Dr. Pinto's research program has three major thematic goals:
1) To understand the effect of aging on sinonasal and sensory disorders
2) To determine how genetics, the environment, and social context (and their interaction) modulate susceptibility to these conditions
3) To use this information to develop and test novel treatments for these and other common conditions of the ear, nose, and throat
He utilizes tools from the fields of demography, genetic epidemiology, genomics, public health and sociology to accomplish these goals. Dr. Pinto's research is funded by the National Institute on Aging and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease.
Research Projects:
Epidemiology of Presbyosmia (Age-Related Olfactory Decline)
We are exploiting data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP) (led by Linda Waite in Sociology), to study the demographic and other non-genetic factors that are associated with olfactory decline in aging. We have identified race as a key factor that is independently associated with olfactory function and demonstrated that anosmia predicts five year all cause mortality in US adults, providing some the first nationally representative data on this condition. We are also examining the rich array of health and social measures available in NSHAP, including state of the art biomeasures to determine underlying biological mechanisms and environmental determinants. Additional members of the Olfactory Research Group (the ORG) include Martha McClintock in Psychology and William Dale in Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, along with statisticians Kristin Wroblewski and Philip Schumm in Public Health Studies.
Genetics of Presbyosmia
We are employing genome wide association studies in a founder population to identify genetic variation that underlies age-related olfactory loss using quantitative trait loci mapping in collaboration with Carole Ober in Human Genetics. We published the first successful linkage study for an olfactory trait in humans and are pursuing other collaborations (David Bennett, Rush University) to identify genetic contributions to this important disorder.
Genetics of Chronic Rhinosinusitis
We are performing state of the art genetic, epigenetic, and genomic studies of CRS as part of the Chronic Rhinosinusitis Integrated Studies Program, a U19 award from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease in collaboration with Northwestern University (Robert Schleimer) and Johns Hopkins University/Geisinger Health System (Brian Schwartz). The project at The University of Chicago, in partnership with Carole Ober, focuses on genetic variation in pathogen response. Our project is the only National Institutes of Health-funded project on the genetics of this disorder.
The Upper Airway Microbiome
We have shown that the microbial ecology in the middle meatus of the sinuses is altered in allergic subjects, potentially predisposing to disease. We have several ongoing investigations into how the sinonasal microbiome predicts physiological changes in both the upper and lower airway, as well as factors that affect its composition and function. Collaborating on these projects are Robert Naclerio and Fuad Baroody in OHNS, along with Carole Ober and Yoav Gilad in Human Genetics.
Rhinology Clinical Trials and Translational Research
The Nasal Physiology Laboratory, a joint endeavor with Robert Naclerio and Fuad Baroody, runs ongoing clinical trials and translational studies of conditions such as allergic and non-allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, nasal polyposis, and other common conditions. Call 773-702-5889 for details on our current projects.
University of Chicago
IL
Research Fellowship - Section of OHNS, Department of Human Genetics, Section of Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine
University of Chicago
IL
Residency - Section of OHNS
University of Chicago
IL
Internship - Department of Surgery
Stanford University School of Medicine
CA
MD
Longitudinal Association of Olfactory Function with Frailty in Older Adults: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study.
Longitudinal Association of Olfactory Function with Frailty in Older Adults: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2025 Mar 07; 80(4).
PMID: 39886987
Cancer Risk and Estimated Lithium Exposure in Drinking Groundwater in the US.
Cancer Risk and Estimated Lithium Exposure in Drinking Groundwater in the US. JAMA Netw Open. 2025 Feb 03; 8(2):e2460854.
PMID: 39976965
Poor Olfaction and Risk of Stroke in Older Adults: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study.
Poor Olfaction and Risk of Stroke in Older Adults: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. Stroke. 2025 Feb; 56(2):465-474.
PMID: 39869711
Variation in Postoperative Debridement Patterns in Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study.
Variation in Postoperative Debridement Patterns in Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2025 Jan 08.
PMID: 39777891
Baseline disease characteristics by surgery history among patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) in the global AROMA registry.
Baseline disease characteristics by surgery history among patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) in the global AROMA registry. Am J Otolaryngol. 2025 Mar-Apr; 46(2):104596.
PMID: 39889367
Household air pollution disparities between socioeconomic groups in Chicago.
Household air pollution disparities between socioeconomic groups in Chicago. Environ Res Commun. 2024 Sep 01; 6(9):091002.
PMID: 39238838
Differing associations of PM2.5 exposure with systolic and diastolic blood pressures across exposure durations in a predominantly non-Hispanic Black cohort.
Differing associations of PM2.5 exposure with systolic and diastolic blood pressures across exposure durations in a predominantly non-Hispanic Black cohort. Sci Rep. 2024 08 31; 14(1):20256.
PMID: 39217205
Contextual Deprivation, Race and Ethnicity, and Income in Air Pollution and Cardiovascular Disease.
Contextual Deprivation, Race and Ethnicity, and Income in Air Pollution and Cardiovascular Disease. JAMA Netw Open. 2024 08 01; 7(8):e2429137.
PMID: 39158908
Types of sensory disability are differentially associated with mental health in older US adults over time.
Types of sensory disability are differentially associated with mental health in older US adults over time. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2024 Sep; 72(9):2770-2781.
PMID: 38944677
Disparities in seeking care for olfactory and gustatory dysfunction: A population analysis.
Disparities in seeking care for olfactory and gustatory dysfunction: A population analysis. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2024 Oct; 14(10):1582-1589.
PMID: 39134502