#  Three OHNS Residents Receive Prestigious CORE Grants 

 





June 27, 2025

 

 

 ![Headshot of CORE grant awardees](/sites/g/files/omnuum8391/files/2025-06/Combo-photos.jpg)

 

[Zachary A. Kons, MD,](https://oto.hms.harvard.edu/people/zachary-kons-md) [Hoang Bui Nguyen, MD, PhD,](https://oto.hms.harvard.edu/people/hoang-bui-nguyen-md-phd) and [Edward Sim, MD,](https://oto.hms.harvard.edu/people/edward-sim-md) three otolaryngology–head and neck surgery (OHNS) residents at Harvard Medical School, were recently awarded Centralized Otolaryngology Research Effort (CORE) grants by the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF).

CORE grants mark significant milestones for trainees pursuing academic research careers. Under their respective grants, Drs. Kons, Nguyen and Sim will each lead separate research projects under the mentorship of Harvard Medical School faculty.

Dr. Kons, mentored by [Aaron Remenschneider, MD, MPH, FACS,](https://www.childrenshospital.org/directory/aaron-remenschneider) will investigate a self-administered otic drop method for delivering sodium thiosulfate (STS) to prevent cisplatin-induced hearing loss. Using oil-infused, geometrically optimized tympanostomy tubes, he will evaluate drug delivery through in vitro testing and in vivo studies in a chinchilla model, with the goal of preserving hearing without compromising cisplatin’s antitumor efficacy.

Dr. Bui-Nguyen, under the guidance of [Derrick T. Lin, MD,](https://doctors.masseyeandear.org/details/26) will study the role of non-coding RNAs (oncRNAs) as prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). His research combines analysis of patient tumor and plasma samples with xenograft models to define oncogenic mechanisms driven by specific oncRNAs.

Dr. Sim, mentored by [Ravindra Uppaluri, MD, PhD,](https://physiciandirectory.brighamandwomens.org/details/13063/ravindra-uppaluri-otolaryngology_ears_nose_and_throat-boston) will use high-dimensional genomic analysis of HNSCC tumor samples from a phase 2 clinical trial of perioperative pembrolizumab to explore how tumor-associated myeloid cells contribute to immunotherapy resistance. He will validate these findings in high-fidelity murine models of anti-PD-1–resistant HNSCC.



 

 

 



 

 

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