Dr. Xiaoyang Hua Named a Neely National Clinician-Scientist Mentor
Clinician-scientist Xiaoyang Hua, MD, PhD, an associate professor in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, has been invited to join the Neely National Clinician-Scientist Mentorship Network. Members of the network, which is part of the Triological Society, are available to guide early career clinician-scientists, offering support in both clinical practice and research and fostering a collaborative environment that advances innovation and knowledge in otolaryngology. The network is named after John Gail Neely, MD, in recognition of his exceptional dedication to teaching; his influential research contributions, particularly in otology and neurotology; and his lasting impact on the careers of many physician-scientists.
“Clinician-scientists invest significant time and professional effort in scientific research, which requires a passion for advancing science and then applying it directly to patient care,” Dr. Hua says. “We’re here as mentors to advise, encourage, and lead new clinician-scientists in their chosen direction, providing guidance in grant writing, answering questions related to research, and in general supporting physicians who make this demanding but highly rewarding career choice.”
Dr. Hua, who joined UTHealth Houston in May 2024, is a dedicated surgeon-scientist specializing in diseases and surgical interventions of the nose, sinuses, and airway, including sleep medicine. He began his career at Tongji Medical University in China, where he earned his medical degrees and completed residency training in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. To advance his expertise, he pursued a research fellowship in airway immunology and physiology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and completed surgical training at the University of Iowa, including a surgical internship, research fellowship, and an additional residency in otolaryngology.
Dr. Hua’s clinical and research efforts focus on chronic inflammatory diseases of the head and neck, and his lab investigates the immune mechanisms underlying these conditions. He has secured significant funding from institutions, including the National Institutes of Health, Duke University, and the University of Iowa. He has authored numerous abstracts, articles, and presentations and regularly shares his expertise at national and international conferences.