Susan Thibeault

Focus Groups

Immunology/Immunopathology

Education

BS Biology, University of Western Ontario

MS Communication Disorders, State University of New York

PhD Communication Disorders, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Research Summary

Dr. Thibeault is the Vice Chair of Research in the Department of Surgery. Her NIDCD funded research efforts are primarily in the areas of vocal fold mucosa biology encompassing regenerative medicine, immunology and development. Broadly, Dr. Thibeault’s  research program focuses broadly on further understanding the biological mechanisms of the extracellular matrix of the vocal folds, specifically related to inflammation, fibrosis and scarring in the larynx.

Research Detail

Specifically, my research has focused on translational and clinical investigations of laryngeal disorders to characterize critical aspects of dysregulated extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition since 2001.  I have multiple areas of focus in my research laboratory.  The first being tissue regeneration and immunology of the vocal fold lamina propria as it relates to vocal fold scarring. This work involves characterizing cells which may be utilized for cellular therapy and these include – epithelial cells, fibroblasts, adult stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells.  We use these cells to develop in vitro models for translational investigation. Further, we have spent considerable time characterizing the microbiome in the larynx in health and disease.  We have consideration experience related to the use of small animal models of the larynx and vocal fold wound healing – lamina propria and epithelial. We have considerable experience with mouse models – knockout and transgenic; we utilize the mouse models to interrogate developmental processes of the larynx and upper airway.

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