Medical student chosen for national research opportunity

Elias Asmar is heading to Columbus this summer for an Otolaryngology Summer Research Program at the Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

“Only one student is selected nationally each year, and this year, I was honored to receive that opportunity,” the rising second-year medical student noted.

Asmar will work under the guidance of Apoorva Ramaswamy, M.D. He will study laryngology and swallowing dysfunction in patients with head and neck cancer. In addition to research, he will be involved in clinical experiences alongside ENT residents and attending physicians and will work directly with patients enrolled in ongoing clinical studies.

“I discovered and applied to this program while actively searching for summer research opportunities,” said Asmar. “I was fortunate to be accepted, as there are very few structured research experiences in otolaryngology – head and neck surgery available to medical students.”

Asmar says otolaryngology is a strong career interest.

“I’m drawn to the complexity of the field and the unique combination of surgical and clinical care it offers,” he said. “Otolaryngologists significantly impact their patients’ quality of life, and that is the kind of meaningful work I hope to pursue.”

He also plans to continue to explore research opportunities.

“Research has been an important part of my academic journey. During my undergraduate studies, I was involved in extensive bench research, and I now look forward to expanding into clinical research with direct patient applications,” Asmar noted.

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