![Award for Khalil Issa, MD](/sites/default/files/styles/freeform_scaled/public/2024-05/khalil_issa_web.jpg?itok=W9Rn6Tb8)
Khalil Issa, MD presented his study entitled “Sinonasal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Outcomes: A National Cancer Database Analysis” and subsequently won the Best Research Paper award at the Heinz Stammberger Resident Research Competition during his attendance at the international meeting of the Middle East Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery.
His research, which was conducted under the supervision of Ralph Abi Hachem, MD, delved into the treatment outcomes for sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma and explored organ preservation therapies for managing nasal cavity squamous cell carcinoma. This project is part of a comprehensive research initiative conducted by the Division of Rhinology and Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery and the Duke Skull Base Center aiming to deepen understanding of these rare cancers.
The division is actively engaged in clinical trials investigating the role of HPV on sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma and the effectiveness of nurse navigators in accelerating adjuvant therapies to enhance overall patient survival as well as basic and translational projects focusing on targeted therapies for olfactory neuroblastoma and the development of laboratory models.