Dr. Bradley Welling’s clinical and research interests focus primarily on NF2-associated vestibular schwannomas and the hearing loss, disequilibrium and facial paralysis that may result from the disease.

In 1996, Dr. Welling and his collaborators published the promoter of the NF2 gene and documented genotype-phenotype correlations. This work was awarded the Edmund Prince Fowler Award from The Triological Society for the best basic science thesis. Later work using cDNA microarray analysis to identify involved pathways in tumor formation was awarded the Nicholas Torok Award from the American Neurotologic Society.

In conjunction with these studies, Dr. Welling leads five targeted clinical trials for NF2-related tumors based upon his in vitro work and the work of many others.

Additional research interests for Dr. Welling include the use of regenerative growth factors for the promotion of healing of tympanic membrane (TM) perforations, as well as the use of virtual simulation in otologic surgery training.

The utility of regenerative growth factors in healing TM perforations has been shown in vivo. If found to be successful, the approach could offer an alternative to surgical repair (and greatly reduce associated cost and surgical morbidity). Dr. Welling’s work in the area of otologic surgery training has led to a validated model for temporal bone dissection.