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Scientific Oral Presentations

Professional and Personal Development

Session: Scientific Oral Presentation 1 - Professional and Personal Development

Gender Disparities in Research Leadership: Trending Female Representation in Otolaryngology Clinical Trials

Monday, October 13, 2025
9:30 AM - 9:36 AM EDT
Location: 235-236
Disclosure(s):
Sandhya Ganesan, BS:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Myra A. Zaheer, BA:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Introduction: Clinical trials are essential for advancing evidence-based care in otolaryngology, and principal investigator (PI) roles offer academic promotion opportunities. Although the number of female authors in the otolaryngology literature rose from 28.2% in 2000 to 39.9% in 2015, women remain underrepresented as PIs. This study evaluates trends in female PIs in otolaryngology clinical trials and identifies strategies to advance gender equity in research leadership.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of otolaryngology-related clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. Four independent reviewers extracted data including funding, study type, year, PI gender, and country of origin. PI gender was determined through a web search of professional academic profiles or approximated using previously validated databases. Linear regression models determined the probability of a study being led by a female PI.

Results: 1,105 trials conducted between 1994 and 2025 were included in the analysis. Female researchers comprised 26.8% of all principal investigators, with the greatest representation in pediatrics (38.8%) and the least in facial plastics and reconstructive surgery (FPRS) (7.0%). The odds of a study being led by a female PI significantly increased by 9.15% each year (p < 0.01). Studies across all categories were significantly less likely to have a female than male PI: FPRS (OR=0.13), general ENT (OR=0.54), head & neck (OR=0.45), laryngology (OR=0.59), otology (OR=0.63), and rhinology (OR=0.38).

Conclusions: The upward trend of female PI representation within otolaryngology clinical trials is promising but lags behind female representation in otolaryngology literature. Targeted efforts to promote female representation in research leadership are vital to achieving gender equity.

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Sandhya Ganesan, BS

    Clinical Research Fellow
    Department of Otolaryngology - GW MFA
    New Hyde Park, New York, United States

    Disclosure(s):

    faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

    • Co-Author(s)

  • Sandhya Ganesan, BS

    Clinical Research Fellow
    Department of Otolaryngology - GW MFA
    New Hyde Park, New York, United States

    Disclosure(s):

    faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

  • Myra A. Zaheer, BA

    Medical Student
    George Washington University, School of Medicine & Health Sciences
    Washington, DC, United States

    Disclosure(s):

    faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

  • Leena Y. Zitoun, BS

    Medical Student
    George Washington University, School of Medicine & Health Sciences
    Washington, DC, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.

  • HT

    Henna Tiwary, n/a

    GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.

  • Sarah K. Fangmeyer, DO

    Research Fellow & Medical Assistant
    George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
    Reston, VA, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.

  • Lwam T. Asfaw, B.S.

    Medical Student
    GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences
    Washington, DC, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.

  • PT

    Punam G. Thakkar, MD

    Associate Professor
    George Washington University
    Bethesda, MD, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.

    • Senior Author(s)

  • PT

    Punam G. Thakkar, MD

    Associate Professor
    George Washington University
    Bethesda, MD, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.