Research & Publications

OUR RESEARCH PROGRAM

Our research sits at the intersection of clinical rhinology and translational science. Every question we investigate originates in clinical practice — in the patients we see, the diseases we treat, and the gaps between what current evidence tells us and what our patients actually need. The group has published more than 300 peer-reviewed articles, books, and book chapters across three core research themes.

RESEARCH AT A GLANCE

300+

Peer-reviewed publications

66

H-index

Top 2%

Scientists worldwide (Stanford)

7 years

Years ranked top Australian otolaryngology researcher
FIND OUR RESEARCH

Research Profiles & Databases

OUR RESEARCH THEMES

Three core themes — each originating in clinical practice and generating evidence that shapes how rhinologic disease is understood and treated internationally.

Chronic rhinosinusitis is not a single disease — and treating it as one has been one of the field’s most persistent problems. Our research defines the immunological and clinical subtypes that determine how patients present, progress, and respond to treatment. Current work spans type 2 and eosinophilic inflammation, phenotype and endotype characterisation, biologic therapy assessment including dupilumab and mepolizumab, responder and non-responder identification, biomarker development, and the concept of clinical remission in CRS. We contributed to EPOS 2012 and 2020

Nasal obstruction is among the most common complaints in medicine, yet the relationship between objective measures of airflow, structural anatomy, and patient perception remains incompletely understood. Our research addresses this across the full spectrum — from rhinitis and inflammatory congestion to structural problems including nasal valve dysfunction and septal deviation. We develop and validate diagnostic measures of nasal function and evaluate surgical outcomes including turbinoplasty, septoplasty, rhinoplasty, and valve repair.

Our skull base program spans the full spectrum of anterior skull base and sinonasal neoplasia, with particular depth in pituitary neuroendocrine tumours. Research themes include genetic and molecular characterisation, prognostic biomarkers, outcomes of endoscopic skull base surgery, pituitary surgery outcomes, sinonasal morbidity associated with surgical approach, and multidisciplinary team care in pituitary neoplasia.

SELECTED GRANTS & FUNDING

The group has attracted competitive and industry research funding across its core themes. Total research funding exceeds $4M across the program’s history. Recent and significant grants include:


Sanofi Global Type 2 Pathways Scheme — Spatial mapping of dupilumab-induced molecular changes in nasal polyp eosinophilia and type 2 inflammation (2023, $1.47M over 3 years)
GSK — Australian Mepolizumab Registry for Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (2022, $880,000 over 2 years)
GSK — GeoMx high-plex spatial profiling to determine the mechanism of action for mepolizumab in refractory nasal polyposis (2020, $250,000)
Cancer Council NSW — Genetic stratification of tumours of the head, neck, pituitary, and skull base (2015, $360,000 over 3 years)
Medtronic — Educational training courses and rhinology tissue bank development (2011, $228,000)
Karl Storz — Establishment of endoscopic training facility (2010, $400,000)

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

A full publication list is available via Google Scholar and Scopus. Selected recent and landmark publications by theme are listed below.

Fokkens WJ, Lund VJ, Hopkins C et al. European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps 2020. Rhinology 2020.
Harvey RJ et al. Corticosteroid nasal irrigations are more effective than simple sprays in a randomised double-blinded placebo-controlled trial for chronic rhinosinusitis after sinus surgery. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol 2018.
Grayson JW, Hopkins C, Mori E, Senior B, Harvey RJ. Contemporary classification of chronic rhinosinusitis beyond polyps vs no polyps. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2020.
Walter S, Ho J, Alvarado R et al. Mepolizumab decreases tissue eosinophils while increasing type-2 cytokines in eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis. Clinical & Experimental Allergy 2022.
DelGaudio JM, Loftus PA, Hamizan AW, Harvey RJ, Wise SK. Central compartment atopic disease. Am J Rhinol Allergy 2017.

Mo S et al. Nasal peak inspiratory flow in healthy and obstructed patients: systematic review and meta-analysis. Laryngoscope 2021.
Kanjanawasee D et al. Empty nose syndrome pathophysiology: a systematic review. Otolaryngology — Head & Neck Surgery 2022.
Tjahjono R et al. Health impairment from nasal airway obstruction and changes in health utility values from septorhinoplasty. JAMA Facial Plast Surg 2019.
Barham HP et al. Long-term outcomes in medial flap inferior turbinoplasty are superior to submucosal electrocautery and submucosal powered turbinate reduction. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol 2016.

Harvey RJ et al. Closure of large skull base defects after endoscopic trans-nasal craniotomy. Journal of Neurosurgery 2009.
Harvey RJ et al. Survival outcomes for stage-matched endoscopic and open resection of olfactory neuroblastoma. Head & Neck 2017.
Stroud A et al. Outcomes of pituitary surgery for Cushing’s disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Pituitary 2020.
Lenders NF et al. Predictors of pituitary tumour behaviour: an analysis from long-term follow-up in 2 tertiary centres. Eur J Endocrinol 2023.
Harvey RJ et al. Endoscopic skull base surgery for sinonasal malignancy. Otolaryngol Clin North Am 2011.

Nose & Sinus on YouTube

Our YouTube channel is one of the most widely used free resources in rhinology — covering surgical techniques, clinical decision-making, disease management, and research updates. Used by surgeons, trainees, and researchers across the world. It is one of the most common ways that visiting observers first encounter our group’s work.

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