Aaron D. Tward

Aaron D. Tward, M.D., Ph.D., is a board-certified, fellowship-trained surgeon and physician-scientist at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine, specializing in disorders of the ear and skull base. His clinical expertise encompasses cochlear implantation, management of benign and malignant skull base tumors (including acoustic neuroma), chronic otitis media surgery, stapedectomy, superior semi-circular canal dehiscence repair, and endoscopic ear and skull base procedures. Appointed as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, he maintains an active surgical practice while leading translational research initiatives.

• Education: B.S. and M.A. in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics from UCLA (1999), Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from UCSF School of Medicine (2005), M.D. from UCSF School of Medicine (2007), and General Surgery Internship at Harvard Medical School/Brigham and Women's Hospital (2008).

Dr. Tward's research program integrates tumor biology, cancer genomics, and clinical outcomes to advance understanding of head and neck disorders. His work spans molecular oncology (particularly squamous cell carcinoma genomics), regenerative processes in the tympanic membrane, cochlear implant technology development, and microbiome analysis in oral dysplasia. The laboratory employs single-cell analysis, genome engineering of keratinocytes, and translational models to identify therapeutic targets and improve surgical interventions for ear and skull base pathologies. His publications consistently bridge basic science discoveries with clinical applications in otolaryngology.

Analysis of Dr. Tward's 15 most recent publications (2021-2024) reveals three dominant research trajectories: (1) head and neck cancer genomics focusing on oncogenic drivers in squamous cell carcinoma, (2) regenerative mechanisms in tympanic membrane healing using murine models, and (3) cochlear implant technology optimization through auditory performance platforms. These areas demonstrate his commitment to translational research that addresses unmet clinical needs in otology and skull base surgery, with strong emphasis on molecular diagnostics and therapeutic innovation.

• National Merit Scholar (1995)
• UCLA Regents Scholar (1995)
• UCLA Stone Prize for Excellence in First Year Chemistry (1996)
• Departmental Scholar - UCLA Dept. of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics (1997)
• Medical Scientist Training Program (1999)
• Student Delegate, Academy of Achievement (2006)
• Alpha Omega Alpha (2006)
• UCSF Medical School Homecoming Speaker (2007)
• J. P. Harris Award for Excellence in Resident Research, Harvard Otolaryngology Residency Program (2012)

Dr. Tward actively mentors medical students, residents, and postdoctoral researchers through collaborative projects in his laboratory, with trainees frequently co-authoring publications in high-impact journals. His research program is supported by institutional funding from UCSF and competitive national grants focused on head and neck cancer genomics and regenerative otology, though specific grant details are not publicly enumerated. He maintains strong interdisciplinary collaborations with the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Institute for Human Genetics, and the Department of Bioengineering.

The Tward Laboratory operates within UCSF's state-of-the-art research facilities, utilizing single-cell sequencing platforms, genome editing technologies (CRISPR), and translational models to investigate tumor evolution and regenerative pathways. His team includes molecular biologists, bioinformaticians, and clinical researchers working on projects ranging from squamous cell carcinoma driver identification to cochlear implant algorithm development. Current initiatives focus on developing novel cell therapies for hearing restoration and precision medicine approaches for skull base tumors.