The Thibeault lab examines the biological mechanisms of the extracellular matrix of the vocal folds, specifically related to inflammation, fibrosis and scarring in the larynx. Since 2001, our research has focused on translational and clinical investigations of laryngeal disorders to characterize critical aspects of dysregulated extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition.
JUMP TO
Specialty Areas
Tissue regeneration and immunology of the vocal fold lamina propria
Our work involves characterizing cells that may be used for cellular therapy, including epithelial cells, fibroblasts, adult stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells. We also work on characterizing the larynx microbiome in health and disease. We specialize in immunology of the vocal vocal fold lamina propria, as it relates to scarring and inflammation.
Larynx and vocal fold wound healing
We have extensive experience using small animal models of the larynx and vocal fold wound healing – lamina propria and epithelial. We use knockout and transgenic mouse models to interrogate developmental processes of the larynx and upper airway.
Funding
This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.
Microbial Modulation of Mucosal Wound Healing in the Larynx
1R21DC021012-01A1 (PI: An)
03/11/2024–03/10/2026
The overall goal of this work is to identify bacterial species associated with each stage of epithelial wound healing in the larynx and define the role of laryngeal microbiota in modulation of epithelial regeneration.
Investigating the Effects of Psychosocial Stress on the Laryngeal Microbiota and Epithelial Barrier Integrity
1F32DC021367-01A1 (PI: Venkatraman, Sponsor: Thibeault, Consultants: Dr. Federico Rey, Dr. Seth Pollak)
09/01/2023–06/01/2025
This fellowship will provide Dr. Venkatraman with training in essential skills in 16s RNA sequencing, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence, while significantly contributing to literature on the biological effects of psychosocial stress in the larynx.
Understanding Lrig1+ in Vocal Fold Epithelium and Organoid Biology
R01 – DC020734 (PI: Lungova, Thibeault)
07/01/2023–06/30/2028
The long-term goal of our research program is to provide insight into mechanisms that control laryngeal morphogenesis and postnatal VF mucosal maintenance and regeneration in response to environmental insults and injuries and to establish in vivo and in vitro models of human VF diseases.
Transcriptome Dynamics During Vocal Fold Injury and Repair
F31DC02113 (PI: Wendt, Sponsor: Thibeault)
02/01/2023–01/31/2025
This fellowship grant will provide Ms. Wendt with experience in single-cell and spatial transcriptomics while significantly contributing to current literature on vocal fold injury and repair.
Developmental Research Program
P50CA278595 (Thibeault, PI)
08/02/2016–07/31/2027
Engineering the Vocal Fold Extracellular Matrix
R01 DC004336 – 17 (Thibeault, PI)
04/01/2016–03/31/2026
The long-term goal is to engineer injectable products that induce tissue regeneration to treat vocal fold scarring and other ECM defects of the lamina propria.
Mechanisms of Innate Immune-Microbial Interactions in Vocal Fold Inflammation
R01DC12773 – 6 (Thibeault, PI)
05/01/2018–04/31/2023
The overall objective of this grant is to identify mechanism by which resident commensal or pathogen bacterial species are identified by vocal folds via specialized receptors and control tissue immune homeostasis while promoting immune responses.
University of Wisconsin Voice Research Training Program
T32 DC009401 (Thibeault, PI)
07/01/2018–04/31/2023
This training grant is to foster development of translational research skills in future leaders in the field of voice science.
Novel Therapeutic Interventions for Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease and Comorbid Dysphagia
K23 AG057805 (Rogus-Pulia, PI)
09/01/2018–05/31/2023
Role: Collaborator
Lab Staff
Susan Thibeault
Credentials: PhD, CCC-SLP
Position title: Vice Chair for Research; Diane M.Bless Endowed Chair and Professor; Voice Research Training Program Director (T32 DC9401)
Email:
susan.thibeault
Lab Alumni
This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.
PhD Students
Ted Lunga, MD, PhD
ENT Resident, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Iowa-Iowa City
Rebecca Bartlett, PhD, CCC-SLP
Assistant Professor, Northern Arizona University
Marie Jette, PhD, CCC-SLP
Assistant Professor, University of Colorado
Suzanne King, PhD, CCC-SLP
Assistant Professor, University of Louisville
Joel Gaston, PhD
R&D Group Leader, Fujiflm Cellular Dynamics, Madison WI
Vidisha Mohad, PhD, CCC-SLP
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Harvard MA
Renee King, PhD, CCC-SLP
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Wisconsin McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research
Alexander Foote, PhD, CCC-SLP
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of California-San Diego
Postdoctoral Research Fellows
Robert Fujiki, PhD, CCC-SLP
Assistant Professor, Indiana University Health, Indianapolis IN
Nicole Li Jenssen, PhD
Associate Professor, School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, McGill University, Montreal Quebec
Ciara Leydon, PhD, CCC-SLP
Professor, Communication Disorder, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield CT
Elizabeth Erickson-DiRenzo, PhD, CCC-SLP
Associate Professor, Stanford University, Stanford CA
Alissa Henshew, PhD
Environmental Health and Safety Supervisor, Penn State University
Anete Branco, PhD
MD Fellows
ByungJoo Lee, MD, PhD
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Pusan National University South Korea
Joo Hyun Woo, MD
Department of Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University, Incheon, Korea
Jeremy Guille, MD
Centre ORL Nivadour, Bayonne, France
Sara Rosen, MBChB
Otolaryngology Resident, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Department of Surgery
Daniel Robbins, MD
Resident, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine