Nicholas R. Rowan

Nicholas R. Rowan, MD is an Associate Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Neurological Surgery at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He serves as Clinic Director of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at Johns Hopkins Health Care & Surgery Center and Associate Director of the Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia Center of Excellence.

His medical training includes an MD from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (2012), residency at UPMC-University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (2017), and fellowship at Medical University of South Carolina (2018).

• Rutgers New Jersey Medical School: MD (2012)
• UPMC-University of Pittsburgh: Residency in Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (2017)
• Medical University of South Carolina: Fellowship in Rhinology and Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery (2018)

Dr. Rowan's research centers on chronic rhinosinusitis, smell disorders, and skull base surgery. He investigates how olfactory dysfunction serves as an early biomarker for unhealthy aging, cognitive decline, and frailty, exploring the biological links between nasal health and systemic well-being. His work emphasizes patient-reported quality of life outcomes and translational applications.

His scientific contributions include:

• Castle Connolly Top Doctor (2024, 2025)
• Baltimore Magazine Top Doctor (2022-current)
• George T. Nager M.D. Teaching Award (2022)

As principal investigator, Dr. Rowan leads multiple clinical trials for novel sinusitis therapies and collaborates with biomedical engineers on diagnostic technologies. He directs the Rowan Lab focused on smell-related outcomes research and serves as a key investigator in the Comprehensive Brain Tumor Center and Skull Base Tumor Center.