a person looking through a microscope
Head & Neck Cancer Research

The Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery is committed to eradicating head and neck cancer through multidisciplinary research.

Our Head and Neck Oncology Program includes experts from 13 departments and five schools within the University of Michigan. Together this dedicated group conducts head and neck cancer research that includes basic, clinical, behavioral, population and translational research.

The major themes of the Head and Neck Oncology Program are to:

  • Identify mechanisms of carcinogenesis and progression
  • Determine the molecular biology of treatment response
  • Characterize the immunobiology of the tumor microenvironment to better modulate the immune system as a therapeutic modality
  • Characterize the role of cancer stem cells in tumor progression, invasion, metastasis and resistance to treatment
  • Define new treatment combinations based on laboratory and clinical studies that define new biomarkers for individualized therapies
  • Define organ preservation strategies in head and neck cancer
  • Develop and implement novel reconstruction and rehabilitation techniques for head and neck cancer patients
Our Team
headshot of Chad Brenner Chad J Brenner, PhD
Associate Professor of Pharmacology
Associate Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Thomas Carey Thomas E Carey, PhD
Distinguished Research Scientist Emeritus
Professor Emeritus of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Professor Emeritus of Pharmacology
labcoat Steven B Chinn, MD, MPH, FACS
Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Head and Neck Oncology Associate Fellowship Director
Norman D. Hogikyan Norman D Hogikyan, MD, FACS, HEC-C
Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Professor of Music, School of Music, Theatre & Dance
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Associate Chair
Laryngology Division Chief
profile-scott-mclean-2019 Scott Alan McLean, MD, PhD, FACS
Clinical Associate Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Jeff Moyer Jeffrey S Moyer, MD, MS, FACS
Shan R Baker M.D. Collegiate Professor of Facial and Reconstructive Surgery
Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Associate Chair
Ambulatory Care Clinical Chief
Facial Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship Director
Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Division Chief
Facial Cosmetic Surgery Center Medical Director
2019-Prince-Mark.jpeg Mark E P Prince, MD, FRCS(C), FACS
Charles J Krause M.D. Collegiate Professor of Otolaryngology
Chair, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Service Chief, Otolaryngology Adult Service
Gregory T. Wolf Gregory T Wolf, MD
Professor Emeritus of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery