Kai Zhao, PhD
Professor
Otolaryngology
Academic information
- Department: Otolaryngology
Research interests
- Nasal Function
- Nasal Obstruction
- Smell Loss
About
Biography
I am a professor in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, where I study how air flows through the nose and how this affects breathing and sense of smell. With a background in bioengineering, I work to better understand nasal function by combining engineering tools with medical research. My goal is to help develop better ways to diagnose and treat nasal obstruction and smell loss so patients can breathe more easily and improve their quality of life.
My research focuses on understanding how the nose moves air and how this airflow affects our ability to smell and breathe well. I use computer models, imaging tools, and real life measurements to study what happens inside the nose in both healthy people and those with nasal problems. My team is working on projects that look at how to diagnose nasal obstruction more accurately, improve nasal airflow without surgery, and help doctors plan better treatments using computer based tools. We also explore new ways to deliver medicine into the nose and study how training the sense of smell may help people recover from smell loss. All of this work aims to give patients more effective and personalized treatments for nasal and smell related conditions.
I have led and contributed to many research projects funded by the National Institutes of Health and other agencies. My work has helped shape new ideas in nasal airflow science, olfaction research, and treatment strategies for nasal obstruction. I remain committed to advancing research that helps patients breathe better and regain their sense of smell.
Credentials
Education
- PhD - Bioengineering
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- MSE - Bioengineering
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- BS - Biomedical engineering
- Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
Research
Research interests
- Nasal Function
- Nasal Obstruction
- Smell Loss
Current Research Support
Towards Universal Chemosensory Testing
Agency: NIH-NIDCD, 1R13DC021114
multi PIs: Valentina Parma, Kai Zhao, Mark Albers, Steven Munger
(4/1/2023-3/31/2025, direct cost: $40,000)
This project supports a new conference to be held on Nov 6-7 in Philadelphia to bring together scientists, clinicians, public health officials, patients and all other interested parties to identify opportunities and challenges for implementing routine chemosensory testing nationwide.
Short-term and long-term impact of COVID-19 on multiple sensory systems
Agency: NIH-NIDCD, R01 DC020737
PI: Kai Zhao
(2/1/2023-2/1/2028, 5 year total cost $2,597,150)
This research will extensively investigate and capture short-term and long-term COVID-associated multisensory dysfunctions spanning smell, taste, chemesthesis, hearing, and balance, their recovery, and their relationship with patients’ disease profiles, which will enable more comprehensive understanding to better support future patient care and recovery.
Novel treatment options for conductive olfactory losses & nasal obstruction symptoms
Agency: NIH-NIDCD, R01DC020302
PI: Kai Zhao
(9/27/2022-10/01/2027, 5 year total cost $1,968,750)
The proposed study aims to develop novel clinical tools to better evaluate and relieve patients’ nasal obstructive symptoms (including smell losses) and to enable patients and clinicians to make more informed, personalized decisions regarding treatment strategy.
Tissue-engineered trachea composites for long-segment airway replacement
NIH-NHLBI 1R01HL157039-01
PI: Tendy Chiang (7/16/2021 – 6/30/2026)
Role: subcontract PI
(10%, Annual total cost $122,042)
This proposal addresses the barriers of tracheal collapse and SAE regeneration with the introduction of composite Tissue Engineered Tracheal Grafts.
Completed Research Support
A confectionary-based screening tool for assessing chemosensory loss in COVID-19 patients
NIH RADx-rad COVID-19 Initiative 3R01DC016112-04S1
PI: Susan Travers
(12/21/2020 – 012/20/2022, total cost $305,085)
Role: Co-Investigator (20%) and 50% of a postdoc
The goals of this Emergency Competitive Revision are to develop (Aim 1) and deploy (Aim 2) a novel, objective, psychophysical smell and taste screening test based on hard candy to detect the onset of COVID 19 in at-risk populations.
Noninvasive Nasal Aid to Improve Nasal Obstruction Symptoms
Agency: Ohio State Dept. of Education, Accelerator Awards
PI: Kai Zhao
(01/01/2020-12/31/2022, total direct cost $150,000)
This project aims to develop and refine a novel nasal aid to relieve nasal obstruction symptoms.
Sinonasal Visualization and Quantification of the Effect of Oxymetazoline Nasal Spray
Agency: Bayer, Inc.
PI: Kai Zhao
(1 year total cost $120,000)
To understand the effect of oxymetazoline nasal spray on nasal turbinates and nasal airway morphology, its impact on nasal aerodynamics and indication to guide surgery decision.
Optimizing surgical outcomes to olfactory losses through endoscopic sinus surgery simulator
Agency: NIH-NIDCD R21 DC017530
PI: Kai Zhao
3/01/2019-3/1/2022, total direct cost $275,000)
This project proposed to develop and validate a virtual endoscopic sinus surgery simulator to simulate, predict, and optimize surgical approaches on air/odor flow to the olfactory fossa that may improve clinical practice and offer personalized medicine in the future.
RELIEVA TRACT Balloon Dilation System: Preclinical Study
Agency: Acclarent, Inc,.
PI: Alexander Farag
(10/23/2019-6/30/2021, Total cost $95,222)
Role: Co-Investigator
Objective evaluation of conductive olfactory losses & nasal obstruction symptoms
Agency: NIH-NIDCD, R01 DC013626
PI: Kai Zhao
(12/01/2014-11/31/2019, 4 year total cost $1,523,000)
This project aims to objectively evaluate the conductive mechanisms contributing to nasal obstruction symptoms, including smell losses, by combining novel computational models with existing sensory measurements.
Relieve nasal obstruction symptoms through modulation of airflow via a novel nasal plug
Agency: Ohio Dept. of Higher Education, Ohio ICorp program
PI: Kai Zhao
(4/1/2019-9/30/2019, $15,000)
A Prospective, Non-Randomized Study to Evaluate Treatment Outcome of Nasal Airway Obstruction Using the Aerin Medical Vivaer Stylus
Agency: Industry Sponsor
Otto (PI) (5/19/17-5/19/19)
Budget: $192,250.53
Role: Co-Investigator
Modulation of Olfactory Cilia (05/01/2012-04/30/2016)
Agency: NIH NIDCD, R01 DC011554
PI: Minghong Ma (Neuroscience, UPENN)
Subcontract PI: Kai Zhao (20%)
This project investigates modulation of the structure and function of olfactory cilia, by the stimulus input properties in the nasal cavity
VOC Odor Signature Modeling for Portable Sensing Platforms (10/01/2013-04/30/2014)
Agency: US Air Force (SBIR FA8650-13-M-6448, phase I)
PI: Applied Nanotech, Inc.
Subcontract PI: Kai Zhao
($23,000, 6 months)
Airborne Human Odorants: detection, dispersion and characterization
US Air Force
PIs: George Preti, Kai Zhao
(total $130,000), 06/01/2011 – 08/31/2012.
The project uses computational and experimental approaches to simulate and detect the dispersion of human body odor after they are volatilized into the air phase to aid the design of a successful body odor detection system at stand-off distances.
Nasal airflow and odorant transport: a prerequisite for normal olfaction (12/01/2006- 12/01/2010)
Agency: NIH/NIDCD R03 DC008187-01
PI: Kai Zhao
(3 Yrs total direct cost $150,000)
This project uses computational fluid dynamic (CFD) modeling techniques to quantify the anatomy-dependent nasal airflow and odorant mucosal deposition patterns among healthy human subjects and to characterize their potential functional impact on human olfactory function.
The left-right asymmetry in Parkinson disease development (2011, 1 year)
Agency: private source
PI: Kai Zhao
$20,000 total cost
Nasal airflow and odorant transport in healthy adult domestic cat (10/01/2007-09/30/2008)
Industry funding: Mars, Inc. - Petcare.
PI: Kai Zhao
(total $104,000)
Occupational exposure, inflammatory process and chemosensory function (1/01/2005- 12/31/2010)
Agency: NIH/NIDCD P50 DC 006760
PI: Pamela Dalton
Role in this project: Co-investigator Using computational models to evaluate the degree to which occupational exposure-induced deviations in nasal airflow patterns are predictive of alternations in olfactory sensitivity.
Temporal integration in nasal lateralization (10/01/06-10/01/10)
Agency: NIH/NIEHS R03
Principal Investigator: Paul Wise
Role in this project: Consultant. To develop a mathematical model that characterizes the tradeoff between stimulus-duration and concentration in the detection of chemical irritation in the human nose based on transport of molecules through the mucosa.
Professional Experiences and Organizations
Ad hoc reviewer for NIH study section (BCHI), 2018
Ad hoc reviewer for NIH study section (BMIT-A), 2017, 2018
Ad hoc reviewer for NIH study section (Communication Disorders Review Committee), 2016
Ad hoc reviewer for NIH study section (ZDC1 X-61), 2016
Ad hoc reviewer for NIH study section (ZDC1 SRB-K(20)), 2015
Program committee for Beijing international meeting on research in taste and smell, 2009
Journal editorial board: Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing
Journal Reviewers
- General scientific journals: PNAS, Scientific Reports, Journal of the Royal Society Interface, Plos One.
- Neuroscience and Sensory Science journals: Neuroscience, Chemical Senses, Chemoperception, Journal of Experimental Biology, Anatomical Record, Attention Perception Psychophysics, Journal of Food Engineering, Physiology Behavior
- Clinical journals: Jama Facial plastic surgery, Laryngoscope, Otolaryngology Head&Neck surgery, American Journal of Rhinology, International Forum of Rhinology and Allergy, Clinical Otolaryngology, European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Acta Oto-laryngologica, Journal of Rhinology, Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology, Surgery Research and Practice, Orthodontics and Craniofacial Research, Current Medical Imaging Reviews, BMC medical research method, International Journal of Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery, Facial Plastic Surgery Aesthetic Medicine, Respiratory Physiology Neurobiology, World Journal of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
- Environmental Sciences: Inhalation Toxicology, Journal of Aerosol Science, Science of the Total Environment, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Journal of Hazardous Materials
- Computational and Engineering journals: Plos Comp. Biol., Medical Engineering & Physics, Medical & Biological Engineering & Computing, Journal of Biomechanical Engineering, Journal of biomechanics, Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, Computers in Biology and Medicine, Engineering computations, International Journal for Numerical Methods in Biomedical Engineering, Visual Computing for Industry Biomedicine and Art, Journal of Computational Science, IEEE Transactions on Medical Imaging, Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, International Journal of Nonlinear Sciences and Numerical Simulation (IJNSNS), Biomechanics and Modeling in Mechanobiology, Computational and Mathematical Methods in Medicine, Engineering Science and Technology an International Journal, Engineering computations
Memberships
Association for Chemoreception Sciences (AchemS), Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES), American Rhinological Society (ARS)
Awards and Honors
- 2004 Best Poster Presentation, 1st Place Award, American Rhinology Society annual meeting
- 2004 Frances Davidson Award for best oral presentation, American Academy of Otolaryngology-- Head and Neck Surgery, Pennsylvania annual meeting
- 2003 Feature Presentation, highlighted for press release, Association for chemoreception sciences (AchemS) annual meeting
- 2017 Dr. Chengyu Li, a postdoc fellow, was awarded the Association for Chemoreception Sciences (AchemS)
- 2017 Polak Young Investigator.
- 2019 2nd prize of ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) Flow Visualization Competition
- 2019 Dr. Zhenxing Wu, a postdoc fellow, was awarded the AchemS 2019 Polak Young Investigator.
- 2023 Top rated clinical oral presentations, American Rhinologic Society Annual meeting