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
Poor olfaction and risk of heart failure in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study.
Poor olfaction and risk of heart failure in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2025 Oct 05; 80(11).
PMID: 40929129
Association Between Poor Olfaction and Lower Pulmonary Function in Older Adults.
Association Between Poor Olfaction and Lower Pulmonary Function in Older Adults. Chest. 2026 Mar; 169(3):723-731.
PMID: 40983166
The burden of systemic corticosteroids in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.
The burden of systemic corticosteroids in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. Allergy Asthma Proc. 2025 Sep 01; 46(5):406-413.
PMID: 40958178
Association Between Postoperative Debridement Patterns After Initial Endoscopic Sinus Surgery and Revision Endoscopic Sinus Surgery.
Association Between Postoperative Debridement Patterns After Initial Endoscopic Sinus Surgery and Revision Endoscopic Sinus Surgery. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2025 Oct; 15(10):1156-1159.
PMID: 40879609
The cognitive toll of household air pollution: cross-sectional associations between polluting cooking fuel use, cognitive functions and brain MRI in a rural aging population from Karnataka, India.
The cognitive toll of household air pollution: cross-sectional associations between polluting cooking fuel use, cognitive functions and brain MRI in a rural aging population from Karnataka, India. Lancet Reg Health Southeast Asia. 2025 Aug; 39:100624.
PMID: 40672781
Assessing the Impact of Home Environmental Exposures on Allergic Rhinitis Using Real-Time Air Quality Monitoring and Symptom Assessment: Observational Feasibility Study.
Assessing the Impact of Home Environmental Exposures on Allergic Rhinitis Using Real-Time Air Quality Monitoring and Symptom Assessment: Observational Feasibility Study. JMIR Form Res. 2025 Jun 23; 9:e73215.
PMID: 40550125
The Development and Validation of the Smell-Qx Questionnaire, Based on a Systematic Review of the Literature and the COMET Initiative on the Development of Core Outcome Sets for Clinical Trials in Olfactory Disorders.
The Development and Validation of the Smell-Qx Questionnaire, Based on a Systematic Review of the Literature and the COMET Initiative on the Development of Core Outcome Sets for Clinical Trials in Olfactory Disorders. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2025 Sep; 15(9):974-984.
PMID: 40344493
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 02 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