Rosalinda Pieruzzini
Dra Rosalinda Pieruzzini is a general otolaryngologist with particular interest in rhinology and especially neurorhinology, focusing on the study of olfactory and gustatory disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. A graduate of the Otolaryngology residency program at the Dr. Carlos Arvelo Military Hospital in Caracas, Venezuela, she completed a fellowship in otology and neurotology at the García Ibáñez Institute in Barcelona, Spain, a fellowship in skull base and endoscopic surgery at the Legnano Civil Hospital in Milan, and training in human olfactory mucosa stem cell culture and cell regeneration at the Cell Therapy and Experimental Medicine Unit of the Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research. She remained a professor of rhinology and neuroanatomy at the Dr. Carlos Arvelo Military Hospital, serving as the Postgraduate Academic Coordinator for seven years, transforming the academic program from a hospital-based residency to a university postgraduate program. She created the Neurorhinology Unit at that institution. She developed the Venezuelan Smell and Taste Test for children and adults, which was widely used to diagnose patients with olfactory disorders associated with COVID-19 in her country. Due to the persistence of some olfactory and gustatory disorders in patients who had undergone olfactory training, she developed the Olfactory Rehabilitation Technique using Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence, receiving a National Award at the Venezuelan Congress of Otolaryngology for this contribution. She created the Advanced Course in Neurorhinology at the Central University of Venezuela and the Venezuelan Neurorhinology Foundation, which has trained several fellows in this subfield of rhinology, supporting them in scientific research. Among other distinctions and associations to which she belongs, she has been: Member of the Teaching Commission of the Venezuelan Society of Otolaryngology; and a full member of the Venezuelan Society of Otolaryngology. Member of the Board of Directors of the Latin American Society of Rhinology and Facial Plastic Surgery. Clinical Instructor for the Advanced Course in Rhinology and Facial Surgery at the Central University of Venezuela. Secretary and Treasurer of the Board of Directors of the Venezuelan Society of Rhinology and Facial Surgery. Founder of the Postgraduate Program in Otolaryngology at the "Dr. Miguel Angel Rangel" University Hospital, Coche Peripheral Hospital, Caracas, Venezuela, where she currently serves as Head of Service. Author of more than 10 international and 15 national publications in scientific journals and books in the specialty. Recipient of more than 20 academic awards for presentations of scientific work related to the specialty, obtained at national and international medical congresses. Professor of more than 20 national and 20 international courses in South Korea, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Chile, the Dominican Republic, and Colombia.