Bio-X Affiliated Faculty

Dr. Valdez's group's research focuses in improving our diagnostic ability in common pediatric infectious and inflammatory conditions through optics.

Clinically, Dr. Valdez has an interest in airway surgery and swallowing disorders. He has a special interest in the management of sinus disease in cystic fibrosis. Dr. Valdez continues his clinical research in these areas, particularly with a focus on aerodigestive disorders.

Scientifically, Dr. Valdez has developed various imaging methods to diagnose otitis media and cholesteatoma, a middle ear condition that can lead to hearing loss. He was part of the Laser Biomedical Research Center at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His research includes novel imaging modalities to better diagnose ear infections one of the most common pediatric problems. His research has now expanded to include better intraoperative imaging modalities in pediatric patients to improve surgical outcomes without the need for radiation exposure.

Dr. Valdez believes in the multi-disciplinary collaborations to tackle medical problems and has co-invented various medical devices and surgical simulation models.