Jerome R. Lechien is head and professor of general surgery at the University of Mons. He is otolaryngologist with fellowship in laryngology and robotic head and neck surgery.

Associate Professor Jacqueline Allen is a Laryngologist practicing in Auckland, New Zealand.  A graduate of the University of Auckland, Dr Allen undertook Fellowship training at the Voice and Swallow Centre, University of California, Davis where she specialized in Voice and Dysphagia utilizing modern in-office techniques, endoscopy and laser surgery.  She returned to New Zealand in 2010 and established the Auckland Voice and Swallow Centre, and the Swallowing Research Lab at University of Auckland where these techniques have been put to use.  Research interests include neurogenic dysphagia, swallowing and nutrition across the lifespan, vocal fold scar translational research (in which she has completed a doctoral degree), reflux disease and novel engineering modelling for swallow dysfunction. Dr Allen is Past President of Dysphagia Research Society, a Member of the American Bronchoesophagological Association, American Laryngological Association and Laryngology Society of Australasia and is Section Editor of Current Opinion in Otolaryngology, European Archives of Otorhinolaryngology and Annals of Rhinology, Otology and Laryngology. 

Nikki Johnston, Ph.D.

Professor

of Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences

(Division of Laryngology and Professional Voice and Pediatric Otolaryngology)

and Microbiology and Immunology

Director of Airway, Digestive and Voice Research

Medical College of Wisconsin

Milwaukee, WI 53226

Tel: (414) 955-4075

Email: [email protected]

My research laboratory is:

1) Using pepsin as a diagnostic biomarker for reflux and aspiration

2) Investigating the role of pepsin in reflux-attributed inflammatory and neoplastic disease

3) Leading a multi-disciplinary drug discovery program to develop a therapeutic for reflux disease which specifically targets pepsin.

4) Serving as one of 25 international Pilot Centers for the World Organization for Specialized Studies on Diseases of the Esophagus - Stanford Esophageal Multidisciplinary Program in Innovative Research Excellence (OESO-SEMPIRE). 

I have been invited to present our research as a keynote speaker at national and international scientific and clinical conferences, directed international conferences on extra-esophageal reflux: diagnosis and treatment, edited books on this subject and contributed multiple chapters to others’ textbooks. 

I recently incorporated a new company, N-Zyme Biomedical.  I am a co-founder and the Chief Scientific Officer of N-Zyme Biomedical which has exclusively licensed three patents from the Medical College of Wisconsin: PCT/US2021/027758, Aerosolized formulations of HIV protease inhibitors for the treatment of airway reflux; PCT/US2023/071204, Sustained-release oral fosamprenavir for the treatment of reflux; and PCT/US2021/027758, Methods and compositions for treatment of peptic ulcers and/or peptic ulcer disease. Venture Capital investment in N-Zyme is funding a phase II clinical trial to assess the efficacy of a new sustained-release oral/systemic formulation of fosamprenavir sodium alginate for the treatment of laryngopharyngeal reflux.   Good Lab Practice (GLP) inhalation toxicology studies for a fosamprenavir dry powder inhaler (DPI) for local delivery of fosamprenavir direct to the throat are also underway, funded by a Falk Medical Trust Transformative Award.  These data will support an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for a phase I clinical trial of a fosamprenavir DPI.

More information about my research program can be found here: https://www.mcw.edu/departments/ent-Ear-Nose-Throat/research/pepsin-and-reflux-laboratory

Dr. Thomas Carroll is a surgeon at Brigham and Women’s Hospital specializing in laryngology with special interests in care of the professional voice, chronic cough and glottic insufficiency.  He completed his fellowship in laryngology and care of the professional voice at the University of Pittsburgh Voice Center.  He is an Associate Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Harvard Medical School. Since 2014 he has served as the Director of the BWH Program for Voice, Swallowing and Upper Airway Health.  Dr. Carroll is a graduate of Oberlin College with a degree in Music.