Dennis Onyeka Frank-Ito | Scholars@Duke

Dennis Onyeka Frank-Ito
Assistant Professor of Surgery

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

Assistant Professor of Surgery, Surgery, Head and Neck Surgery and Communication Sciences, Surgery 2014
Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Pratt School of Engineering 2016

Contact Information

40 Duke Medicine Circle, DUMC 3805, 3576 White Zone, Durham, NC 27710
dennis.frank@duke.edu (919) 681-7247
Frank-Ito Computational Modeling Research Lab

Background
Education, Training, & Certifications
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 2010 - 2013
- Ph.D., North Carolina State University 2010
Duke Appointment History
- Instructor, Temporary in the Department ofSurgery, Surgery, Head and Neck Surgery and Communication Sciences, Surgery 2013 - 2014
Recognition
In the News
- OCT 22, 2019 Clinical Practice Today
  
  Function Follows Form for Treating Unilateral Cleft Lip Nasal Deformity
- MAY 8, 2017 ENTtoday
  
  Computational Modeling Shows Promise for Otolaryngology Use
Expertise
Subject Headings
Research
Selected Grants
- Computational modeling of the mature unilateral cleft lip nasal deformity for objective assessment of patient nasal function and treatment outcomes awarded by National Institutes of Health 2019 - 2023
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Training Program awarded by National Institutes of Health 2005 - 2020
- Improving Topical Drug Delivery for Treatment of Chronic Rhinosinusitis awarded by University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill 2015 - 2020
- Improving Topical Drug Delivery for Treatment of Chronic Rhinosinusitis awarded by University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill 2015 - 2019
- Creating Virtual Surgery Targets and Methods to Improve Outcomes of Nasal Airway Surgery awarded by Medical College of Wisconsin 2014 - 2018
- Modeling the Pediatric Upper Airway Using A-OCT and DNS CFD awarded by University of California, Irvine 2013 - 2015
Publications & Artistic Works
Selected Publications
- Academic Articles
  - Tracy, Lauren F., Saikat Basu, Parth V. Shah, Dennis O. Frank-Ito, Snigdha Das, Adam M. Zanation, and Julia S. Kimbell. “Impact of endoscopic craniofacial resection on simulated nasal airflow and heat transport..” Int Forum Allergy Rhinol 9, no. 8 (August 2019): 900–909. https://doi.org/10.1002/alr.22328.
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  - Borojeni, Azadeh A. T., Guilherme J. M. Garcia, Masoud Gh Moghaddam, Dennis O. Frank-Ito, Julia S. Kimbell, Purushottam W. Laud, Lisa J. Koenig, and John S. Rhee. “Normative ranges of nasal airflow variables in healthy adults..” Int J Comput Assist Radiol Surg, July 2, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11548-019-02023-y.
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  - Inthavong, Kiao, Jiawei Ma, Yidan Shang, Jingliang Dong, Annicka S. R. Chetty, Jiyuan Tu, and Dennis Frank-Ito. “Geometry and airflow dynamics analysis in the nasal cavity during inhalation..” Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 66 (June 2019): 97–106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2017.10.006.
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  - Frank-Ito, Dennis O., David J. Carpenter, Tracy Cheng, Yash J. Avashia, David A. Brown, Adam Glener, Alexander Allori, and Jeffrey R. Marcus. “Computational Analysis of the Mature Unilateral Cleft Lip Nasal Deformity on Nasal Patency..” Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open 7, no. 5 (May 2019). https://doi.org/10.1097/GOX.0000000000002244.
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  - Farzal, Z., A. G. Del Signore, A. M. Zanation, C. S. Ebert, D. Frank-Ito, J. S. Kimbell, and B. A. Senior. “A computational fluid dynamics analysis of the effects of size and shape of anterior nasal septal perforations..” Rhinology 57, no. 2 (April 1, 2019): 153–59. https://doi.org/10.4193/Rhin18.111.
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  - Marcus, Jeffrey R., David A. Brown, David Carpenter, Adam Glener, Alexander Allori, and Dennis Frank-Ito. “Multimodal Characterization of the Mature Septal Deformity and Airspace Associated with Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate..” Plast Reconstr Surg 143, no. 3 (March 2019): 865–73. https://doi.org/10.1097/PRS.0000000000005365.
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  - Kimbell, Julia S., Saikat Basu, Guilherme J. M. Garcia, Dennis O. Frank-Ito, Frances Lazarow, Erica Su, Dimitry Protsenko, Zhongping Chen, John S. Rhee, and Brian J. Wong. “Upper airway reconstruction using long-range optical coherence tomography: Effects of airway curvature on airflow resistance..” Lasers Surg Med 51, no. 2 (February 2019): 150–60. https://doi.org/10.1002/lsm.23005.
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  - Frank-Ito, Dennis O., Julia S. Kimbell, Azadeh A. T. Borojeni, Guilherme J. M. Garcia, and John S. Rhee. “A hierarchical stepwise approach to evaluate nasal patency after virtual surgery for nasal airway obstruction..” Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 61 (January 2019): 172–80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2018.12.014.
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  - Dong, J., J. Ma, Y. Shang, K. Inthavong, D. Qiu, J. Tu, and D. Frank-Ito. “Detailed nanoparticle exposure analysis among human nasal cavities with distinct vestibule phenotypes.” Journal of Aerosol Science 121 (July 1, 2018): 54–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaerosci.2018.05.001.
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  - Ma, Jiawei, Jingliang Dong, Yidan Shang, Kiao Inthavong, Jiyuan Tu, and Dennis O. Frank-Ito. “Air conditioning analysis among human nasal passages with anterior anatomical variations..” Med Eng Phys 57 (July 2018): 19–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medengphy.2018.04.010.
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  - Basu, Saikat, Dennis O. Frank-Ito, and Julia S. Kimbell. “On computational fluid dynamics models for sinonasal drug transport: Relevance of nozzle subtraction and nasal vestibular dilation..” Int J Numer Method Biomed Eng 34, no. 4 (April 2018). https://doi.org/10.1002/cnm.2946.
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  - Cheng, Tracy, David Carpenter, Seth Cohen, David Witsell, and Dennis O. Frank-Ito. “Investigating the effects of laryngotracheal stenosis on upper airway aerodynamics..” Laryngoscope 128, no. 4 (April 2018): E141–49. https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.26954.
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  - Burnette, Elizabeth, Erin G. Piker, and Dennis Frank-Ito. “Reevaluating Order Effects in the Binaural Bithermal Caloric Test..” Am J Audiol 27, no. 1 (March 8, 2018): 104–9. https://doi.org/10.1044/2017_AJA-17-0028.
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  - Carpenter, David, David Kaylie, Erin Piker, and Dennis Frank-Ito. “A Pilot Study to Investigate the Relationship Between Interaural Differences in Temporal Bone Anatomy and Normal Variations in Caloric Asymmetry..” Am J Audiol 27, no. 1 (March 8, 2018): 110–20. https://doi.org/10.1044/2017_AJA-16-0048.
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  - Brady, R., D. O. Frank-Ito, H. T. Tran, S. Janum, K. Møller, S. Brix, J. T. Ottesen, J. Mehlsen, and M. S. Olufsen. “Personalized mathematical model of endotoxin-induced inflammatory responses in young men and associated changes in heart rate variability.” Mathematical Modelling of Natural Phenomena 13, no. 5 (January 1, 2018). https://doi.org/10.1051/mmnp/2018031.
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  - Vanhille, Derek L., Guilherme J. M. Garcia, Onur Asan, Azadeh A. T. Borojeni, Dennis O. Frank-Ito, Julia S. Kimbell, Sachin S. Pawar, and John S. Rhee. “Virtual Surgery for the Nasal Airway: A Preliminary Report on Decision Support and Technology Acceptance..” Jama Facial Plastic Surgery 20, no. 1 (January 2018): 63–69. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamafacial.2017.1554.
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  - Jong, Marrigje A. de, David J. Carpenter, David M. Kaylie, Erin G. Piker, and Dennis O. Frank-Ito. “Temporal bone anatomy characteristics in superior semicircular canal dehiscence..” J Otol 12, no. 4 (December 2017): 185–91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joto.2017.08.003.
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  - Carpenter, David J., Debara L. Tucci, David M. Kaylie, and Dennis O. Frank-Ito. “The anatomic determinants of conductive hearing loss secondary to tympanic membrane perforation..” J Otol 12, no. 3 (September 2017): 125–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joto.2017.06.001.
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  - Carpenter, David J., Debara L. Tucci, David M. Kaylie, and Dennis O. Frank-Ito. “Disagreement in middle ear volume estimation between tympanometry and three-dimensional volume reconstruction in the context of tympanic membrane perforation..” J Otol 12, no. 2 (June 2017): 74–79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joto.2017.04.001.
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  - A T Borojeni, Azadeh, Dennis O. Frank-Ito, Julia S. Kimbell, John S. Rhee, and Guilherme J. M. Garcia. “Creation of an idealized nasopharynx geometry for accurate computational fluid dynamics simulations of nasal airflow in patient-specific models lacking the nasopharynx anatomy..” Int J Numer Method Biomed Eng 33, no. 5 (May 2017). https://doi.org/10.1002/cnm.2825.
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  - Patki, Aniruddha, and Dennis O. Frank-Ito. “Characterizing human nasal airflow physiologic variables by nasal index..” Respir Physiol Neurobiol 232 (October 2016): 66–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resp.2016.07.004.
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  - Kimbell, Julia S., and Dennis O. Frank-Ito. “Mechanical Nasal Dilators for the Management of Nasal Obstruction..” Jama Facial Plast Surg 18, no. 5 (September 1, 2016): 389–90. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamafacial.2016.0656.
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  - Patki, Aniruddha Uday, Ofri Ronen, David Marcus Kaylie, Dennis Onyeka Frank-Ito, and Erin Gillikin Piker. “Anatomic Variations in Temporal Bones Affect the Intensity of Nystagmus During Warm Caloric Irrigation..” Otol Neurotol 37, no. 8 (September 2016): 1111–16. https://doi.org/10.1097/MAO.0000000000001129.
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  - Keeler, Jarrod A., Aniruddha Patki, Charles R. Woodard, and Dennis O. Frank-Ito. “A Computational Study of Nasal Spray Deposition Pattern in Four Ethnic Groups..” J Aerosol Med Pulm Drug Deliv 29, no. 2 (April 2016): 153–66. https://doi.org/10.1089/jamp.2014.1205.
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  - Ramprasad, Vaibhav H., and Dennis O. Frank-Ito. “A computational analysis of nasal vestibule morphologic variabilities on nasal function..” J Biomech 49, no. 3 (February 8, 2016): 450–57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2016.01.009.
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  - Frank-Ito, Dennis O., Matthew Wofford, Jeffry D. Schroeter, and Julia S. Kimbell. “Influence of Mesh Density on Airflow and Particle Deposition in Sinonasal Airway Modeling..” J Aerosol Med Pulm Drug Deliv 29, no. 1 (February 2016): 46–56. https://doi.org/10.1089/jamp.2014.1188.
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  - Choi, Kevin J., David W. Jang, Matthew D. Ellison, and Dennis O. Frank-Ito. “Characterizing airflow profile in the postoperative maxillary sinus by using computational fluid dynamics modeling: A pilot study..” Am J Rhinol Allergy 30, no. 1 (January 2016): 29–36. https://doi.org/10.2500/ajra.2016.30.4266.
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  - Frank-Ito, Dennis O., Mirabelle Sajisevi, C Arturo Solares, and David W. Jang. “Modeling alterations in sinonasal physiology after skull base surgery..” Am J Rhinol Allergy 29, no. 2 (March 2015): 145–50. https://doi.org/10.2500/ajra.2015.29.4150.
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  - Wofford, M. R., J. S. Kimbell, D. O. Frank-Ito, V. Dhandha, K. A. McKinney, G. M. Fleischman, C. S. Ebert, A. M. Zanation, and B. A. Senior. “A computational study of functional endoscopic sinus surgery and maxillary sinus drug delivery..” Rhinology 53, no. 1 (March 2015): 41–48. https://doi.org/10.4193/Rhin13.065.
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  - Frank-Ito, Dennis O., Kristine Schulz, Gina Vess, and David L. Witsell. “Changes in aerodynamics during vocal cord dysfunction..” Comput Biol Med 57 (February 2015): 116–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compbiomed.2014.12.004.
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  - Patel, Ruchin G., Guilherme J. M. Garcia, Dennis O. Frank-Ito, Julia S. Kimbell, and John S. Rhee. “Simulating the nasal cycle with computational fluid dynamics..” Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 152, no. 2 (February 2015): 353–60. https://doi.org/10.1177/0194599814559385.
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  - Frank-Ito, Dennis O., Julia S. Kimbell, Purushottam Laud, Guilherme J. M. Garcia, and John S. Rhee. “Predicting postsurgery nasal physiology with computational modeling: current challenges and limitations..” Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 151, no. 5 (November 2014): 751–59. https://doi.org/10.1177/0194599814547497.
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  - Shadfar, Scott, William W. Shockley, Gita M. Fleischman, Anand R. Dugar, Kibwei A. McKinney, Dennis O. Frank-Ito, and Julia S. Kimbell. “Characterization of postoperative changes in nasal airflow using a cadaveric computational fluid dynamics model: supporting the internal nasal valve..” Jama Facial Plast Surg 16, no. 5 (September 2014): 319–27. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamafacial.2014.395.
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  - Rhee, John S., Corbin D. Sullivan, Dennis O. Frank, Julia S. Kimbell, and Guilherme J. M. Garcia. “A systematic review of patient-reported nasal obstruction scores: defining normative and symptomatic ranges in surgical patients..” Jama Facial Plast Surg 16, no. 3 (May 2014): 219–25. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamafacial.2013.2473.
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  - Sullivan, Corbin D., Guilherme J. M. Garcia, Dennis O. Frank-Ito, Julia S. Kimbell, and John S. Rhee. “Perception of better nasal patency correlates with increased mucosal cooling after surgery for nasal obstruction..” Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 150, no. 1 (January 2014): 139–47. https://doi.org/10.1177/0194599813509776.
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  - Kimbell, J. S., D. O. Frank, Purushottam Laud, G. J. M. Garcia, and J. S. Rhee. “Changes in nasal airflow and heat transfer correlate with symptom improvement after surgery for nasal obstruction..” J Biomech 46, no. 15 (October 18, 2013): 2634–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2013.08.007.
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  - Frank, Dennis O., Adam M. Zanation, Vishal H. Dhandha, Kibwei A. McKinney, Gitanjali M. Fleischman, Charles S. Ebert, Brent A. Senior, and Julia S. Kimbell. “Quantification of airflow into the maxillary sinuses before and after functional endoscopic sinus surgery..” Int Forum Allergy Rhinol 3, no. 10 (October 2013): 834–40. https://doi.org/10.1002/alr.21203.
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  - Cannon, Daniel E., Dennis O. Frank, Julia S. Kimbell, David M. Poetker, and John S. Rhee. “Modeling nasal physiology changes due to septal perforations..” Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 148, no. 3 (March 2013): 513–18. https://doi.org/10.1177/0194599812472881.
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  - Frank, Dennis O., Julia S. Kimbell, Daniel Cannon, and John S. Rhee. “Computed intranasal spray penetration: comparisons before and after nasal surgery..” Int Forum Allergy Rhinol 3, no. 1 (January 2013): 48–55. https://doi.org/10.1002/alr.21070.
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  - Frank, D. O., J. S. Kimbell, D. Cannon, S. S. Pawar, and J. S. Rhee. “Deviated nasal septum hinders intranasal sprays: a computer simulation study..” Rhinology 50, no. 3 (September 2012): 311–18. https://doi.org/10.4193/Rhino12.053.
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  - Rhee, John S., Daniel E. Cannon, Dennis O. Frank, and Julia S. Kimbell. “Role of virtual surgery in preoperative planning: assessing the individual components of functional nasal airway surgery..” Arch Facial Plast Surg 14, no. 5 (September 2012): 354–59. https://doi.org/10.1001/archfacial.2012.182.
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  - Kimbell, Julia S., Guilherme J. M. Garcia, Dennis O. Frank, Daniel E. Cannon, Sachin S. Pawar, and John S. Rhee. “Computed nasal resistance compared with patient-reported symptoms in surgically treated nasal airway passages: a preliminary report..” Am J Rhinol Allergy 26, no. 3 (May 2012): e94–98. https://doi.org/10.2500/ajra.2012.26.3766.
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  - Frank, Dennis O., Julia S. Kimbell, Sachin Pawar, and John S. Rhee. “Effects of anatomy and particle size on nasal sprays and nebulizers..” Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 146, no. 2 (February 2012): 313–19. https://doi.org/10.1177/0194599811427519.
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- Other Articles
  - Garcia, Guilherme J. M., Ruchin G. Patel, Dennis O. Frank-Ito, Julia S. Kimbell, and John S. Rhee. “Response to Dr Chung's Question on Simulating the Nasal Cycle with Computational Fluid Dynamics..” Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, August 2015. https://doi.org/10.1177/0194599815590107.
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  - Garcia, Guilherme J. M., Julia S. Kimbell, and Dennis O. Frank-Ito. “In reference to Regional peak mucosal cooling predicts the perception of nasal patency..” Laryngoscope, May 2014. https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.24600.
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- Conference Papers
  - Frank-Ito, Dennis O. “A COMPUTATIONAL ANALYSIS OF AEROSOL DEPORTATION IN LARYNGOTRACHEAL STENOSIS.” In Journal of Aerosol Medicine and Pulmonary Drug Delivery, 32:A10–A10. MARY ANN LIEBERT, INC, 2019.
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  - Ma, J., J. Dong, Y. Shang, K. Inthavong, J. Tu, and D. O. Frank-Ito. “Numerical air conditioning performance assessment of nasal models with morphologic variations.” In Proceedings International Symposium on Biomedical Imaging, 118–21, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1109/ISBI.2017.7950482.
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  - Wofford, M., J. S. Kimbell, D. O. Frank, J. D. Schroeter, V. Dhandha, C. S. Ebert, A. M. Zanation, and B. A. Senior. “A COMPUTATIONAL MESH DESIGN FOR AIRFLOW AND NEBULIZED PARTICLE TRANSPORT SIMULATION IN A SINONASAL MODEL AFTER FUNCTIONAL ENDOSCOPIC SINUS SURGERY (FESS).” In Journal of Aerosol Medicine and Pulmonary Drug Delivery, 26:A37–A37. MARY ANN LIEBERT INC, 2013.
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Education, Training, & Certifications

Duke Appointment History

In the News

Subject Headings

Selected Grants

Selected Publications

Academic Articles

Other Articles

Conference Papers