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The Voices of Otolaryngology with Rahul K. Shah, MD, MBA, podcast series is here to bring you exciting conversations and fresh perspectives from the individuals who comprise the depth and breadth of the specialty. Hosted by AAO-HNS/F EVP/CEO Rahul K. Shah, MD, MBA, this dynamic series takes a deep dive into the stories, goals, and innovations that are both impacting the current state of affairs in the house of medicine as well as shaping the future of the global otolaryngology community.
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  2. Smell Loss, Science, and the Road to a Cure

Smell Loss, Science, and the Road to a Cure

Mar 17, 2026

Zara M. Patel, MD, Professor of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at Stanford Medicine and Director of the Stanford Initiative to Cure Smell and Taste Loss, discusses her pursuit of a cure for olfactory dysfunction, the science behind smell recovery, and the research milestones that have redefined what is possible for patients with smell and taste loss. Dr. Patel reflects on her cross-country training journey, the curiosity-driven path that led her into an underexplored corner of the specialty, and how olfactory training and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections went from novel ideas to evidence-based treatments. The conversation also covers the biology of olfactory nerve regeneration, the importance of mentorship in building an academic career, and the expanding frontier of neuro-rhinology. This episode is featured as part of celebrating WIO Day every March 8.

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