09-11, 08:30–10:00 (Europe/Istanbul), Young IFOS 2
Axel Wolf is a medical professional in ENT with a focus on surgery of the nose and paransal sinuses.He received his medical education at the Medical University Vienna and at the Medical University Graz.His impact is evident in over 70 PubMed-listed publications and more than 300 national and international presentations.
Dr. Leigh J. Sowerby, MD, MHM, FRCSC is an academic otolaryngologist and the Division Chief of Rhinology and Anterior Skull Base Surgery at Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. He is an Associate Professor with cross-appointments in Otolaryngology, Clinical Neurological Sciences, Medicine (Allergy), and Ophthalmology. A graduate of the University of Calgary (MD) and the University of Western Ontario (FRCSC), Dr. Sowerby completed advanced fellowship training in Rhinology and Skull Base Surgery at the University of Alberta and holds a Master’s in Health Management from McMaster University.
Dr. Sowerby is a leading Canadian expert in chronic rhinosinusitis, nasal obstruction, septorhinoplasty, olfaction, and anterior skull base surgery. He has served as principal or co-investigator on more than 10 phase III clinical trials and multiple federally funded research initiatives including CIHR, NIH, and CFI grants. His work focuses on therapeutic innovations, surgical outcomes, health economics, and care optimization. He has authored or co-authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications. In addition to his clinical and academic roles, he is a recognized innovator in surgical efficiency and outpatient care redesign, committed to advancing evidence-based, patient-centered otolaryngology care in Canada and internationally.
Dr. Sowerby is also known for his leadership in anosmia and parosmia awareness, frequently contributing to national media and patient advocacy initiatives during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. An active educator, he is a past recipient of multiple teaching awards and has led medical outreach and training programs in Guyana.
Dr Haissan Iftikhar is a triple fellowship and triple board-certified rhinologist and a skull base surgeon. He graduated from the Aga Khan University residency program in 2019, following which he completed a one-year fellowship in Head and neck surgery. Following his second graduation, he went on to work as an Assistant Professor of ENT in Islamabad before moving on to pursue his fellowship in Skull base surgery at the University Hospitals Birmingham. He spent two years in his fellowship during which he undertook numerous independent procedures, including transsphenoidal pituitary surgery. He has a Master’s degree in Epidemiology and Biostatistics and is an Academic surgeon. He has numerous publications in indexed peer-reviewed journals and book chapters to his name. He is an invited speaker at various international conferences and is a faculty member at sinus dissection courses in the UK. Haissan has recently developed an interest in improving outcomes in patients undergoing sinus surgery, on which he continues to publish high-impact academic publications.