معرفی
Kristal Mills Riska is an Associate Professor in the Department of Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences at Duke University School of Medicine. Her academic journey began with a B.S. from Appalachian State University in 2005, followed by an Au.D./Ph.D. from East Carolina University in 2011. She has progressed through the academic ranks at Duke, starting as a Medical Instructor in 2017, then Assistant Professor from 2018-2023, and currently serving as Associate Professor since 2025. She also serves as the Director of Residency Research for her department.
Dr. Riska's research program focuses on improving the diagnosis and management of dizziness, falls, and vestibular disorders. Her work centers on three strategic areas: improving identification of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) in primary care settings, characterizing vestibular function in post-concussive/mild traumatic brain injury related dizziness, and understanding the mechanisms between falls and hearing loss to develop interventions that reduce falls risk in hearing-impaired populations. Her research integrates clinical practice with scientific investigation to address significant healthcare challenges affecting patient outcomes.
Analysis of Dr. Riska's recent publications reveals a strong focus on the intersection of vestibular disorders, hearing loss, and patient outcomes. Her work spans multiple populations including veterans with traumatic brain injury, elderly patients at risk of falls, and children with hearing impairments. She employs diverse methodologies including systematic reviews, clinical trials, and large-scale epidemiological studies. Her research has significant implications for clinical practice guidelines, particularly in primary care settings where early identification of vestibular disorders can lead to more effective interventions.
Dr. Riska has secured substantial research funding, including:
- "Identifying mechanisms between hearing loss and falls" (2023-2028) from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
- "Otolaryngology Surgeon-Scientist career Path (OSSP) program" (2022-2027) from the National Institutes of Health
- "Falls Related Injuries and Hearing Loss: Understanding the role of hearing healthcare intervention" (2021-2024) from the National Institutes of Health
She is actively involved in professional organizations including the American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) and has collaborated with Otolith Labs. Dr. Riska has also led initiatives such as the Bass Connections Team on "Impact of Face Covering on Patient Communication and Health Outcomes" (2020-2021), demonstrating her responsiveness to contemporary healthcare challenges like those posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
