Description of Research Expertise

Dr. Carey is a surgeon-scientist engaged in research aimed at improving the diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancer. He runs a cancer neuroscience lab that investigates how head and neck cancer cells interact with the local tumor environment. His lab is specifically focused on G-protein coupled receptors including taste receptors and how the involved signaling pathways can regulate important cellular processes in head and neck cancer. The goal is to leverage taste receptors as biomarkers or therapeutic targets for treating malignancies. His group is actively translating their basic science findings from bench to bedside through clinical trials on therapies developed in the lab.

Dr. Carey is the sponsor-investigator for “A Phase I Randomized Controlled Trial of Intratumoral Lidocaine Injection Before Transoral Robotic Surgery (TORS) and Neck Dissection for HPV-Associated Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.” NCT06747390. More information is available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06747390

Additional information about the Carey lab is available at: https://www.med.upenn.edu/carey-lab/

Selected Publications

Kaki PC, Sangal NR, Lam D, Carey RM, Rajasekaran K, Chalian A, Brody RM, Weinstein GS, Cannady SB: Functional Outcomes of Free Flap Reconstruction After TORS in Early-Stage HPV-Positive Oropharyngeal Cancer Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery : 2025.

Wei K, Hill BL, Miller ZA, Mueller A, Thompson JC, Lee RJ, Carey RM: Bitter Taste Receptor Agonists Induce Apoptosis in Papillary Thyroid Cancer Head & Neck : 2025.

Kaki PC, Patel AM, Brant JA, Cannady SB, Rajasekaran K, Brody RM, Carey RM: Hypoalbuminemia and postoperative outcomes following major salivary gland resection Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology : 2025.

Kaki PC, Patel AM, Brant JA, Cannady SB, Rajasekaran K, Brody RM, Carey RM: The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index and Postoperative Outcomes Following Head and Neck Cancer Resection Head & Neck : 2024.

Tapescu I, Kohler A, Sangal NR, Brant JA, Brody RM, Cao T, Carey RM: Thyroid Malignancies With Thymic Differentiation: Outcomes of Rare SETTLE and CASTLE Tumors Head Neck : 2024.

Huang L, Patel AM, Haleem A, Brant JA, Maxwell R, Brody RM, Carey RM: Missed Adjuvant Therapy in Human Papillomavirus Positive Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Laryngoscope : 2024.

Patel AM, Haleem A, Revercomb L, Brant JA, Kohanski MA, Adappa ND, Palmer JN, Douglas JE, Carey RM: Surgical resection and overall survival in cT4b sinonasal non-squamous cell carcinoma Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology : 2024.

Kaki PC, Patel AM, Maxwell R, Brant JA, Brody RM, Adappa ND, Palmer JN, Douglas JE, Carey RM: Choice of adjuvant radiotherapy facility in sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma Laryngoscope : 2024.

Kaki PC, Patel AM, Revercomb L, Maxwell R, Sun LL, Brant JA, Brody RM, Cannady SB, Carey RM.: Impact of Facility Volume on Overall Survival in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer Undergoing Palliative Treatment American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine : 2024.

Patel AM, Haleem A, Revercomb L, Brant JA, Rajasekaran K, Sun LL, Brody RM, Carey RM: Primary site surgical resection in cM1 oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma. Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology : 2024.

View all publications

Academic Contact Information

Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery
University of Pennsylvania
3400 Spruce Street, 5 Ravdin
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Patient appointments: 800-789-7366