Carolyn P. Ojano-Dirain, Ph.D.
Meet the Researcher
Carolyn Ojano-Dirain, Ph.D. received a B.S. in animal nutrition from the University of the Philippines in Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines, in 1997. In 2002, Ojano-Dirain received a M.S. in poultry nutrition and in 2006, a Ph.D. in cell and molecular biology, both from the University of Arkansas. Ojano-Dirain’s postdoctoral training in mitochondrial metabolism and gene therapy was at the Department of Medicine at the University of Florida and she is currently a faculty member in the Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Florida.
The Research
University of Florida College of Medicine
Prevention of aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss with the mitochondria-targeted antioxidant MitoQ
Aminoglycoside antibiotics, such as gentamicin, are commonly used to treat serious infections due to bacteria. However, these drugs can cause hearing loss. At present, there is no solution to prevent hearing loss caused by aminoglycoside antibiotics. This research will determine if the antioxidant MitoQ will prevent hearing loss induced by aminoglycoside antibiotics.
Research area: Hearing loss, Ototoxicity
Long-term goal of research: To develop and apply practicable intervention strategies to prevent hearing loss induced by drugs that are toxic to the inner ear.