Our Team
Ryan Carey, MD
Principal Investigator
Ryan Carey, MD is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at the University of Pennsylvania who specializes in head and neck oncology and microvascular reconstructive surgery. Dr. Carey completed his Bachelor of Science in bioengineering, medical degree, and otorhinolaryngology residency training at Penn. He subsequently completed a head and neck surgery fellowship at the University of Miami which included extensive training in robotic surgery and microvascular free flaps. As a surgeon-scientist, Dr. Carey is dedicated to caring for patients with head and neck cancer while advancing the field through translational research.
Brianna Hill, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow (2024-present)
Focus: Taste receptors in head and neck tumor immunology
Sarah Sywanycz, BS
Research Specialist (2023-present)
Focus: Taste receptors in head and neck cancer cell physiology
Robert D Wardlow, MD, PhD
Penn ENT Resident Researcher (2024-present)
Focus: Salivary gland cancer taste receptor pathways
Nabil Darwich, MD, PhD
Penn ENT Resident Researcher (2024-present)
Focus: Protein homeostasis in T2R14-mediated apoptosis of squamous cell carcinoma
Kimberly Wei, BS
Penn Med Student Researcher (2023-present)
Focus: Bitter taste receptors in thyroid cancer
Gavin Turner, BS
Penn Med Student Researcher (2024-present)
Focus: Nitric oxide signaling in head and neck cancer
