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Dennis Onyeka Frank-Ito

Associate Professor in Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences
Rhinology and Skull Base Surgery
Duke South Yellow Zone 4000, DUMC Box 3805, Durham, NC 27710
40 Duke Medicine Circle, DUMC, DUMC Box 3805, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


My research interests include modeling the effects of human airway anatomy on respiratory airflow patterns, deposition of inhaled gases and particle transport using computational fluid dynamics.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Associate Professor in Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences · 2025 - Present Rhinology and Skull Base Surgery, Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences

In the News


Published November 8, 2024
Bennett, Saint Augustine's partner with Duke to increase Black student representation in medicine
Published November 4, 2024
HBCU Partners with Duke University to Empower Black Students in Biomedical Fields
Published October 30, 2024
Bennett College Joins Duke University’s STEM Research Pathway

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Recent Publications


Effects of Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor on the Sinonasal Airspace in Cystic Fibrosis.

Journal Article Laryngoscope · February 2026 OBJECTIVES: People with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) experience significant sinonasal airway opacification, leading to chronic airway-related conditions. The triple combination therapy Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor (ETI) has emerged as a therapeutic option for ... Full text Link to item Cite

Investigating the Challenges of Managing Coexisting Subglottic Stenosis and Bronchopulmonary Diseases Medically Using Computational Modeling.

Journal Article Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · February 2026 OBJECTIVE: Subglottic stenosis (SGS) coexists with bronchopulmonary disease, complicating topical therapy given the distinct anatomical targets. Optimizing inhaled medication delivery to both regions remain a therapeutic challenge. This study evaluates the ... Full text Link to item Cite

Nasal cycling effects in intranasal drug delivery efficiency to the olfactory cleft.

Journal Article Respir Physiol Neurobiol · January 2026 BACKGROUND: Optimizing olfactory cleft drug delivery remains a significant challenge due to the anatomical complexity of the nasal cavity and olfactory cleft location. While various strategies have been explored to improve targeting, the influence of nasal ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


2/3 CTSA K12 Program at Duke University

ResearchMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2025 - 2030

Developing a Pathway for Preparing Underrepresented Minority Students for a Career in Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders · 2024 - 2029

Duke Preparing Research Scholars in Biomedical Sciences- Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institute of General Medical Sciences · 2022 - 2027

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Education, Training & Certifications


North Carolina State University · 2010 Ph.D.