Faculty

Gintas Krisciunas, PhD, MPH, MA

Research Assistant Professor

gintas@bu.edu

Dr. Krisciunas’s work is broadly focused on enhancing and measuring otolaryngology related clinical outcomes through collaborative, interdisciplinary, and often multi-institutional research.  His research program consists of three focus areas: 1) treatment efficacy & outcomes, 2) assessment / measurement, and 3) technological innovation.  These focus areas represent a multi-pronged approach aimed at enhancing clinical care within the field of otolaryngology.  During his tenure, Dr. Krisciunas has served as a PI, Co-I, or project manager on a number of NIH, PCORI, industry, and internally funded clinical research projects, and he is an active member of the BUMC IRB.  Outside of work, he serves on an advisory board at Freedom House, Inc. (a historic education & social justice non-profit), enjoys traveling, being outdoors, and most importantly spending time with his family.

Gregory A. Grillone, MD

M. Stuart Strong and Charles W. Vaughan Professor and Chair,

Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery

gregory.grillone@bmc.org

Dr. Grillone originally joined Boston University and Boston Medical Center as a resident in 1988. Having served the institutions as an accomplished leader, a highly skilled clinician and a mentor to many medical students, residents and fellows, Dr. Grillone is now the institutions’ Otolaryngologist-in-Chief. His areas of clinical expertise include laryngology and surgery of the upper aerodigestive tract, sleep surgery, laser surgery and head and neck cancer surgery. Dr. Grillone is the principal investigator of the lab’s studies related to early detection of head and neck cancer and margin guidance in head and neck tumor surgery using spectroscopy.

Lauren F. Tracy, MD

Assistant Professor

lauren.tracy@bmc.org

Dr. Tracy is an otolaryngologist at Boston Medical Center, specializing in voice, breathing, and swallowing concerns. Dr. Tracy received her medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine. She then completed her residency at the University of North Carolina Hospitals and her fellowship in laryngeal surgery with Dr. Steven Zeitels at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Tracy has research interests in diversity and health equity within laryngology and voice care, vocal hyperfunction, and recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. Dr. Tracy is the principal investigator of the lab’s studies related to ambulatory biofeedback for voice disorders. 

Staff

Lucas Berry, BS

Research Specialist II

lucas.berry@bmc.org

Lucas joined the lab as an undergraduate student in Fall 2020 while earning a BS degree in human physiology from Boston University. After graduating the following May, Lucas transitioned to a full-time role coordinating the lab’s spectroscopy studies. He eventually contributed to many of the lab’s ongoing studies in addition to training new lab staff and students. Lucas has since moved to a remote role where he supports ongoing research in the lab and department of otolaryngology. Outside of the lab, Lucas is a guitarist, record producer, and proud cat dad.

Gabriele Spokas, BS

Research Specialist II

gabriele.spokas@bmc.org

Gabriele joined the lab in June of 2023. She is the lead coordinator of the lab’s spectroscopy studies in addition to helping out with studies related to acute respiratory failure. Gabriele also has a research interest in head and neck cancer outcomes. Prior to joining the lab, Gabriele, a Pittsburgh native, received her Bachelor of Science degree in Rehabilitation Science from University of Pittsburgh and gained experience as a clinical research assistant at Boston University’s Framingham Heart Study.  Gabriele is very passionate about mental health as well as the the intersection between urban issues, public health, and languages. Outside of work, Gabriele loves to travel, go to concerts, attend comedy shows, and pick up new hobbies like pottery and thrifting. 

Devin Lucas, MS

Clinical Research Coordinator

devin.lucas@bmc.org

Devin joined the lab in September of 2023 to coordinate the lab’s acute respiratory failure studies at Boston Medical Center and spectroscopy study at Tufts Medical Center. Originally from Williamsburg, Virginia, Devin received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry and Spanish from University of Virginia, followed by a Master of Biomedical Sciences degree from Tufts University School of Medicine. Devin plans to continue her involvement in clinical research and eventually pursue medicine. When Devin isn’t rushing between hospital rooms to coordinate the lab’s studies, she enjoys running, baking, drawing, and taking her dog on adventures.

Grace Chow, BS

Clinical Research Coordinator

grace.chow@bmc.org

Grace joined the lab in November 2023 to coordinate the lab’s studies and trials related to monitoring and biofeedback of vocal function in patients with voice disorders. Prior to joining the lab, Grace completed her undergraduate degree at Duke University in May 2023. She plans to attend medical school in the future. Originally from Boulder, Colorado, Grace enjoys skiing, basketball and traveling in her free time.      

Students & Fellows

Arpita Edke, BS

Medical Student

arpita.edke@bmc.org

Arpita joined the lab in February 2022 as a Boston University undergraduate student earning her Bachelor of Science degree in human physiology. She’s contributed to several of the lab’s projects, including as a retrospective data collector and a study coordinator for the lab’s studies related to dysphagia outcomes and assessment. After completing her undergraduate degree in May 2023, Arpita was accepted into Georgetown University School of Medicine’s Class of 2028. She plans to eventually focus on cardiac surgery and global health. Outside of research, Arpita enjoys literature, particularly John Donne and Shakespeare, as well as dancing; she’s been trained in Kathak and Bollywood. She also spends time with her many pets, including a dog, turtles, fish, and parakeets!

Mitali Sakharkar, BA

Medical Student

mitali.sakharkar@bmc.org

Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine student Mitali Sakharkar joined the lab after forming the goal to be an otolaryngologist. Bringing experience working with innovative technology, Mitali was a welcome addition to the team studying spectroscopy for in-clinic monitoring of patients with abnormal laryngeal tissue. Mitali also contributes to the lab’s investigation of outcomes of patients who experience post-extubation lymphedema and dysphagia. Being a truly terrific Terrier, Mitali completed her undergraduate degree at Boston University in 2023. She’s also known as an amateur pilot, cellist, and baker of a mean iced lemon pound cake! Please feel welcome to reach out to Mitali, as she’s a big proponent of mentorship and education in the medical field, and she loves to give back.

Winston Liu

Undergraduate Student

winston.liu@bmc.org

Winston is a pre-medical undergraduate student studying biomedical engineering at Boston University. He joined the lab in autumn of 2023 and has leveraged his background in engineering to contribute computational methodologies to the lab’s studies on dysphagia outcomes and assessment. Winston was recently accepted into Boston University’s Modular Medical/Dental Integrated Curriculum (MMEDIC) program, granting him early acceptance to the Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine’s Class of 2030.

Lalita Sabat, BS

Research Fellow

lalita.sabat@bmc.org

Lalita Sabat joined the lab in July 2024 as a research fellow. Having recently graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) with a major in Biology and a minor in Chemistry, she now awaits matriculation into the institution’s School of Medicine as a student in their Guaranteed Admissions Program. Lalita’s exposure to research began in high school as an intern at Diadem Biotherapeutics. There, she explored innovative drug delivery methods using exosomes, focusing on anti-inflammatory proteins for treating inflammatory diseases and AIDS. While an undergraduate student at VCU, she developed her research skills in the Department of Biology’s Walsh Lab, investigating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and motor neuron degeneration in zebrafish models. Now, Lalita is excited to transition from wet lab work to clinical research at Boston University and Boston Medical Center, applying her diverse scientific background to new challenges in otolaryngology. 

Veronica Han, BS

Medical Student

vhan2@bu.edu

Veronica is a medical student from Miami, Florida who joined the lab in October of 2024. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at Duke University in 2022. She is currently contributing to the variation in care project related to dysphagia outcomes and assessment. She plans to pursue otolaryngology as a resident after medical school. Outside of research, Veronica enjoys working with clay, singing, and fishing in her free time.