Aaron Tward

Aaron Tward, MD, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine. He specializes in disorders of the ear and skull base, with clinical expertise in cochlear implantation, acoustic neuroma management, and endoscopic skull base surgery. His research focuses on tumor biology, genomics of head/neck disorders, and hearing organ development, bridging clinical practice with laboratory investigations.

Education & Training

• B.S. & M.A. in Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, UCLA (1999)
• Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences, UCSF (2005)
• M.D., UCSF (2007)
• General Surgery Internship, Brigham and Women's Hospital (Harvard)
• Otolaryngology Residency, Harvard Medical School programs (Massachusetts Eye and Ear, etc.)
• Clinical Fellowship in Neurotology/Skull Base Surgery, Harvard
• Postdoctoral work at The Broad Institute (2007-2010)

Research Highlights

Dr. Tward's work spans translational research in:

• Genomic drivers of head/neck cancers (e.g., 11q13 amplification in squamous cell carcinoma)
• Regenerative mechanisms of ear tissues (tympanic membrane repair)
• Developmental biology of auditory organs
• Immune responses in vestibular schwannomas

Publications Overview

His 100+ publications emphasize tumor genomics, surgical outcomes, and regenerative medicine. Notable contributions include:

• Identification of oncogenic drivers in head/neck cancers
• Advances in cochlear implant technology evaluation
• Mechanisms of ear tissue regeneration

Professional Credentials

• Board-certified in Otolaryngology
• California Medical License

Lab & Collaborations

His lab integrates clinical surgery with genomic analyses, collaborating on projects involving:

• Single-cell profiling of tumors
• Stem cell therapies for ear repair
• Multimodal cancer profiling