Dr. Sam J. Daniel
- Professor of Pediatric Surgery and Otolaryngology Â
- Director Pediatric Otolaryngology Â
- Associate Chair of Pediatric SurgeryÂ
- Director McGill Auditory Sciences LaboratoryÂ
- President, Société Internationale Francophone d'ORL (SIFORL)Â
MDCM, FRCSCÂ
Currently supervising students
Pediatric OtolaryngologyÂ
My research focuses on hearing loss related to middle ear disease, and on ototoxicity, or damage to the ear by drugs, chemicals and noise. Our laboratory also develops animal and computer models of known ear diseases in order to increase our understanding of the pathophysiological processes involved and suggest new therapeutic modalities. This includes diseases caused by middle ear abnormalities and ototoxic medication. Hearing loss is particularly important in children, as it affects the development of their language and social skills. At the McGill Auditory Sciences Laboratory, my research team develops models to further the diagnosis and treatment of drug-induced hearing loss. We are exploring ways to prevent platinum otoxicity, the form of hearing loss experienced by cancer patients. The loss is caused by toxic compounds released after exposure to the chemotherapeutic agent. This research will not only improve the quality of life for cancer survivors; it will also reduce restrictions on some of the most powerful agents used to fight cancer. Controlling the adverse side effect of ototoxicity may allow higher treatment doses of chemotherapy, and consequently better patient survival.Â
Hearing loss and ototoxicityÂ
- Basic Science Research: Hearing loss and ototoxicityÂ
- Clinical Research: Pediatric OtolaryngologyÂ
Dr. Sam J. Daniel obtained his MDCM from McGill in 1996, graduating as a member of the Dean’s Honour List and with the J.W. McConnell Scholarship for finishing among the top 5 per cent of the class. He then completed a residency in Otolaryngology (head and neck surgery) at McGill, followed by further postgraduate training in Toronto, completing a Pediatric Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Fellowship at the University of Toronto and The Hospital for Sick Children.Â
Dr. Daniel joined McGill as Assistant Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology in 2003, and was promoted to Full Professor with tenure in the Departments of Otolaryngology and Pediatric Surgery in 2014. Since 2016 he has held the Hugh Hallward Chair (Academics, Research, and Continuing Professional Development), at the Department of Pediatric Surgery. Dr. Daniel has also held the position of Director, Pediatric Otolaryngology for the past 15 years and has been an attending staff at the Montreal Children’s Hospital, the McGill University Health Centre and the Verdun Hospital. In addition, he is an associate member at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte Justine, providing second opinions for inpatients requiring Botox treatments or airway management.Â
Dr. Daniel is a health care leader who has made headlines numerous times. Included among the many nominations and awards that he has received during the course of his career, are Canada’s Top 40 under 40 Award, the Leadership award from the Association of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology and Head and Neck Surgery Quebec in 2019, as well as the Royal College Accredited CPD Provider Innovation Award in 2017, the same year he was elected President of the Conseil québécois du développement professionnel continu des médecins. Most recently, he received the Collège des médecins du Québec’s Distinction de la présidence Médecin spécialiste for his achievements.Â
Dr. Daniel sits on the Board of Directors of the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology, is a member of the executive council and Vice-President of the Canadian Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and is a Member of the European Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology Standing Scientific Committee. He is recognized nationally and internationally for his innovations and contributions in continuing professional development as a senior CPD educator for the Royal College and a member of the Strategic Committee of the Society for Academic Continuing Medical Education.Â
