CUAFA President Dr. Anil K. Lalwani Receives 2026 ARO Innovator Award in Clinical Science

CUAFA President Anil K. Lalwani, M.D., has been selected as a recipient of the 2026 Innovator Award in Clinical Science from the Association for Research in Otolaryngology (ARO). This prestigious honor recognizes Dr. Lalwani’s groundbreaking work advancing the understanding and treatment of hearing disorders, as well as his exemplary leadership in clinical and academic medicine.

Dr. Lalwani serves as Associate Dean for Student Research, University Senator, Professor and Vice Chair for Research, and Co-Director of the Columbia Cochlear Implant Center in the Department of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. He is also the Medical Director of Perioperative Services at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center.

Dr. Lalwani’s career is marked by innovation and leadership in hearing research. His NIH-funded work has advanced the understanding of genes critical for hearing and pioneered gene transfer and microneedle technologies for the inner ear delivery. A prolific scholar with over 280 publications and an h-index of 74, he has also served as president of several national professional societies, including the American Neurotology Society and the American Auditory Society.

The ARO will formally recognize Dr. Lalwani and other 2026 Honorific Award recipients at the ARO MidWinter Meeting, to be held February 9, 2026, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.