Find-A-Physician

• Head and Neck Research
• Head and Neck Surgeon

3400 Spruce Street
5th Floor Ravdin Building
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
United States
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19165089300

As an Otolaryngologist with expertise in epithelial biology, carcinogenesis, and human immunology, I am uniquely positioned to elucidate the intricate network of epithelial and immune cell interactions in the upper airway that protect against pathogens and nascent tumor cells, and how inflammatory and malignant disease arise when this epithelial-immune homeostasis goes awry. As a fellowship-trained Rhinologist, I aim to align my clinical practice and research interests to provide specialized care to and advance clinical practice for patients suffering from inflammatory and malignant sinonasal disorders.

Education and Training

Medical School: Saint Louis University

Graduate School: National Cancer Institute - Saint Louis University Graduate Partnership Program

Residency: UC San Diego, Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

Fellowship: University of Pennsylvania, Rhinology & Anterior Skull Base Surgery

Featured Publications

1. Stacey HD, Garin-Ortega L, Lopez PG, Ramezani-Rad P, Ramirez SI, Faraji F, Bhavsar D, Levi G, Krammer F, Crotty S. Local B-cell immunity and durable memory following live-attenuated influenza intranasal vaccination of humans. Science Translational Medicine. 2026 April 29;18(847):eadz8439. PMID: 42054493
2. Zamuner FT*, Gunti S*, Starrett GJ*, Faraji F, et al. Molecular patterns and mechanisms of tumorigenesis in HPV-associated and HPV-independent sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma. Nature Communications. 2025 Jun 11;16(1):5285. PMID: 40500270
3. Lubrano S, Faraji F, Cervantes-Villagrana RD, et al. Combination of FAK and RAF/MEK inhibition overcomes resistance to targeted and immune therapies in BRAF^V600E mutant melanoma. Cancer Cell. 2025 Mar 10;43(3):428–445.e6. PMID: 40020669
4. Faraji F, Ramirez S, Clubb L, et al. YAP-Driven Malignant Reprogramming of Epithelial Stem Cells at Single Cell Resolution. Nature Communications. 2025 Jan 8;16(498). PMID: 39779672
5. Ramirez SI, Faraji F*, Hills LB*, Lopez PG*, et al. Immunological memory diversity in the human upper airway. 2024 Aug;632(8025):630–636. PMID: 39681658
6. Faraji F, Kumar A, Voora R, et al. Transoral Surgery in HPV-Positive Oropharyngeal Carcinoma: Oncologic Outcomes in the Veterans Affairs System. 2024 Jan;134(1):207–214. PMID: 37712293
7. Wu VH*, Yung BS*, Faraji F, et al. The GPCR-Gαs-PKA signaling axis promotes T cell dysfunction and cancer immunotherapy failure. Nature Immunology. 2023 Aug;24(8):1318–1330.
8. Saddawi-Konefka R, O'Farrell A, Faraji F, et al. Lymphatic-preserving treatment sequencing with immune checkpoint inhibition unleashes cDC1-dependent antitumor immunity in HNSCC. Nature Communications. 2022 Jul 25;13(1):4298.
9. Soliman SI*, Faraji F*, Pang J, et al. Adjuvant Radiotherapy in Surgically Treated HPV-Positive Oropharyngeal Carcinoma with Adverse Pathological Features. Cancers (Basel). 2022 Sep 17;14(18).
10. Klebaner D, Saddawi-Konefka R, Finegersh A, Yan CH, Califano JA, London NR, Deconde AS†, Faraji F†. Immunotherapy in sinonasal melanoma: treatment patterns and outcomes relative to cutaneous melanoma. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2020 Jul 5.
11. Faraji F, Fung N, Zaidi M, et al. Tumor infiltrating lymphocyte quantification stratifies early-stage HPV oropharynx cancer prognosis. 2019 May 9.
12. Faraji F, Rettig EM, El Asmar M, et al. The prevalence of HPV in oropharyngeal cancer is increasing regardless of sex or race, and the influence of sex and race on survival is modified by HPV tumor status. 2019 Mar 1;125(5):761–769.
13. Faraji F, Aygun N, Coquia SF, et al. Computed tomography performance in predicting extranodal extension in HPV-positive oropharynx cancer. 2019 Aug 14.
14. Faraji F, Hu Y, Yang HH, et al. Post-transcriptional control of tumor cell autonomous metastatic potential by CCR4-NOT deadenylase Cnot7. PLoS Genet. 2016 Jan 25;12(1):e1005820.
15. Faraji F, Hu Y, Wu G, et al. An Integrated Systems Genetics Screen Reveals the Transcriptional Structure of Predisposition to Metastatic Disease. Genome Res. 2014 Feb;24(2):227–40.
16. Faraji F, Pang Y, Walker R, et al. Cadm1 Is a Metastasis Susceptibility Gene That Suppresses Metastasis by Modifying Tumor Interaction with the Cell-Mediated Immunity. PLoS Genet. 2012 Sep;8(9):e1002926. [Cover illustration; Perspective article in PLoS Genet; Featured in NIH Graduate Student Chronicles]
17. Doyon Y, McCammon JM, … Faraji F, … Amacher SL. Heritable targeted gene disruption in zebrafish using designed zinc-finger nucleases. Nat Biotechnol. 2008 Jun;26(6):702–8. [>1,100 citations]

Primary Articles

1. Oca MC, Faraji F, Aisagbonhi O, Vahabzadeh-Hagh AM. Off the Beaten Path: A Thyroglossal Duct Cyst in the Sublingual Space of a 31-Year-Old Male — A Case Report. Case Rep Otolaryngol. 2026 Apr 9;2026:8832072. PMID: 41970213
2. Smith D, Weir IR, Ramirez S, … Faraji F, … Chew KW. Impact of COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody Therapy on Subsequent Vaccine-elicited SARS-CoV-2 Immune Responses. J Infect Dis. 2026 Feb 17:jiag091. Online ahead of print. PMID: 41700320
3. Hoang TS, Faraji F, Mendez-Molina AN, et al. Genome-wide CRISPR screening reveals a PKA-driven resistance mechanism to metformin for oral cancer prevention that can be exploited by combination with NSAIDs. Cancer Prev Res (Phila). 2025 Dec 19. PMID: 41416398
4. Siniscalco ER, Meng H, Gabernet G, … Faraji F, … Eisenbarth SC. Sequential class switching generates antigen-specific gut IgA from IgG1 B cells. 2025 Dec 9;58(12):3075–3093.e6. PMID: 41253159
5. Faraji F, Brandel MG, Santiago-Dieppa DR, Beaumont TL, DeConde AS. Projectile Embedded in the Tuberculum Sellae. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2025 Nov;15(11):1316–1318. PMID: 41025555
6. Saddawi-Konefka R, Msari RA, Tang S, … Faraji F, … Califano JA. The tumor-sentinel lymph node immuno-migratome reveals CCR7⁺ dendritic cells drive response to sequenced immunoradiotherapy. Nature Communications. 2025 Jul 17;16(1):6578. PMID: 40675962
7. Tenorio A, Produturi GR, Faraji F, et al. The US-Mexico Border Wall Height Extension Is Associated With Increased Incidence and Severity of Facial Trauma. Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol. 2025 Apr 2;10(2):e70129. PMID: 40177256
8. Aggarwal A, Jana M, … Faraji F, … Madabhushi A. Artificial intelligence-based virtual staining platform for identifying tumor-associated macrophages from hematoxylin and eosin-stained images. Eur J Cancer. 2025 May 2;220:115390. PMID: 40158294
9. Hsia B, Bitar G, … Faraji F, … Polster SP. Genomic Characterization of Chordoma: Insights from the AACR Project GENIE Database. Cancers (Basel). 2025 Feb 5;17(3):536. PMID: 39941902
10. Sato K, Faraji F, Cervantes-Villagrana RD, et al. Targeting YAP/TAZ-TEAD as a precision therapy approach in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer Letters. 2025 Jan 16. PMID: 39826667
11. Sharma RK, Orosco R, Philips R, Faraji F, et al. Positive Margin Rates in Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Malignancies: A National Analysis. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2024 Dec 22. PMID: 39709538
12. Ramirez SI, Lopez PG, Faraji F, et al. Early antiviral CD4 and CD8 T cell responses and antibodies are associated with upper respiratory tract clearance of SARS-CoV-2. JCI Insight. 2024 Dec 20;9(24):e186078. PMID: 39709538
13. Victor MT, Faraji F, Voora R, et al. Factors associated with total laryngectomy following organ-preserving treatment of laryngeal SCC. Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol. 2024 Aug 6;9(4):e1317. PMID: 39108948
14. Harley RJ, Iheagwara UK, Faraji F, et al. Postoperative Radiotherapy and Survival in Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma With Mandibulectomy. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2024 Mar 1;150(3):233–239. PMID: 38300601
15. Arang N, Lubrano S, … Faraji F, … Gutkind JS. High-throughput chemogenetic drug screening reveals PKC-RhoA/PKN as a targetable signaling vulnerability in GNAQ-driven uveal melanoma. Cell Rep Med. 2023 Nov 21;4(11):101244.
16. Kalavacherla S, Li V, Voora R, Victor M, Faraji F, Guo T. Factors associated with unknown primary status in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Oral Oncol. 2024 Jan;148:106650. PMID: 38039876
17. La Monte OA, Lee JH, Soliman SI, … Faraji F†, Hom DB†. Simulation-based workshop for emergency preparedness in otolaryngology. Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol. 2023 Aug 24;8(5):1159–1168.
18. Ramirez SI, Grifoni A, … Faraji F, … Crotty S. Bamlanivimab therapy for acute COVID-19 does not blunt SARS-CoV-2-specific memory T cell responses. JCI Insight. 2022 Dec 22;7(24).
19. Koyuncu CF, Nag R, … Faraji F, … Madabhushi A. Image analysis reveals differences in tumor multinucleations in Black and White patients with human papillomavirus-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. 2022 Nov 1;128(21):3831–3842.
20. Robinson EM, Lam AS, … Faraji F, … Barber BR. Trends in Positive Surgical Margins in cT1-T2 Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma. 2022 Oct;132(10):1962–1970.
21. Harley RJ, Ostrander BT, … Faraji F†, Friedman RA†. Local Tumor Behavior Associated With Survival Among Patients With Paraganglioma of the Head and Neck. OTO Open. 2022 Jan–Mar;6(1):2473974X221086872.
22. Corredor G, Toro P, … Faraji F, … Madabhushi A. An Imaging Biomarker of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes to Risk-Stratify Patients with HPV-Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2021 Nov 29:djab215.
23. Lee JH, Mohamed T, … Faraji F, Califano JA. A Hospital-Wide Intervention to Improve Compliance With TNM Cancer Staging Documentation. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2021 Aug 27:1–10.
24. Finegersh A, Voora RS, … Faraji F, … Orosco RK. Robotic surgery may improve overall survival for T1 and T2 tumors of the hypopharynx: An NCDB cohort study. Oral Oncol. 2021 Oct;121:105440.
25. Pang J, Faraji F, Risa E, et al. High rates of postoperative radiotherapy delay in head and neck cancer before and after Medicaid expansion. Head Neck. 2021 Sep;43(9):2672–2684.
26. Ryan WR, Xu MJ, … Faraji F, … Cognetti DM. Oncologic Outcomes of Human Papillomavirus-Related Oropharynx Carcinoma Treated with Surgery Alone: A 12-Institution Study of 344 Patients. 2021 Sep 1;127(17):3092–3106.
27. Koyuncu CF, Lu C, … Faraji F, … Madabhushi A. Computerized tumor multinucleation index (MuNI) is prognostic in p16+ oropharyngeal carcinoma. J Clin Invest. 2021 Apr 15;131(8):e145488.
28. Gerkin RC, Ohla K, … Faraji F, … Parma V. The best COVID-19 predictor is recent smell loss: a cross-sectional study. Chem Senses. 2021 Jan 1;46.
29. Jumaily M, Gallogly JA, Gropler MC, Faraji F, Ward GM. Does subglottic squamous cell carcinoma warrant a different strategy than other laryngeal subsites? 2020 Aug 26.
30. Parma V, Ohla K, … Faraji F, … Hayes JE; GCCR Group Authors. More than smell – COVID-19 is associated with severe impairment of smell, taste, and chemesthesis. Chem Senses. 2020 Jun 20:bjaa041.
31. Jaime-Lara R, Parma V, Yan C, Faraji F, Joseph P. The Role of Olfaction in Human Health: A Focus on Coronaviruses. Allergy Rhinol (Providence). 2020 Jun 5;11:2152656720928245.
32. Finegersh A, Moss W, … Faraji F, … Orosco R. A meta-analysis of risk of occult lymph node metastasis in the irradiated, clinically N0 neck. Head Neck. 2020 May 19.
33. Yan CH, Faraji F, Prajapati DP, Ostrander BT, DeConde AS. Self-reported olfactory loss associates with outpatient clinical course in Covid-19. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2020 Apr 24. [>1,000 citations]
34. Faraji F*, Lee JH*, et al. Electric Scooter Craniofacial Trauma. Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol. 2020 Apr 7;5(3):390–395.
35. Pang J, Crawford K, Faraji F, et al. An analysis of 1-year charges for head and neck cancer: targets for value-based interventions. Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. 2020 May 26.
36. Yan CH, Faraji F, Prajapati DP, Boone CE, DeConde AS. Association of chemosensory dysfunction and Covid-19 presenting with influenza-like symptoms. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2020 Apr 12.
37. Devries J, Faraji F, Bracken D, Weissbrod PA. An Atypical Cause of Difficulty Swallowing. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2020 Mar 19.
38. Jumaily M, Faraji F, Walker RJ, Osazuwa-Peters N, Ward GW. Prognostic significance of surgical margins after transoral laser microsurgery for T1 and T2 glottic carcinoma. Oral Oncol. 2019 Oct;97:105–111.
39. Windon MJ, D'Souza G, Faraji F, et al. Priorities of human papillomavirus-associated oropharyngeal cancer patients at diagnosis and after treatment. Oral Oncol. 2019 Aug;95:11–15.
40. Moss W, Faraji F, Jafari A, DeConde A. A systematic review of the nasal septal turbinate: an overlooked surgical target. Am J Otolaryngol. 2019 Nov–Dec;40(6):102188.
41. Faraji F, Crawford K, Stramiello J, et al. Bullous pemphigoid presenting as oropharyngeal hemorrhage. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2019 Jan 24.
42. Windon MJ, D'Souza G, Faraji F, et al. Priorities, concerns, and regret among head and neck cancer patients. 2019 Apr 15;125(8):1281–1289.
43. Jumaily M, Faraji F, Walker RJ, Ward GM. Basaloid Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Larynx: A National Cancer Database Analysis. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2019 May;160(5):847–854.
44. Gallogly J, Jumaily M, Faraji F, Mikulec AA. Stereotactic radiotherapy in three weekly fractions for the management of vestibular schwannomas. Am J Otolaryngol. 2018 Jun 22.
45. Rettig EM, Zaidi M, Faraji F, et al. Increasing Age of HPV-Positive and HPV-Negative Oropharyngeal Cancer Patients Over Time. Oral Oncology. 2018 Aug;83:147–153.
46. Ward Y, Lake R, Faraji F, et al. CD97 on Tumor Cells Binds Platelets and Mediates Bidirectional Signaling to Promote Transendothelial Migration and Metastasis. Cancer Res. 2018 Apr;23(3):808–822.
47. Gallogly J, Faraji F, Jumaily M, Brunworth JD. Diagnostic dilemmas of mechanical restriction of the medial rectus: a case report. Allergy Rhinol (Providence). 2018 Apr;8(1):e40–44.
48. Faraji F, Coquia SF, Wenderoth MB, et al. Evaluating oropharyngeal carcinoma with transcervical ultrasonography, CT, and MRI. Oral Oncology. 2018 Mar;78:177–185.
49. Faraji F, Padilla ES, Blitz D, et al. Reader performance in the ultrasonographic evaluation of oropharyngeal carcinoma. Oral Oncology. 2018 Feb;77:105–110.
50. Guntupalli L, Patel K, Faraji F, Brunworth JD. Perforation of the nasal septum and positive antinuclear antibody titers: which autoimmune disorders are most often associated with nasal septum perforation? Allergy Rhinol (Providence). 2017 Mar 1;8(1):40–44.
51. Jumaily M, Faraji F, Mikulec AA. Intratympanic triamcinolone and dexamethasone in the treatment of Meniere's syndrome. Otol Neurotol. 2017 Mar;38(3):386–391.
52. Patel K, Faraji F, Brunworth JD. Isolated craniopharyngioma in the nasal cavity. Acta Otolaryngol Case Reports. 2016 Jan;1(1):98–101.
53. Jumaily M, Faraji F, Brunworth JD. Endoscopic orbital exenteration in the treatment of acute invasive fungal sinusitis. Acta Otolaryngol Case Reports. 2016 Jan;1(1):58–62.
54. Faraji F, Antisdel JL, Brunworth JD. Blindness Resulting from Bisphosphonate-Related Osteonecrosis of the Skull Base. Acta Otolaryngol Case Reports. 2016 Jan;1(1):49–53.
55. Bai L, Yang H, … Faraji F, … Hunter KW. An integrated genome-wide systems genetics screen for breast cancer metastasis susceptibility genes. PLoS Genet. 2016 Apr 13;12(4):e1005989.
56. Geiger TR, Ha NH, Faraji F, et al. Functional analysis of prognostic gene expression network genes in metastatic breast cancer models. PLoS One. 2014 Nov 4;9(11):e111813.
57. Alsarraj J, Faraji F, Geiger TR, et al. BRD4 Short Isoform Interacts with RRP1B, SIPA1 and Components of the LINC Complex at the Inner Face of the Nuclear Membrane. PLoS ONE. 2013 Nov 19;8(11):e80746.
58. Mikulec AA, Faraji F, Kinsella LJ. Evaluation of the Efficacy of Caffeine Cessation, Nortriptyline, and Topiramate in the Treatment of Vestibular Migraine and Complex Dizziness of Unknown Etiology. Am J Otolaryngol. 2012 Jan–Feb;33(1):121–7.
59. Young JJ, Cherone JM, … Faraji FM, … Zeitler B. Efficient targeted gene disruption in the soma and germ line of the frog Xenopus tropicalis using engineered zinc-finger nucleases. 2011 Apr 26;108(17):7052–7.
60. Faraji F, Kinsella LJ, Rutlege JC, Mikulec AA. The Comparative Usefulness of Orthostatic Testing and Tilt Table Testing in the Evaluation of Autonomic-Associated Dizziness. Otol Neurotol. 2011 Jun;32(4):654–9.
61. Cai CQ, Doyon Y, … Faraji F, … Petolino JF. Targeted transgene integration in plant cells using designed zinc finger nucleases. Plant Mol Biol. 2009 Apr;69(6):699–709.

Review Articles

1. Faraji F*, Ramirez SI, Anguiano Quiroz PY, Mendez-Molina AN, Gutkind JS. Genomic Hippo Pathway Alterations and Persistent YAP/TAZ Activation: New Hallmarks in Head and Neck Cancer. 2022 Apr 18;11(8).
2. Faraji F, Cohen EEW, Guo TW. Evolving treatment paradigms in recurrent and metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: the emergence of immunotherapy. Transl Cancer Res. 2023 May 31;12(5):1353–1358. PMID: 37304550
3. Fung N*, Faraji F*, Kang H, Fakhry C. The role of human papillomavirus on the prognosis and treatment of oropharyngeal carcinoma. Cancer Metastasis Reviews. 2017 Sep;36(3):449–461.
4. Faraji F*, Zaidi M*, Fakhry C, Gaykalova DA. Molecular mechanisms of human papillomavirus-related carcinogenesis in head and neck cancer. Microbes Infect. 2017 Sep–Oct;19(9–10):464–475.
5. Faraji F, Eisele DW, Fakhry C. Emerging insights into recurrent and metastatic human papillomavirus-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol. 2017 Jan 17.
6. Faraji F, Eissenberg JC. Seed and Soil: A Conceptual Framework of Metastasis for Clinicians. Mo Med. 2013 Jul–Aug;110(94):302–8.

Book Chapters

1. Hom DB, Faraji F, Maisel RH. Chapter 118 – Penetrating and Blunt Trauma to the Neck. In Cummings Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. Eighth Edition. Elsevier: Philadelphia, 2026.
2. Faraji F, Fakhry C. Chapter 31 – Human papillomavirus and head and neck cancer. In Durand M, Deschler D (eds) Infections of the Ears, Nose, Throat, and Sinuses. Second Edition. Springer Nature: Switzerland, 2024.
3. Faraji F, Fakhry C. Chapter 13 – Oropharyngeal HPV and head and neck cancer. In Bosch FX, Jenkins D (eds). Human Papillomavirus: Proving and Using a Viral Cause for Cancer. Academic Press: Cambridge, MA, 2020.
4. Faraji F, Schubert AD, Kagohara LT, et al. Chapter 15 – The Genome-wide molecular landscape of HPV-driven and HPV-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. In Burtness B, Golemis EA (eds) Molecular Determinants of Head and Neck Cancer. 2nd Edition. Humana Press: New York, NY, 2018.
5. Faraji F, Fakhry C. Chapter 4 – HPV-related Head and Neck Cancer Biology. In Argiris A, Rosenthal DI, Ferris RL (eds) Head and Neck Cancers: Evidence-based Treatment. Demos Medical: New York, NY, 2018.
6. Faraji F, Fakhry C. Chapter 28 – Human papillomavirus and head and neck cancer. In Durand M, Deschler D (eds) Infections of the Ears, Nose, Throat, and Sinuses. First Edition. Springer: New York, 2018.
7. Ha NH, Faraji F, Hunter KW. Chapter 17 – Mechanisms of Metastasis. In Bae YH, Mrsny RJ, Park K (eds) Cancer Targeted Drug Delivery: An Elusive Dream. Springer: New York, NY, 2013.