We are delighted to share that Dylan Chan, MD, PhD, has been appointed Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS) at UCSF.
A Physician-Scientist's Journey
Dr. Chan earned his BS/MS in Molecular Biology and Biophysics (with a second concentration in Music) from Yale University in 1999, followed by a PhD in Sensory Neuroscience from The Rockefeller University in 2006 and an MD from Weill Cornell Medical College in 2007. He completed his Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery residency at Stanford University in 2012 and a Pediatric Otolaryngology fellowship at Seattle Children's Hospital in 2013, before joining UCSF, where he is full Professor.
A Career Bridging Bench and Bedside
Dr. Chan is known to all for his outstanding clinical expertise in Pediatric Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, combined with his excellence as both a clinical scientist and a bench researcher. His lab investigates the pathophysiology and genetics of hearing loss, using live imaging of cochlear function and physiology to understand how calcium dysregulation and stress pathways affect the survival of sensory hair cells. This work identifies molecular targets for treating noise- and cisplatin-induced hearing loss and advancing gene therapy for hearing restoration. His research productivity includes 88 publications cited more than 2,400 times.
He also brings deep experience in translating research into patient care as Director of the UCSF Children's Communication Center, which coordinates diagnostic and therapeutic care, community outreach, and clinical and translational research for children with hearing and voice disorders across Northern California.
A Mentor at Heart
As department chair Andrew Murr, MD, shared in his announcement: "What Dylan is really known for is mentorship. He has enabled and supported many in their quest to become investigators and to become otolaryngologists." In his new role, Dylan will be able to continue and expand that inspiration for the next generation of OHNS researchers and clinicians.
Dr. Murr took a moment to thank Dan Johnson, PhD, who "did a fabulous job in the role of Vice Chair" before his recent retirement, for his years of leadership and mentorship in the position Dylan now takes on.
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Dylan Chan to his new role as Vice Chair for Research!
