in which training is available are Inner Ear Biology, Central Vestibular Function and Pathophysiology, Implantable Auditory Prostheses, Audiology and Psychoacoustics, Otitis Media, Head and Neck Oncology, and Rhinology/Laryngology/Wound Healing.

Eligibility

Positions will be awarded to MDs and PhDs seeking advanced research training in specific areas of Otolaryngology in preparation for an academic career. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or, alternatively, foreign nationals lawfully admitted or eligible for permanent residence. Candidates holding MD degrees must have either completed or be enrolled in an accredited Otolaryngology or other medical residency. Candidates holding PhD degrees must have completed graduate work in an appropriate scientific discipline such as Neuroscience, Physiology, Biomedical Engineering, Anatomy, Experimental Psychology, Audiology, Biochemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology, or Genetics. Important personal attributes include a commitment to research, a desire to obtain in-depth knowledge and expertise in one or more specific areas of Otolaryngology research, and an intention to pursue an academic career.

Research Areas

Training is available in 7 general research areas. Participating faculty and research disciplines are as follows:
Inner Ear Biology:
John H. Anderson (vestibular physiology)
Arndt J. Duvall (cochlear ultrastructure)
Eric Javel (auditory stimulus coding and perceptual mechanisms)
Steven K. Juhn (cochlear/vestibular biochemistry)
Rick M. Odland (cochlear microdialysis)
Peter A. Santi (cochlear anatomy and immunohistology)
Central Vestibular Function and Pathophysiology:
John H. Anderson (vestibular/oculomotor physiology; postural stability)
Implantable Auditory Prostheses:
Gail S. Donaldson (cochlear implant psychophysics and speech perception)
Eric Javel (physiology of cochlear implants and implantable hearing aids)
Samuel C. Levine (implantable hearing aids and neuro-otology)
David A. Nelson (cochlear implant psychophysics and speech perception)
Audiology / Psychoacoustics:
Gail S. Donaldson (psychoacoustics; speech perception)
Lisa L. Hunter (pediatric hearing loss)
Robert H. Margolis (tympanometry and reflectance; electrophysiologic measures)
David A. Nelson (psychophysics of hearing loss; otoacoustic emissions)
Otitis Media:
Kathleen A. Daly (epidemiology)
G. Scott Giebink (immunology; clinical trials)
Lisa L. Hunter (middle ear function)
Jizhen Lin (genetics and molecular biology)
Michael M. Paparella (temporal bone histopathology)
Head and Neck Oncology:
George L. Adams (effects of radiation and chemotherapy)
Markus Gapany (tumor-cell markers)
Frank H. Ondrey (oncological genetics and molecular biology)
Rhinology / Laryngology / Wound Healing
George S. Goding (laryngeal physiology)
David A. Hom (chemical and hyperbaric effects on wound healing)
Frank L. Rimell (histopathology of sinusitis)

Stipends and Benefits

Annual compensation depends on previous experience. The range is $32,500 for fellows with no previous postdoctoral training to $42,500 for fellows with 6 or more years postdoctoral experience. Time spent in a medical residency is credited as postdoctoral experience, as is research-related postdoctoral employment. Fellows receive medical insurance for themselves at no cost, and coverage for immediate family members is available at additional cost. Funds are available for attendance at one or more scientific meetings yearly, and limited funds are available to purchase equipment and supplies specific to fellows' research projects.

Application Process

The following should be submitted:

  1. An up-to-date curriculum vitae.
  2. A 2-3 page statement that addresses (1) prior research experience and findings, (2) specific research training sought, and (3) career goals.
  3. Reprints of representative research publications.
  4. Names, addresses and telephone numbers of 3 persons who can provide letters of reference.

Mail the material to:

Postdoctoral Research Training Committee
Dept. of Otolaryngology
Box 396 Mayo Bldg.
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Applications may be submitted at any time and starting dates may vary depending on personal circumstances.

Research Laboratories and Programs

Auditory Physiology Laboratory and Evoked Auditory Response Facility (E. Javel)

The Auditory Physiology Laboratory and Evoked Auditory Response Facility (E. Javel) is currently performing research in three areas. One area is neural coding of electrical signals used or proposed for use in cochlear implants, as represented in responses of single auditory nerve fibers (ANFs). Main objectives of this work are to extend existing knowledge of ANF responses to electrical pulse trains and assess residual neural response capabilities as a function of time following de-afferentation. The goal of this research is to provide knowledge about factors governing information transfer through cochlear implants.

The second research area examines single-cell and neural population performance on selected detection and discrimination tasks, for both electric and acoustic signals. These studies involve collecting neural data using forced-choice procedures drawn from psychophysics and using signal detection theory approaches to examine the data. The goal is to determine physiological mechanisms that may account for perceptual performance.

The third research area deals with characterizing electrically-elicited auditory and vestibular evoked responses in animals. One set of studies involves acoustically elicited evoked responses recorded through gross electrodes placed directly on the eighth nerve. Another set of studies utilizes electrical microstimulation as a means for identifying cochlear and vestibular nerve subdivisions and assessing each subdivision's contributions to far-field responses. The goal of this work is to develop new techniques for intraoperative monitoring of the eighth nerve.

Balance and Eye Movement Laboratory (J.H. Anderson)

The Balance and Eye Movement Laboratory (J.H. Anderson) studies the vestibular and oculomotor systems in normal human subjects, in patients with inner ear and central nervous system diseases, and in animal models for inner ear dysfunction and certain neurodegenerative diseases.

One project focuses on examining changes in the neurochemistry of the rat vestibular nuclei following surgical destruction of the inner ear or tetrodotoxin-induced blockage of vestibular nerve activity. The studies focus on analyses of neurotransmitter receptors for GABAA, NMDA and metabotropic glutamate receptor subtypes. Molecular and neurochemical results are correlated with electrophysiological recordings from single brainstem and cerebellar neurons in the alert rat, expression of inducible transcription factors, and dynamic characteristics of the vestibulo-ocular reflex.

Another project studies autosomal dominant spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) and episodic ataxias (EAs), which are a group of adult-and juvenile-onset neurodegenerative diseases. Aims are to (1) determine the genetic status of all SCA and EA patients in the University of Minnesota Ataxia Database, (2) determine whether genetically homogeneous forms of SCA manifest unique patterns of oculomotor and vestibular abnormalities, (3) determine whether the length of CAG repeat expansions in SCA 1,2,3 and 6 correlate with the profile of oculomotor and vestibular abnormalities, and (4) define the progression of oculomotor, vestibular and postural abnormalities as a function of disease duration for SCA 1-7. These studies may identify diagnostic features for some SCA types and provide useful information about selective vulnerability of CNS neurons and the pathogenesis of CAG repeat diseases.

Cochlear Anatomy Laboratory (P.A. Santi)

The Cochlear Anatomy Laboratory (P.A. Santi) performs work directed at improving the understanding of the structure and molecular composition of the cochlea. Current projects are focused on examining inner ear extracellular matrix glycoconjugates (GCs) using transmission and scanning electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry and biochemical assays of inner ear proteins. The general hypothesis is that the inner ear consists of numerous and varied GCs that serve a number of important roles, among which are structural, adhesive, trophic, and electrostatic charge functions. Immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) permits identification of specific GCs, and immunoblotting against inner ear antigens confirms epitope specificity of the Mabs. Particular emphasis is directed toward understanding the micromechanical characteristics of GCs that comprise the basal lamina, attachment of the stereocilia to one another and to the undersurface of the tectorial membrane, and GCs of the basilar membrane. Studies are performed in animals with normal and damaged hearing.

Auditory Biochemistry Laboratory (S.K. Juhn)

The Auditory Biochemistry Laboratory (S.K. Juhn) performs research on the effects of acute and chronic administration of epinephrine on cochlear function in animals. These studies involve measuring ion concentrations in inner ear fluids, conducting morphological studies of inner ear tissues, and evaluating auditory function via evoked responses before, during and after drug administration. The molecular mechanism of epinephrine effects on the inner ear is also being determined by identifying and characterizing adrenergic receptors and receptor kinases in the cochlear tissues, especially in the stria vascularis and marginal cells.

Microdialysis Laboratory (R.M. Odland)

The Microdialysis Laboratory (R.M. Odland) performs work on semi-permeable probes placed into the cochlea, for the purpose of introducing or extracting fluid. The principal advantage of microdialysis is that the same probe can be used to simultaneously collect fluid samples and administer soluble agents. Studies currently under way determine the extent to which microdialysis probes may be used to collect inner ear fluids for biochemical analysis and to administer chemicals and drugs. Recent projects involve documenting the effects of epinephrine on hearing and inner ear fluid composition.

Cytology Laboratory (M.M. Paparella and P.A. Schachern)

The Cytology Laboratory (M.M. Paparella and P.A. Schachern) performs studies on otitis media. One set of experiments involves correlating specific types of histopathologic findings in the tympanic membrane with those in the middle ear, using quantitative morphometric measurements in human temporal bones. Other experiments determine the location of residual mesenchyme and its resolution in temporal bones from infants and children with and without otitis media, and they determine the origin of the epithelium of the middle ear cleft using immunohistochemical methods. In these, specific middle ear pathologies are correlated with the presence of epithelium of different origins. Yet other studies identify histopathologic changes in human temporal bones with otitis media and correlate these findings with audiometric test findings. Finally, an animal model of otitis media-induced cochlear lesions that serves as an accelerated model of cochlear pathology is being developed.

Otopathology / Molecular Biology Laboratory (J. Lin)

The Otopathology / Molecular Biology Laboratory (J. Lin) conducts research on mucoid otitis media (MOM), a common otological disease in both adults and children whose pathogenesis is poorly understood. MOM is characterized by mucus cell metaplasia in the middle ear and accumulation of mucin-containing fluid in the middle ear cavity. It ultimately compromises middle ear function by inducing hearing loss and scarring middle ear structures. MOM likely involves mucin gene expression and up-regulation in the middle ear mucosa. Studies currently under way deal with characterizing mucin gene expression unique to MOM. The long-term goal of this work is to develop a novel strategy for treating MOM that is based on the understanding of its pathogenesis.

Pediatric Infectious Disease Laboratory (G.S. Giebink)

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Laboratory (G.S. Giebink) is working on four projects whose principal goal is developing and testing an anti-otitis media vaccine. One project involves determining if a vaccine developed from polyvalent streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) capsular polysaccharide is safe, well-tolerated and immunogenic when administered to pregnant women at 30-32 weeks gestation, and whether it delays the onset of and reduces the incidence of otitis media (OM) during the first 6 months of life. The second project involves determining the most predictive cord-blood anti-polysaccharide antibody and opsonic parameters for time to the infant's first OM episode and incidence of OM over the first 6 months of life. The third project involves determining if adult women and their children who were enrolled 2-4 years earlier in this study and had low cord-blood IgG anti-polysaccharide antibody titers at that time, are capable of mounting normal serum isotype and subclass antibody responses to Spn polysaccharide vaccine. The fourth project involves determining if Spn polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccine is well-tolerated and immunogenic in pregnant chinchillas and whether their offspring are protected against OM induced by directly injecting Spn into the middle ear.

Clinical Psychoacoustics Laboratory (D.A. Nelson and G.S. Donaldson)

The Clinical Psychoacoustics Laboratory (D.A. Nelson and G.S. Donaldson) conducts research on three topics. The first topic involves characterizing individual differences in cochlear implant subjects' ability to extract temporal information from static and dynamic stimuli, determining whether such differences can be explained by psychophysical measures related to neural refractoriness and neural facilitation, and relating temporal-resolution abilities to speech recognition performance. Measures of temporal resolution being evaluated include pulse-rate discrimination, rate-pitch magnitude estimation, and modulation-rate discrimination. Speech identification experiments are also being performed to investigate the upper frequency limit of usable envelope cues and to assess subjects' abilities to extract temporal speech cues.

The second topic involves characterizing individual differences in intensity processing capabilities among cochlear implant users, so that intensity coding schemes employed in speech processors may be optimized for individual patients. Principal areas of research include intensity discrimination, modulation detection and complex envelope processing, temporal integration and psychometric functions for detection, threshold and dynamic range, and correlations between psychophysical measures of intensity processing and speech recognition performance.

The third topic considers auditory perceptual performance in human subjects with sensorineural hearing loss. Specific studies involve examining temporal resolution and perceptual response growth via forward and simultaneous masking techniques. Objectives of this work are to determine how hearing loss limits auditory analysis and determine which peripherally-based mechanisms are most affected by cochlear pathology.

Pediatric Hearing Research Laboratory (L.L. Hunter)

The Pediatric Hearing Research Laboratory (L.L. Hunter) performs research on otitis media in children. Projects are directed at (1) measuring the prevalence, incidence and progression of tympanic membrane abnormalities, (2) characterizing middle ear impedance changes in conductive and sensorineural hearing loss, and (3) obtaining measures of binaural processing, evoked responses, verbal language and reading development, and attention in 127 children previously diagnosed with otitis media. Objectives of this work are to provide information regarding the severity of sequelae associated with otitis media and to characterize variables that predict their occurrence.

Epidemiology Laboratory (K.A. Daly)

The Epidemiology Laboratory (K.A. Daly) performs prospective research directed at understanding the epidemiology of otitis media (OM) and hearing loss among Native American children from birth to age two, and defining the relative importance of known and new risk factors in this population. 500 women have been enrolled from three reservations in northern Minnesota and an urban clinic that serves a predominantly Native American population. Women enroll during pregnancy, and their infants are followed from birth. Measures are obtained at regular intervals to diagnose OM and hearing loss. These include medical examinations, pneumatic otoscopy, tympanometry, and otoacoustic emissions. Mothers are interviewed about known and potential risk factors for OM in the prenatal and early infancy periods, and their knowledge and attitudes about OM and its risk factors is examined. Cord bloods are collected at birth to assess concentrations of type-specific pneumococcal antibodies. After controlling for confounders, the effects of known and potential risk factors on OM incidence, age at onset, degree of recurrence, and hearing loss are determined using both regression and survival analysis methods. Data collected in the epidemiologic study, in focus groups, and interviews with tribal leaders are used to guide development of an intervention to reduce risk-factor prevalence.

Tympanometry/Electrophysiology Laboratory (R.H. Margolis)

The Tympanometry/Electrophysiology Laboratory (R.H. Margolis) performs work directed at extending the range of acoustic immittance measurements available for detecting middle ear disease in humans and animals. Studies focus on wideband reflectance, a newly-developed measurement technique that circumvents the problem of standing waves in the ear canal. With this technique, a wideband (125-10,700 Hz) analysis of middle ear function can be obtained in about 2 s. Preliminary results suggest that wideband reflectance may be a quick, sensitive, specific test for middle ear disease. To date wideband reflectance measurements have been made at only one ear canal air pressure, namely ambient pressure. Studies under way involve modifying the technique to perform reflectance tympanometry, i.e., measuring reflectance as a function of ear canal air pressure. The relative value of conventional tympanometry, multifrequency tympanometry, wideband reflectance, and reflectance tympanometry in detecting middle ear dysfunction is being determined in human subjects and in chinchillas with normal middle ear function and with middle ear disease. This research is expected to result in improved diagnostic methods which will lead to earlier, more specific assessment of middle ear disease and more effective intervention.

Laryngeal Physiology Laboratory (G.S. Goding)

The Laryngeal Physiology Laboratory (G.S. Goding) performs research on the laryngeal chemoreflex (LCR), a neonatal reflex associated with sudden infant death and apnea. The LCR exists in newborn animals as well as in humans, and it disappears over time. Two general research questions being addressed in these investigations are "What is the cause of the developmental change?" and "What interventions are available to block the LCR that can be translated into clinical practice?" Current studies are directed at (1) investigating the effect of administering CO2 to the laryneal mucosa as it relates to the LCR and (2) monitoring PaO2 and PaCO2 levels during development of hypotension and spontaneous recovery. The goal of the work is to determine whether resumption of breathing following LCR-induced apnea is triggered by CO2 levels sensed by the brainstem or by O2 levels sensed by peripheral chemoreceptors.

Airway Laboratory (F.L. Rimell)

The Airway Laboratory (F.L. Rimell) conducts research on delineating the inflammatory process in acute sinusitis in rabbits and characterizing synchronous inflammatory changes in the middle ear. Maxillary sinusitis is induced by obstructing the natural ostea and inoculating the space with streptococcus pneumonia. Both sinus and middle ear aspirates and mucosa are harvested at selected time points, and local and systemic immune responses are quantitatively determined by measuring anti-pneumococcal IgG levels and levels of inflammatory mediators (cytokines). Cell death is determined by analyzing sinus and middle ear fluids for LDH content and apoptosis. Histological studies on sinus and middle ear tissues are performed to determine whether lymphocytes and PMNs migrate to these sites, and tissue ultrastructure is examined to assay for inflammation via changes in ciliary architecture, orientation, and clumping. Finally, middle ear function during and after infection is assessed using standard tympanometric methods.

Wound Healing Laboratory (D.B. Hom)

The Wound Healing Laboratory (D.B. Hom) performs research that examines the effects of growth factors and oxygen level on wound healing in soft tissue. One set of studies determines whether basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) production and native protein are lower in previously-irradiated tissue than in non-irradiated tissue. In this, basic FGF mRNA and native protein levels are being evaluated by RNase protection assays and by RTPCR and immunohistological techniques. A second set of studies investigates the potential for administering supplemental bFGF to promote healing in normal and irradiated tissue. In one experiment the effects of applying supplemental bFGF to irradiated and nonirradiated skin flaps are being determined by measuring collagen concentration, assessing tensile strength, and staining for collagen at various times following surgery. In another experiment the vascular effects of providing supplemental bFGF to irradiated skin flaps are being evaluated by angiography and subcutaneous tissue oxygen measurements. A third set of studies investigates the effects of providing supplemental bFGF to irradiated wounds under different tissue oxygen conditions. bFGF expression and production in the healing flap is evaluated by RNase protection assay, RTPCR and by immunohistology.

Head and Neck Molecular Oncology Laboratory (F.G. Ondrey and G.L. Adams)

The Head and Neck Molecular Oncology Laboratory (F.G. Ondrey and G.L. Adams) performs research on pro-inflammatory cytokines and prostaglandins in head and neck carcinoma cell lines and human tumors. One set of projects deals with the ability of inhibitors of the cyclo-oxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways to down-regulate prostaglandin production and certain pro-inflammatory cytokines in head and neck carcinoma cell lines. The central hypothesis of this work is that down-regulation of these substances modulates both the local inflammatory milieu and the genesis and progression of squamous cell carcinoma. Another set of projects deals with eicosanoid inhibition as it relates to decreased cellular proliferation, necrosis, and apoptosis in aerodigestive carcinomas. Of particular interest is the role eicosanoid metabolism plays in the development and progression of head and neck carcinoma, both in in vitro laboratory studies and in in vivo clinical trials on humans. Eicosanoid production, cytokine production, and early response gene activation pathways are examined after treatment with eicosanoid inhibitors to look for modulation of biological response mediator elaboration by transformed keratinocyte cell lines as well as overtly carcinomatous human cell lines. Analysis of transcriptional activation of early response genes and genes identified as being linked to apoptotic processes in head and neck cancer are studied with molecular biology techniques that include RNA expression analysis, Western protein analysis, electromobility shift analysis and reporter-gene functional activation. Staining of patient tissues for expression of various proteins is performed to correlate in vitro findings with patient response to treatment and prognosis. Finally, clinical trials are under way in which patients with dysplastic lesions are treated with FDA-approved eicosanoid inhibitory compounds in a Phase II setting and examined serially for the resolution of their dysplasia. Biopsy material is analyzed in an attempt to correlate lab findings with pre-malignant and malignant phenotypes.

Tumor Biology Laboratory (M. Gapany)

The Tumor Biology Laboratory (M. Gapany) performs studies to test hypotheses that (1) transformation of normal oropharyngeal mucosa to squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (SCCHN) is associated with dysregulation of protein kinase CK2, and (2) CK2 may be employed as a molecular therapeutic target. One investigation assesses CK2 activity in SCCHN relative to clinicopathological tumor parameters and patient survival. In particular, we are interested in determining whether elevated cytosolic CK2 activity is significantly correlated with poor histologic tumor differentiation, metastatic lymph node involvement, and (most importantly) poor clinical outcome. Other studies determine whether malignant transformation of normal mucosa to SCCHN might be associated with altered CK2 activity in the chromatin compartment of these tumors. In one experiment CK2 activity is being measured in the chromatin of surgical tumor specimens and specimens of normal oropharyngeal mucosa from non smokers/non-drinkers. If CK2 activity is significantly elevated in tumor chromatin relative to normal mucosa, then activation of dysregulation of the chromatin-associated CK2 signal may play a role in the pathobiology of the SCCHN. In another experiment the distribution of CK2 in tumor cells is being determined using immunohistochemical staining patterns of surgical specimens of SCCHN and normal mucosa by a monoclonal antibody directed against the catalytic subunit (CK2-a). Staining patterns for CK2-a are being compared with cellular distribution of CK2, based on measurements of enzyme activity in tissue homogenates. Yet other studies utilize Northern blot analysis of mRNA expression for CK2 and CK2 to determine whether increased CK2 expression in SCCHN stems from enhanced transcription of the messages for CK2. Future studies will explore the potential of employing CK2 as a molecular therapeutic target. We will assess the feasibility of down-regulating the catalytic sub-unit of CK2 by specifically targeting its mRNA using antisense oligodeoxynucleoside methodology. Experiments involve transfecting human Ca9-22 cells derived from SCCHN with CK2 -sense or -antisense oligodeoxynucleosides. Goals are to measure both CK2 activity and effects on cell growth, for the purpose of determining whether in vitro transfection results in downregulation of CK2 activity and dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth.

Laboratory and Clinical Facilities

Departmental laboratories occupy over 12,000 sq. ft. and are fully equipped. Most are housed on the 8th floor of the Phillips-Wangensteen Building (PWB), which is located in the medical school/hospital complex and on the 1st and 2nd floors of the Lions Research Building (LRB), which is located a few blocks away. Departmental research space is also located on-campus in the Mayo Memorial Building (MMB) and off-campus in the Minneapolis V.A. Medical Center (VAMC) and in the Minnesota Medical Research Foundation at the Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC).

Other departmental facilities available to fellows include the Otolaryngology and Audiology Clinics and the Temporal Bone, Otopathology, Electron Microscope and Photography Laboratories. The Otolaryngology Clinic processes over 13,000 patient visits yearly, of a total of more than 40,000 visits at the four clinical sites in the department. The Audiology Clinic delivers a full range of audiologic services to over 4,000 patients yearly. Services include standard audiometric evaluations, auditory evoked potentials, ototoxic drug monitoring, intraoperative auditory monitoring, cochlear implants, and hearing aid dispensing. The clinic also provides auditory brainstem response screening to patients in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit. The Cochlear Implant Center serves the 20-40 patients who are implanted yearly by our staff and provides subjects for the cochlear implant research program. The Temporal Bone Laboratory is used for teaching surgical dissection and for examining human tissue. The Otopathology Laboratory possesses equipment and personnel to process human and animal temporal bone specimens, and it maintains a collection of over 1,700 normal and pathological human temporal bones. The Electron Microscopy Laboratory is equipped for ultrastructural studies of cochlear and middle-ear tissue and has a JEOL 1010 transmission electron microscope as its focal point. The Photographic Laboratory provides investigators with an extensive inventory of photographic equipment covering a full range of services from photomicrography to macrophotography.

University Facilities

Several facilities at the University of Minnesota have resources that all qualified investigators may use. One of these is the Biomedical Image Processing Laboratory, an NIH/NSF-funded, state-of-the-art computer facility for digital imaging and confocal microscopy. Another is the Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, which develops and applies new magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy techniques, and is recognized as a pioneer in high-magnetic-field imaging and brain mapping. Its shared resources include 4-, 4.7- and 9.4-Tesla MRI instruments for humans and animals. The Positron Emission Tomography facility has a cyclotron, 3 fully-equipped radiochemistry laboratories, and numerous imaging workstations. The University of Minnesota Cancer Center is a 250-member organization drawn from various departments to conduct multi-disciplinary cancer-related research and provide education, patient care and outreach services. The center is an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Research programs utilize an extensive amount of shared equipment, and they include work on cancer genetics and etiology, cell biology and metastasis, immunology, and transplant biology. The Transgenic Facility has created over 300 different genetic strains to date. The Institute for Human Genetics is an assemblage of basic-science laboratories that share an extensive equipment inventory for genetic studies. The Minnesota Supercomputer Institute has 3 Cray supercomputers, a Thinking Machine massively-parallel computer, and several graphics workstations available for research use.

Environment

The University of Minnesota ranks among the top five public research institutions in the U.S. The Dept. of Otolaryngology is the highest-ranked department in the Medical School and is one of the largest in the country. Research is a highly valued component of the Department's activities, and the Otolaryngology residency program is one of only a few that offer MS and PhD degrees. Nearly all residents obtain one of these degrees, and 38% of graduates are currently employed in academic settings. The Department offers a comprehensive set of seminars and courses, and it takes pride in maintaining a collegial, collaborative atmosphere.

Minneapolis-St. Paul is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the U.S. It is highly regarded for cultural events, and it consistently ranks among the top cities in quality of life. The cost of living is near the national average. Numerous lakes lie within and around the city, and recreational opportunities are outstanding.

Questions or Requests for Further Information

Contact either of the following people:

Eric Javel, PhD
Department of Otolaryngology
209 Lions Research Building
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN 55455
(612) 624-6503
javel001@tc.umn.edu		 John H. Anderson, MD, PhD
Department of Otolaryngology
Box 396 Mayo Bldg.
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN 55455
(612) 625-0685
anders00@tc.umn.edu

Up to Otolaryngology Home Page

Updated: April 21, 2000 by Faith Courchane and John H. Anderson, MD, PhD   (University of Minnesota)
URL: http://www.med.umn.edu/otol/postdoc/descrip.htm (Postdoctoral Research Training in Otolaryngology)