Elliott Sina, MD
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Professional interests: I'm entering residency intentionally open-minded and genuinely excited to build a strong foundation while exploring all subspecialties within otolaryngology. That said, a few areas within the following subspecialties have especially captured my interest, and I look forward to engaging with them more deeply: Rhinology and skull base (particularly sellar pathology, sinonasal malignancies, and transorbital neuroendoscopic approaches to the skull base), Facial plastics and reconstructive surgery (post-Mohs reconstruction, orbital and periorbital reconstruction, and facial trauma), and Pediatrics (pediatric airway, cleft lip and palate reconstruction).
Hobbies: Biking, hiking, training for triathlons, and attending concerts
What are your favorite things to do in the Denver area: Seeing live music at Red Rocks, road and mountain cycling around the city and in Boulder, exploring new breweries, and finding new hiking and trail running routes in the Rocky Mountains!
What is the biggest strength of our program: I was immediately drawn to the University of Colorado’s Otolaryngology Resident Program for its exceptional surgical training, its unmatched culture among both departmental leadership and the residents, and the department's genuine and clear commitment to resident education both in didactics and in the operating room.
1. Sina, E. M., Limage, K., Anisman, E., Pudik, N., Tam, E., Kahn, C., Daggumati, S., Evans, J., Rabinowitz, M. R., Rosen, M. R., & Nyquist G. Automated Machine Learning Differentiation of Pituitary Macroadenomas and Parasellar Meningiomas Using Preoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery. 2025. DOI: 10.1002/ohn.70034.
2. Sina, E. M., Hambach, B., Mastrolonardo, E., Tekumalla, S., Crippen, M., & Goldman, R. Impact of Intravenous Drug Use on Neck Abscess Outcomes: Readmission Rates & Implications for Otolaryngologists. American Journal of Otolaryngology. 2025. DOI: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2025.104754.
3. Molin, N., Sina, E. M., Creighton, E., Kaki, P., Maurits, B., & Huntley, C., & Baldassari, C. Sleep Education in Otolaryngology Residency Programs: Trends Over the Past Decade. Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery. 2025. DOI: 10.1002/ohn.70008.
4. Sina, E. M., Corr, A. M., Estephan, L., Hunt, P., Boon, M., & Huntley, C. Cost and Efficiency of Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy: Endoscopy Suite Versus Outpatient Surgery Center. The Laryngoscope. 2025. DOI: 10.1002/lary.32183.
5. Campbell, D., Palmer, W., Estephan, L., Samarah, H. Sina, E. M., Aaronson, N., & Parkes, W. Early Surgical Intervention Reduces the Risk of Neuropsychiatric and Learning Disorders in Children With Sleep-Disordered Breathing. The Laryngoscope. 2025. DOI: 10.1002/lary.70205.
6. Sina, E. M., Molin, N., Kaki, P., Ideker, H., White, S., Boon, M., & Huntley, C. Comparative Analysis of DISE-PAP and Therapeutic CPAP in the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. OTO Open. 2025. DOI: 10.1002/lio2.70155.
7. Sina, E. M., Pena, J., Zafar, S., Bommakanti, N., Kuriyan, A., & Yonekawa, Y. Automated Machine Learning Classification of Optical Coherence Tomography Images of Retinal Conditions Using Google Cloud Vertex AI. RETINA: The Journal of Retinal & Vitreous Diseases. 2025. DOI: 10.1097/IAE.0000000000004555.
8. Sina, E. M., Shankar, S., Boon, M., & Huntley, C. Reply to Letter regarding "Risk of Motor Vehicle Accidents in Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Comparative Analysis of CPAP versus Surgery." Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery. 2025. DOI: 10.1002/ohn.1348.
9. Sina, E. M., Robinson, J., Platukus, A., Wride, W., Kaki, P., DeKloe, J., Ideker, H., White, S., Creighton, E., Molin, N., Boon, M., & Huntley, C. Anthropometric Predictors of Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy with Positive Airway Pressure. Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery. 2025. DOI: 10.1002/ohn.70037.
10. Hambach, B., Jena Patel, J., Nunez, K., Sina, E. M., Knops, A., Chiffer, R., Hunter, J. Impact of Implantable Hearing Devices on Delirium Risk in Patients with Hearing Loss: A National Database Study. Otology & Neurotology. 2025. DOI: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000004416.
11. Kaki, P., Goldfarb, J., Snyder, N., Sina, E. M., Kaffenberger, T., Creighton, E., Molin, N., Boon, M., Huntley, C. Changes in Hypoxemia Metrics after Upper Airway Surgery for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery. 2025. DOI: 10.1002/ohn.1182.
12. Sina, E. M., Shankar, S., Boon, M., & Huntley, C. Risk of Motor Vehicle Accidents in Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Comparative Analysis of CPAP versus Surgery. Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery. 2025. DOI: 10.1002/ohn.1131.
13. Garg, N., DeKloe, J., Kumar, A., Xu, V., Dev Amin, D., Sina, E. M., McCann, A., Namocatcat, A., Krein, H., Heffelfinger, R. Pyriform Aperture Expansion: An Adjunct Technique to Functional Nasal Surgery. Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology. 2025. DOI: 10.1177/00034894251364700.
14. Sina, E. M., Rowe, M., Mancuso, G., Garber, G., Kelly, K., & Leader, A. Evaluating the Impact of a Novel Program to Address Acute Food Insecurity among Cancer Patients. Nutrients. 2024. DOI: 10.3390/nu16244408.
15. Sina, E. M., Campbell, D. J., Duffy, A. Mandloi, S., Benedict, P., Farquhar, D., Unsal, A., Nyquist, G. Evaluating ChatGPT as a Patient Education Tool for COVID-19-Induced Olfactory Dysfunction. OTO Open. 2024. DOI: 10.1002/oto2.70011.
16. Kaffenberger, T., Sina, E. M., Hambach, B., Kaki, P., Fuleihan, A., Boon, M., & Huntley, C. How We Measure Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulator Outcome Matters: Titration versus Single Amplitude Efficacy Sleep Studies. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. 2024. DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.11328.
17. Corr, A., Sina, E. M., Creighton, E., Bautista, N., Chandna, M., Boon, M., Huntley, C. Using Post-Activation Adjustment as a Marker for Inferior Outcomes in Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulator Patients. Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery. 2024. DOI: 10.1002/ohn.1100.
18. Mandloi, S., Nunes, K., Sina, E. M., Benedict, P., Kahn, C., Duffy, A., Shing, S., Urdang, Z., Rosen, M., Toskala, E., Rabinowitz M., Nyquist G. Epistaxis Risk in Atrial Fibrillation Patients Treated with Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Versus Oral Anticoagulation: A Multi-National Database Study. The Laryngoscope. 2024. DOI: 10.1002/lary.31949.
19. Campbell D. J., Estephan, L. E., Sina, E. M., Mastrolonardo, E. V., Alapati, R., Amin, D. R., Cottrill, E. Evaluating ChatGPT Queries on Thyroid Nodules for Patient Education. Thyroid. 2023. DOI: 10.1089/thy.2023.0491.
20. Sethi, H. K., Sina, E. M., Mady, L. J., & Fundakowski, C. E. Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for Head and Neck Malignancies Utilizing Simultaneous Radioisotope Gamma Probe and Near Infrared Fluorescence Navigation with Indocyanine Green. Head & Neck. 2023. DOI: 10.1002/hed.27563.
21. Mastrolonardo, E. V., Mann, D. S., Sethi, H. K., Yun, B. H., Sina, E. M., Worster, B., Fundakowski, C. E., & Mady, L. J. Are Perioperative Opioids Associated with Decreased Survival in Resectable Head and Neck Cancer? A Systematic Review. Cancer Medicine. 2023. DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6524.
22. Sina, E. M., Han, C. J., Cottrill, E. Undescended Superior Parathyroid: A Case Report. Clinical Case Reports. 2023. DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.7987.
23. Mamelak, A., Little, A., Gardner, P., Almeida, J. P., Gentili, F., Pranay, S., Jane, J., Barkhoudarian, G., Kelly, D., Dodd, R., Mukherjee, D., Fukuhara, N., Nishoika, H., Kim, E., Litre, C. F., Sina, E. M., Mazer, M. & Bonert, V. A Prospective Multi-Center Observational Study of Surgical Versus Non-Surgical Management for Pituitary Apoplexy. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2023. DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgad541.
ORAL PRESENTATIONS Tam, E., Anisman, E., Sina, E. M., Toskala, E., Rabinowitz, M., Rosen, M., Nyquist, G. Sinonasal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Population-Based Analysis of Prognostic Factors and Contemporary Survival Outcomes. North American Skull Base Society Annual Meeting. San Diego, California. March 2026 [Oral Presentation]. Sina, E. M., Limage, K., Anisman, E., Tam, E., Pudik, N., Kahn, C., Daggumati, S., & Nyquist G. Automated Machine Learning Is Capable of Differentiating Common Sinonasal Malignancies Using Multimodal Preoperative Imaging. American Rhinologic Society, 71st Annual Meeting. Indianapolis, Indiana. October 2025. [Oral Presentation]. Sina, E. M., Limage, K., Tam, E., Daggumati, S., & Nyquist G. Automated Machine Learning Tool for Differentiating Pituitary Adenomas from Parasellar Meningiomas Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging. American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) Annual Meeting. Indianapolis, Indiana. October 2025. [Oral Presentation]. Kim, J., Zheng, E., Seyferth, A. Sina, E. M., Ideker, H., White, S., Huntley, C. Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy and Expansion Sphincter Pharyngoplasty Treatment Outcomes. American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) Annual Meeting. Indianapolis, Indiana. October 2025. [Oral Presentation]. Campbell, D., Palmer, W., Estephan, L., Samarah, H. Sina, E. M., Aaronson, N., & Parkes, W. Early surgical intervention reduces the risk of neuropsychiatric and learning disorders in children with sleep-disordered breathing. Society for Ear, Nose, and Throat Advancement in Children, 53rd Annual Meeting. San Francisco, California. December 2025. [Oral Presentation]. Sina, E. M., Molin, N., Creighton, E., Boon, M., & Huntley, C. Exploring Correlations Between Pharyngeal Opening Pressure, Apnea-Hypopnea Index, and Hypoxic Burden. International Surgical Sleep Society Educational Update. Miami, Florida. September 2024 [Oral Presentation]. Sina, E. M., Shankar, S., Boon, M., & Huntley, C. Risk of Motor Vehicle Accidents in Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Comparative Analysis of CPAP versus Surgery. American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) Annual Meeting. Miami, Florida. September 2024. [Oral Presentation]. Molin, N., Sina, E. M., Boon, M., Huntley, C., & Baldassari, C. Sleep Education in Otolaryngology Residency Training: Trends Over the Past Decade. American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) Annual Meeting. Miami, Florida. September 2024. [Oral Presentation]. Nunes, K., Kaki, P., Llerena, P., Sina, E. M., Amin, D., & Curry, J. M. Recurrent Oropharyngeal Carcinoma following Transoral Robotic Surgery Alone. American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) Annual Meeting. Miami, Florida. September 2024. [Oral Presentation]. Hambach, B., Sina, E. M., Nunez, K., Patel, J., & Hunter, J. Impact of Implantable Hearing Devices on Delirium Risk in Patients with Hearing Loss: A National Database Study. American Otological Society, Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings (COSM). Chicago, Illinois. May 2024. [Oral Presentation]. Garg, N., DeKloe, J., Kumar, A., Amin, D., Xu, V., Sina, E. M., McCann, A., Namocatcat, A. T., Krein, H., & Heffelfinger, R. Pyriform Aperture Expansion: An Adjunct Technique to Functional Nasal Surgery. American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings (COSM). Chicago, Illinois. May 2024. [Oral Presentation]. Sina, E. M., Rowe, M., Mancuso, G., Garber, G., Kelly, K., & Leader, A. Evaluating the Impact of a Program to Address Acute Food Insecurity among Cancer Patients. American Society of Preventive Oncology (ASPO). Chicago, Illinois. March 2024. [Oral Presentation] Sina, E. M., Hambach, B., Mastrolonardo, E., Tekumalla, S., Crippen, M., & Goldman, R. Impact of Intravenous Drug Use on Neck Abscess Outcomes: Readmission Rates & Implications for Otolaryngologists. Sidney Kimmel Medical College Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Research Symposium. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. February 2024. [Oral Presentation]. Campbell, D. J., Mastrolonardo, E., Sina, E. M., & Cottrill, E. Evaluating ChatGPT Queries on Thyroid Nodules for Patient Education. Annual Meeting of the American Thyroid Association (ATA). Washington, DC. September 2023. [Oral Presentation]. Campbell, D. J., Mastrolonardo, E., Phillips, R., Sina, E. M., Amin, D., & Curry, J. Evaluating Laryngectomy YouTube Videos as an Educational Resource for Patients. American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) Annual Meeting. Nashville, Tennessee. September 2023. [Oral Presentation]. Yu, J. S., Takroni, R., Chu, R., Black, K. L., Patil, C., Sina, E. M., Rudnick, J., Hu, J., Chintapalli, R. D., & Mamelak, A. A Phase 2 Study of Fluorescence Detection of Adult Primary Central Nervous System Tumors in Subjects Receiving Tozuleristide and Imaged With the Canvas System. American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) Annual Meeting. Los Angeles, California. April 2023. [Oral Presentation]. Mamelak, A., Little, A., Gardner, P., Almeida, J. P., Gentili, F., Pranay, S., Jane, J., Barkhoudarian, G., Kelly, D., Dodd, R., Mukherjee, D., Fukuhara, N., Nishoika, H., Kim, E., Litre, C. F., Sina, E. M., Mazer, M. & Bonert, V. A Prospective Multi-Center Observational Study of Surgical Versus Non-Surgical Management for Pituitary Apoplexy. American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) Annual Meeting. Los Angeles, California. April 2023. [Oral Presentation]. POSTER PRESENTATIONS Sina, E. M. Shankar, S., Campbell, D., Boon, M., & Huntley, C. Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation Versus CPAP and Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty: A Comparative Analysis of Motor Vehicle Accident Risk in Obstructive Sleep Apnea. International Surgical Sleep Society Educational Update. Indianapolis, Indiana. October 2025 [Poster Presentation]. Sina, E. M., Fuleihan, A., Nisar, A., Crippen, M., Yuan, H., & Cognetti, D. Perioperative Outcomes and Symptom Reduction Following Styloidectomy for Eagle’s Syndrome: A Retrospective Review of 109 Patients. The Triological Society, Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meeting (COSM). New Orleans, Louisiana. May 2025 [Poster Presentation]. Sina, E. M., Estephan, L., Corr, A., Huntley, C., Goldman, R., & Cognetti, D. An Innovative Model for Preclinical Otolaryngology Exposure: Impact of an Externship Program on Career Interest and Understanding of the Specialty. The Triological Society, Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meeting (COSM). New Orleans, Louisiana. May 2025 [Poster Presentation]. Sina, E. M., Platukus, A., Robinson, J., Creighton, E., Molin, N., Boon, M., & Huntley, C. Anthropometric Predictors of Opening Pressures on Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy with Positive Airway Pressure. International Surgical Sleep Society Educational Update. Miami, Florida. September 2024 [Poster Presentation]. Robinson, J., Platukus, A., Sina, E. M., Dekloe, J., Creighton, E., Molin, N., Boon, M., & Huntley, C. Evaluating the Association of Neck Circumference with Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy Findings. International Surgical Sleep Society Educational Update. Miami, Florida. September 2024 [Poster Presentation]. Corr, A. M., Estephan, L., Sina, E. M., Creighton, E., Molin, N., Boon, M., & Huntley, C. Utilization of ChatGPT in the Management of CPAP-Intolerant Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients. International Surgical Sleep Society Educational Update. Miami, Florida. September 2024 [Poster Presentation]. Sina, E. M., Hambach, B., Mastrolonardo, E., Tekumalla, S., Crippen, M., & Goldman, R. Impact of Intravenous Drug Use on Neck Abscess Outcomes: Readmission Rates & Implications for Otolaryngologists. American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) Annual Meeting. Miami, Florida. September 2024. [Poster Presentation]. Sina, E. M., Molin, N., Kaki, P., Boon, M., & Huntley, C. Comparative Analysis of DISE-PAP and Therapeutic CPAP in the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) Annual Meeting. Miami, Florida. September 2024. [Poster Presentation]. Sina, E. M., Mostowy, M. G., Marcus, C. A., Briskin, A., & Carr, M. M. Medical Student Involvement with AAO-HNS Compared to National Specialty and Subspecialty Organizations. American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) Annual Meeting. Miami, Florida. September 2024. [Poster Presentation]. Corr, A. M., Sina, E. M., Estephan, L., Boon, M., & Huntley, C. Improved Efficiency of Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy in the Endoscopy Suite Compared to Outpatient Surgery Center. American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) Annual Meeting. Miami, Florida. September 2024. [Poster Presentation]. Sina, E. M., Campbell, D. J., Duffy, A., Mandloi, S., Benedict, P., Farquhar, D., Unsal A., Nyquist, G. Evaluating ChatGPT as a Patient Education Tool for COVID-19-Induced Olfactory Dysfunction. American Rhinologic Society, Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings (COSM). Chicago, Illinois. May 2024. [Poster Presentation]. Mandloi, S., Nunez, K., Sina, E. M., Benedict, P., Kahn, C., Duffy, A., Shing, S., Urdang, Z., Rosen, M., Toskala, E., Rabinowitz, M., Nyquist, G. Comparison of Epistaxis Odds in Atrial Fibrillation Patients Treated with Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Versus Oral Anticoagulation. American Rhinologic Society, Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings (COSM). Chicago, Illinois. May 2024. [Poster Presentation]. Mandloi, S., Duffy, A., Sina, E. M., Kahn, C., Benedict, P., Shing, S., Urdang, Z., Toskala, E., Rosen, M., Rabinowitz, M., Nyquist, G. Trends in Anosmia Analyzed by SARS-CoV-2 Variant: A Multinational Database Study. American Rhinologic Society, Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings (COSM). Chicago, Illinois. May 2024. [Poster Presentation]. Hambach, B., Sina, E. M., Nunez, K., Patel, J., & Hunter, J. Impact of Implantable Hearing Devices on Delirium Risk in Patients with Hearing Loss: A National Database Study. Sidney Kimmel Medical College Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Research Symposium. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. February 2024. [Poster Presentation]. Sina, E. M., Hambach, B., Kaffenberger, T., Boon, M., Huntley, C. Differences in Utilizing Post-Operative Home Sleep Test versus Titration Polysomnography AHI for Measuring Therapeutic Outcomes in Upper Airway Stimulation Therapy. International Surgical Sleep Society Educational Update. Nashville, Tennessee. September 2023. [Poster Presentation]. Hambach, B., Sina, E. M., Kaffenberger, T., Urdang, Z., Boon, M., Huntley, C. Complications and Demographics of Upper Airway Stimulation Therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A National Database Study. International Surgical Sleep Society Educational Update. Nashville, Tennessee. September 2023. [Poster Presentation]. Mastrolonardo, E. V., Mann, D. S., Sethi, H. K., Yun, B. H., Sina, E. M., Worster, B., Fundakowski, C. E., & Mady, L. J. Are Perioperative Opioids Associated with Decreased Survival in Resectable Head and Neck Cancer? A Systematic Review. American Head & Neck Society (AHNS) International Conference. Montreal, Canada. July 2023. [Poster Presentation]. Sethi, H. K., Sina, E. M., Mady, L. J., & Fundakowski, C. E. Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for Head and Neck Malignancies Utilizing Simultaneous Radioisotope Gamma Probe and Near Infrared Fluorescence Navigation with Indocyanine Green. Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Department of Otolaryngology Research Symposium. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. May 2023. [Poster Presentation].
- AAO - HNS
- International Surgical Sleep Society
- American Rhinologic Society
- 13th Annual Electra Paskett Award for Top-Ranked Abstract, American Society of Preventive Oncology
- The Triological Society Travel Grant Award
- Helen and Gabriel Lavine Award Scholarship
- Dean's Research Award
- Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society (Junior Induction)
- Hobart Amore Hare Medical Honor Society
- Scholarly Inquiry with Distinction Award
- Regents’ & Chancellor’s Scholarship, University of California, Berkeley