Nicole Li-Jessen, Ph.D.

Prof. Li-Jessen’s laboratory integrates in vitro, in vivo and in silico (computational) approaches to study vocal fold biology and wound healing. The research goal is to generate a computational platform that can guide surgeons and speech pathologists in the best methods to repair voices that have been lost. Current research projects focus on what cells and proteins drive the vocal fold injury and repair after surgical and vocal trauma, along with the roles of biomechanical stress in cellular and tissue adaptation. Li-Jessen's lab uses agent-based modeling to simulate patient-specific vocal trauma and repair response in computers. In addition, her work in collaboration with engineers and surgeons to develop non-invasive assessment of vocal fold pathology, wearable e-health devices for upper airway monitoring and create biomaterial for vocal fold reconstruction.