Molly Heft Neal
Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
[email protected]

Available to mentor

Molly Heft Neal
Clinical Assistant Professor
  • About
  • Qualifications
  • Research Overview
  • Recent Publications
  • About

    My clinical interests include the complex set of head and neck cancers comprised of HPV mediated
    oropharyngeal tumors, HPV negative tumors of the oropharynx, oral cavity, hypopharynx, and larynx as
    well as salivary gland tumors, sinonasal tumors and advanced cutaneous malignancies. I also specialize
    in robotic surgery for oropharyngeal tumors and in reconstructive surgery to restore form and function for
    patients undergoing cancer treatment.

    Qualifications
    • Resident Physician
      University of Michigan Medical School, Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, 2022
    • T32 Research Fellowship
      University of Michigan–Ann Arbor, Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, 2020
    • Fellowship
      Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, Head and Neck Surgery- Microvascular Reconstruction
    • MD
      University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, 2016
    • BS
      Stanford University, Stanford, 2011
    Research Overview

    My research interests focus on translational questions in head and neck oncology. Specific areas of focus
    include understanding the how hypoxia drives radiation and chemoradiation failure in HPV-mediated
    oropharyngeal tumors and predictors of failure in larynx cancer in patients undergoing organ preserving
    therapy. Utilizing novel techniques including liquid biopsies and single cell sequencing, our group is
    striving to better understand the tumor microenvironment, tumor mutational signatures, and immune
    landscape that predict treatment failure. From a clinical perspective my research focuses on outcomes of
    HPV-mediated treatments in the setting of ongoing de-escalation trials to improve predictions of functional
    outcomes such as speech and swallowing after treatment.

    Recent Publications See All Publications
    • Journal Article
      Use of the spider limb positioner for fibular free flap reconstruction of head and neck bony defects.
      Smith JD, Sridharan SS, Contrera KJ, Richmon JD, Feng AL, Chinn SB, Heft-Neal ME, Spector ME. Oral Oncol, 2024 Mar 22; 152: 106757 DOI:10.1016/j.oraloncology.2024.106757
      PMID: 38520757
    • Journal Article
      Upfront neck dissection for treatment selection and improvement in quality of life as a novel treatment paradigm for deintensification in HPV+ OPSCC.
      Swiecicki PL, Bellile E, Dragovic AF, McHugh J, Udager A, Mierzwa ML, Shah J, Heft Neal M, Rosko A, Malloy KM, Casper K, Chinn SB, Shuman AG, Stucken C, Chepeha DB, Wolf GT, Bradford CR, Eisbruch A, Prince MEP, Worden FP, Spector ME. Clin Cancer Res, 2024 Mar 22; DOI:10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-23-3247
      PMID: 38517480