About us
Neuroengineering Research Group
Since 1985, we have strived to study, research, and educate within the ever evolving field of neuroengineering focusing on the fundamentals and disorders of the auditory system.
Our commitment to help those affected from age related hearing loss has kept our team focused on innovative research related to drug delivery, gene and protein related modifications, modulations of hormone levels, neural mechanisms of age related hearing loss, and the influences of medical conditions on sensory processing.
Robert D. Frisina, Ph.D. - Bio
Professor: Medical Engineering, Chemical & Biological Engineering, and Communication Sciences & Disorders Depts.
Acting Chair – Medical Engineering Dept.
Director – Global Center for Hearing & Speech Research
Director – Biomedical Engineering at USF
Dr. Robert D. Frisina received his Ph.D. in Bioengineering and Neuroscience from Syracuse University’s College of Engineering. He pursued postdoctoral research as an NIH Fellow in Sensory Physiology and Biophysics at the University of Rochester (NY) Medical School. He is currently Professor and BME Director in the Medical Engineering and Chemical & Biomedical Engineering Depts. at the University of South Florida’s (USF) College of Engineering. He also serves as Director of the Global Center for Hearing & Speech Research. Previously, he was Professor of Otolaryngology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, and Biomedical Engineering, and Associate Chair of Otolaryngology at the University of Rochester Medical School for 2 decades. Dr. Frisina’s main research support is currently a Program Project Grant from NIH, entitled “The Aging Auditory System: Presbycusis and Its Neural Bases”; as well as two other NIH R01 grants on areas related to drug delivery and acquired hearing loss. Major themes of these lines of neuroengineering research are aimed at developing novel therapies for diagnosing, preventing, delaying or treating cases of environmentally or drug-induced hearing loss, and age-related hearing deficits. In addition, a newer project involves stimulating nerve and heart cells with laser light and gold nanoparticles.
Meet The Team People behind our success
Parveen Bazard, PhD
Post-Doctoral ResearcherPhysiological, Anatomical and Molecular Changes in Age-related Hearing Loss- ARHL; Intervention Strategies to Prevent or Treat ARHL
Tanika Williamson, PhD
Post-Doctoral ResearcherHormonal Changes and Modulations Impact on ARHL; Molecular and Anatomical Biomarkers of ARHL
Reza Amanipour, MS
Pre-Doctoral BME PhD StudentDrug Intervention to Prevent Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Joseph Dituri, MS
Pre-Doctoral BME PhD StudentDevelopment of Real-time CO2 Monitoring and Alert System for Divers and Medical Settings
Mark Bauer, MS
Pre-Doctoral BME PhD StudentBiomarker Changes in the Auditory System Following Age Changes and Interventions
Jennifer Pineros-Valenica
Pre-Doctoral BME PhD StudentGenetic and Molecular Underpinnings of Hormone Changes in Hearing
Core Disciplines
neuroengineeringMolecular & Neural Mechanisms
An additional study on age-related declines in voltage-gated K+ channels in the superior olivary complex of the auditory brainstem (SOC; Zettel et al. 2007), has contributed to the development of the first drug to treat ARHL that has made it to Phase 2 FDA clinical trials; and we (University of South Florida- Tampa) are serving as the lead test site on this multi-center, international drug trial.
biomedical engineeringThe Auditory System
Known as one of the most efficient and complicated engineering systems, the auditory system demands consistent attention throughout the medical engineering field. From sensory cells of the inner ear – cochlea, and parts of the brain to determining the neurochemical, genetic and protein expression changes that cause permanent hearing loss, our team strives to innovate for those affected by age related hearing loss and deafness.
neurosciencesDrug Delivery Systems
Extensive efforts are underway to develop biomedical interventions, including new medications or drug regimens to prevent or reverse permanent hearing loss. One approach is to understand the molecular pathways involved in normal organ of Corti development, including differential cell signaling and lineage fates, and then mimic or re-capitulate these developmental sequences to regenerate the organ of Corti in deaf patients, to restore hearing.
Core mission
The Frisina Laboratory Team is an interdisciplinary, collaborative group, which through its core disciplines of neuroengineering, biomedical engineering, and neurosciences enhances the University of South Florida's strategic initiatives in basic and clinical research, teaching/learning, scientific discovery, entrepeneurship and innovation, student success, mentoring at all levels, and community service.