Dr. Jeffrey Vrabec joined the faculty of Houston Methodist Hospital as the Division Head of Otology and Neurotology in January 2019. He is a Professor of Otolaryngology, Houston Methodist Academic Institute, Full Clinical Member at Houston Methodist Research Institute and Professor of Otolaryngology at Weill Cornell Medical College. Dr. Vrabec began his academic career as an Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology at the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX and advanced to the rank of Associate Professor. In 2001, he joined the faculty of Baylor College of Medicine, as an Associate Professor and advanced to the rank of Full Professor with tenure in the Division Head of Otology and Neurotology. While at Baylor College of Medicine, Dr. Vrabec served as the Program Director for the Neurotology Fellowship for twelve years.

He has authored or coauthored more than 70 peer reviewed articles on many different topics related to Otology and Neurotology.  Some underlying themes to the publications are effects of neurotrophic viruses, epidemiology of disease and population statistics. His interest in the effects of viruses in neurotological disorders such as delayed onset facial paralysis and Bell palsy led to several grants for the study of herpes viruses in cranial nerve ganglia, which led to publications describing the prevalence and concentration of viral DNA in cranial nerve ganglia. The potential link between HSV1 and Meniere’s disease was the topic of his Triological Society thesis. Subsequent work investigated a genetic link between Menieres disease and a necessary cellular transporter for HSV infection in neurons. His more recent work has focused on the changing epidemiology of otosclerosis and potential effects on the practice of Neurotologists. Dr. Vrabec has participated in research endeavors supported by the NIDICD branch of the NIH and is recognized as a national and international authority of the field of Otology-Neurotology. He is double board certified in Otolaryngology and Neurotology.