About

Abigail Pulsipher, PhD, received her doctoral degree in chemistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and completed a Howard Hughes Medical Institute postdoctoral fellowship in chemical glycobiology at the California Institute of Technology. She has directed research and preclinical development of therapeutic solutions at GlycoMira Therapeutics, focusing on improving care and outcomes for patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and evaluating synthetic glycosaminoglycans as cancer supportive care agents. Her research involves elucidating molecular mechanisms in chronic rhinosinusitis, developing minimally invasive diagnostic methods, and creating therapeutic and drug delivery systems for chronic rhinosinusitis and head and neck cancers. Her work also includes the development of diagnostic and prognostic point-of-care tests, integrated omics investigations to define molecular endotypes, and studying epithelial cell dysregulation and mucosal remodeling in airway diseases.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Immunology
• Biology
• Pathology
• Internal medicine
• Pharmacology
• Biomedical engineering
• Surgery
• Cancer research

Selected publications

• Gender Representation on the National Otolaryngology Stage: Leadership Roles and Moderator‐Panelist Trends at Recent Conferences

  Otolaryngology · 2026-02-06

  articleOpen access

  OBJECTIVE: Academic meetings provide opportunities for collaboration and career advancement in the national spotlight. We sought to explore sponsorship opportunities by gender by investigating committee leadership, keynote speakership, and panelist-moderator ratios from prior American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) and Combined Otolaryngology Sections Meeting (COSM) conferences. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional review of publicly available program conferencing. SETTING: Literature review. METHODS: Gender breakdowns of committee leadership and keynote speakerships were recorded from official AAO-HNS conference programming from 2013 to 2021. Panelist-moderator gender ratios were calculated for the AAO-HNS conferences from 2023 to 2024. Society leadership representation and panelist-moderator gender ratios were also investigated from recent COSM conferences between 2018 and 2024 via official programming. RESULTS: Between 2013 and 2021, analyses of the AAO-HNS national conferences determined that women comprised on average of 29.6% of annual directorship roles (range 12.5-37.55), 35.6% of board member positions (26.3%-47.4%), and 25.2% of keynote speaker appointments (0%-40%). Between 2019 and 2023, in COSM, women held on average 23.3% of available society chair/secretary positions and 19.0% of society president roles. The ratio of female:total panelist was positively correlated with female moderators. CONCLUSION: Female representation in AAO-HNS and COSM leadership and keynote speakerships has improved over time in recent years, and appears to be on par with academic otolaryngology workforce composition. However, male moderators presenting panels at both conferences had significantly fewer female panelists versus female moderators. This difference in national panel participation opportunities may impact career advancement and national reputation for female otolaryngologists.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Abstract 4625: Mechanistic insights into the radioprotective action of GM-0111 via CCL5 inhibition and endothelial-immune modulation

  Cancer Research · 2026-04-03

  article

  Abstract Radiation-induced proctitis (RIP) is a painful inflammatory condition of the rectum affecting up to 20% of cancer patients undergoing pelvic radiation. RIP manifests as a broad spectrum of side effects, which may lead to discontinuation of cancer treatment, and surgical intervention. Current therapeutics are merely symptomatic, highlighting the need for new effective prophylactics. We have demonstrated that synthetic glycosaminoglycan, GM-0111, has promising activity in mitigating the tissue-damaging effects of ionizing radiation when administered prophylactically in a murine model of RIP. We found that immune cell infiltration, and rectal tissue expression of CCL5, a potent chemotactic agent for mast cells and other immune cells, and its associated signaling pathways were significantly reduced with GM-0111 compared to irradiated controls. The mechanisms by which GM-0111 interacts with CCL5 and exerts its prophylactic effects against RIP have yet to be elucidated. We therefore performed a series of in vitro studies using immune and endothelial cells implicated in different stages of RIP. As mast cells hyperplasia and activation have been implicated in RIP development, we hypothesized that GM-0111 inhibits mast cell chemotaxis and degranulation, thereby reducing the immunological response resulting from radiation, including immune cell chemotaxis, activation, and viability and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. To test our hypothesis, the effect of GM-0111 treatment on CCL5 secretion and mediated responses was assessed in endothelial cells (HUVECs) and mast cells (P-815 and RBL-2H3). Due to the significant crosstalk between mast cells and macrophages, we also evaluated mast cell degranulation, ROS production, and cell viability using a colorimetric assay, flow cytometry, and quantitative phase imaging. We found that GM-0111 inhibited CCL5-induced chemotaxis with the IC50 of 82 nM. GM-0111 showed strong binding to CCL5 with Kd 3.34 ± 1.21 nM which may play a significant role in inhibiting its chemotactic effect. We also investigated the effect of GM-0111 on CCL5 released from TNF-⍺- and IFN-Ɣ-activated HUVECs, whereby 10 µM GM-0111 caused an 8-fold reduction in CCL5 secretion, suggesting that GM-0111 also interferes with CCL5 production. GM-0111 (10 µM) was found to exert cytoprotective effects on RAW 264.7 cells irradiated with 2.5 Gy and 5 Gy, which may be attributed to decreased ROS production. Collectively, these data demonstrate that GM-0111 exerts coordinated radioprotective effects by attenuating oxidative stress, inhibiting endothelial CCL5 production, and blocking mast cell recruitment. This integrated mechanism positions GM-0111 as a promising prophylactic candidate against radiation-induced injury for supportive cancer care. We would like to acknowledge NIH (5R01CA227225-05) (HG) and NIH (R01CA276653 ) (TAZ) for funding this project. Citation Format: Kholod A. Elhasany, Shukran Alizada, Sushanto Kumar Saha, Thomas A. Zangle, Abigail Pulsipher, Hamid Ghandehari. Mechanistic insights into the radioprotective action of GM-0111 via CCL5 inhibition and endothelial-immune modulation [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2026; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2026 Apr 17-22; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2026;86(7 Suppl):Abstract nr 4625.

  PublisherDOI

• Characterizing air pollution exposure methodologies in rhinology: a scoping review

  International Journal of Environmental Health Research · 2025-03-13 · 1 citations

  reviewOpen access

  ABST RACTCharacterization of air pollution assessment methodologies in rhinologic disease research is lacking. A scoping review was thus conducted to survey exposure methods in studies examining common rhinologic conditions: allergic rhinitis (AR) and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Several medical databases were queried for variables relating to (1) adults with a diagnosis of CRS or AR and (2) air pollution exposure. Data was extracted for pollutants assessed, method of quantifying exposure, assessment of residential stability, inclusion of authors with expertise in environmental exposure assessment, and disease-related outcomes. Thirty-four articles were included for analysis - 16 for AR and 18 for CRS. Fifteen studies originated from East Asia, 10 from North America, and 6 from Europe. The most common pollutant studied was PM2.5 (28 studies), with most studies investigating multiple pollutants. Twenty-one studies used a nearby air monitor to quantify exposure, 9 studies reported whether subjects had residential stability for the period assessed, and 17 studies included authors with climate science background. Timeframes included both acute and chronic exposure. Current methods to quantify air pollution exposure in rhinology vary considerably and inconsistently employ expertise from environmental scientists. Future investigations may benefit from multidisciplinary collaboration, reporting of residential stability, and standardized reporting metrics.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• An eosinophil peroxidase activity assay predicts acute exacerbations in post‐operative chronic rhinosinusitis

  International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology · 2024-05-20 · 3 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  KEY POINTS: EPX activity has been correlated with eCRS diagnosis and baseline disease severity. Herein, EPX activity is shown to correlate with post-operative antibiotic and steroid use in CRS. EPX activity has potential to act as a prognostic biomarker of CRS disease severity and control.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Quantification of Budesonide Retained in the Sinonasal Cavity After High-Volume Saline Irrigation in Post-Operative Chronic Rhinosinusitis

  American Journal of Rhinology and Allergy · 2024-03-08

  articleOpen access

  Background Budesonide high-volume saline irrigations (HVSIs) are routinely used to treat chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) due to improved sinonasal delivery and efficacy compared to intranasal corticosteroid sprays. The off-label use of budesonide is assumed to be safe, with several studies suggesting the systemically absorbed dose of budesonide HVSI is low. However, the actual budesonide dose retained in the sinonasal cavity following HVSI is unknown. The objective of this study was to quantify the retained dose of budesonide after HVSI. Methods Adult patients diagnosed with CRS who had undergone endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) and were prescribed budesonide HVSI were enrolled into a prospective, observational cohort study. Patients performed budesonide HVSI (0.5 mg dose) under supervision in an outpatient clinic, and irrigation effluent was collected. High-performance liquid chromatography was employed to determine the dose of budesonide retained after HVSI. Results Twenty-four patients met inclusion criteria. The average corrected retained dose of budesonide across the cohort was 0.171 ± 0.087 mg (37.9% of administered budesonide). Increased time from ESS significantly impacted the measured retained dose, with those 3 months post-ESS retaining 27.4% of administered budesonide ( P = .0004). Conclusion The retained dose of budesonide in patients with CRS after HVSI was found to be significantly higher than previously estimated and decreased with time post-ESS. Given that budesonide HVSI is a cornerstone of care in CRS, defining the retained dose and the potential systemic implications is critical to understanding the safety of budesonide HVSI.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Chemokine CCL19 and Its Receptors CCR7 and CCRL1 in Chronic Rhinosinusitis

  Journal of Inflammation Research · 2024-05-01 · 1 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Background: CCL19 has been shown to predict disease severity in COVID-19 and treatment response in rheumatoid arthritis. CCL19 can exert both pro- and anti-inflammatory effects and is elevated in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). However, its role in CRS remains unknown. This study sought to determine the transcriptional changes in CCL19, its receptors, and associated cytokines and their association with disease severity in CRS. Methods: A clinical database of control subjects and patients with CRS was examined. Lund-Kennedy, Lund-Mackay, Sinonasal Outcomes Test 22 (SNOT-22), and rhinosinusitis disability index (RSDI) scores were collected at enrollment. mRNA was extracted from sinonasal tissues and subjected to multiplex gene expression analysis. Gene transcript differences between patients with CRS and controls were compared and correlated with disease severity metrics. Immunohistochemical analyses of CCL19, CCR7, and CCRL1 were conducted to compare differences in protein expression between cohorts. A subgroup analysis was performed to compare transcriptional and protein expression difference between patients with (CRSwNP) and without (CRSsNP) nasal polyps and controls. Results: Thirty-eight subjects (control group, n=7; CRS group, n=31) were included in this study. CCRL1 ( p =0.0093) and CCR7 ( p =0.017) levels were significantly elevated in CRS compared to those in controls. CCL19 ( p =0.038) and CCR7 ( p =0.0097) levels were elevated in CRSwNP and CCRL1 was elevated in CRSsNP ( p =0.0004). CCR7 expression was significantly elevated in sinonasal epithelial cells in CRSwNP ( p =0.04). CCL19 expression was positively correlated with TNFA expression ( p < 0.0002). CCL19 and CCR7 expression was positively correlated with SNOT-22 and RSDI scores ( p < 0.05). Conclusion: CCL19 and CCR7 may modulate TNF-α-driven pro-inflammatory signaling and contribute to increased disease severity in CRS. Mechanistic studies are required to further elucidate the role of CCRL1 in CRS. Keywords: chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, chemokines, cytokines, gene expression, protein expression

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Response to the editor regarding “An eosinophil peroxidase activity assay predicts acute exacerbations in post‐operative chronic rhinosinusitis”

  International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology · 2024-07-25 · 1 citations

  letterOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  To the Editor, The authors are appreciative of Dr. Yadav's comments on our recently published study.1 We are grateful for the suggestions to expand research in this area, providing support for our ongoing investigations that seek to ascertain the clinical significance of sinonasal eosinophil peroxidase (EPX) activity as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for detecting active eosinophilic type 2 (T2) inflammation and predicting treatment response in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).1, 2 Our research team has similarly identified the salient points raised as essential next steps to validate our prior findings.1, 2 Several investigations are currently underway and include peroxidase assay optimization to achieve peroxidase specificity for EPX versus myeloperoxidase activity as a marker of active eosinophilic versus neutrophilic inflammation in clinical samples.3 This will enable detection of dominant or mixed endotypes and prompt further evaluation of associated biomarkers.4 A clinical study to evaluate the reliability of sample collection and EPX activity analysis through the use of a novel nasal swab device is also underway. This will allow for reproducibility in biomarker sampling and quantification and ensure accuracy in endotyping. A longitudinal study to correlate pre- and post-operative sinonasal tissue levels of EPX activity to T1-, T2-, and T3-associated cytokine levels, quantify how those levels change in response to surgical and medical interventions in patients with CRS, and correlate these changes to CRS-specific outcomes is ongoing.5-7 These data will support future multi-center studies to evaluate the sinonasal sampling and analysis methodologies in diverse patient populations. We look forward to continuing this research and disseminating our translational findings to the community. Sincerely, University of Utah Rhinology Research Team

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Systemic administration of budesonide in pegylated liposomes for improved efficacy in chronic rhinosinusitis

  Journal of Controlled Release · 2023-06-29 · 8 citations

  articleOpen accessCorresponding
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Vascular permeability in HPV+ oropharyngeal cancers aids in fluorescent image‐guided transoral robotic surgery using indocyanine green

  Head & Neck · 2023-05-09 · 4 citations

  article

  Abstract Background Indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescent image (FI)‐guided surgery has demonstrated success in improving intraoperative visualization and tumor resections. The objectives were to evaluate the use of IGC in FI‐guided transoral robotic surgery (TORS) and the underlying molecular mechanism. Methods HPV+ oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCCa) patient ( n = 10) undergoing TORS were enrolled in this prospective study. Participants received intravenous ICG. Excised tissues were evaluated for ICG accumulation, tumor demarcation, and pathological characteristics using In‐vivo imaging system (IVIS), histology, and RNA sequencing. Results ICG accumulation was significantly increased in primary tumor and pathological lymph nodes compared with normal tissues ( p &lt; 0.001). IVIS was 91.3% accurate in identifying OPSCCa in excised tissues; the correlation between IVIS‐ and histologically determined tumor tissues was significant ( R 2 = 0.8301; p = 0.001). Genes associated with vascular and angiogenic signaling pathways were significantly upregulated in OPSCCa tissues. Conclusion ICG effectively demarcates tumor margins in OPSCCa, due to the increased upregulation of genes associated with vascular permeability.

  PublisherDOI

• Matrix-Mediated Delivery of Silver Nanoparticles for Prevention of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm Formation in Chronic Rhinosinusitis

  Pharmaceutics · 2023-10-05 · 17 citations

  articleOpen access

  Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a chronic health condition affecting the sinonasal cavity. CRS-associated mucosal inflammation leads to sinonasal epithelial cell death and epithelial cell barrier disruption, which may result in recurrent bacterial infections and biofilm formation. For patients who fail medical management and elect endoscopic sinus surgery for disease control, bacterial biofilm formation is particularly detrimental, as it reduces the efficacy of surgical intervention. Effective treatments that prevent biofilm formation in post-operative patients in CRS are currently limited. To address this unmet need, we report the controlled release of silver nanoparticles (AgNps) with silk-elastinlike protein-based polymers (SELPs) to prevent bacterial biofilm formation in CRS. This polymeric network is liquid at room temperature and forms a hydrogel at body temperature, and is hence, capable of conforming to the sinonasal cavity upon administration. SELP hydrogels demonstrated sustained AgNp and silver ion release for the studied period of three days, potent in vitro antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (**** p &lt; 0.0001) and Staphylococcus aureus (**** p &lt; 0.0001), two of the most commonly virulent bacterial strains observed in patients with post-operative CRS, and high cytocompatibility with human nasal epithelial cells. Antibacterial controlled release platform shows promise for treating patients suffering from prolonged sinonasal cavity infections due to biofilms.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Recent grants

• A Novel Glycosaminoglycan-Based Therapeutic for Chronic Rhinosinusitis

  NIH · $4.4M · 2016–2024

• A Novel Glycosaminoglycan-Based Therapeutic for Chronic Rhinosinusitis

  NIH · $298k · 2016–2018

Frequent coauthors

• Muhammad N. Yousaf

  33 shared

• Jeremiah A. Alt

  University of Utah

  29 shared

• Wei Luo

  Jinan University

  19 shared

• Debjit Dutta

  National Institute of Technology Arunachal Pradesh

  18 shared

• Glenn D. Prestwich

  11 shared

• Kristine A. Smith

  University of Utah

  9 shared

• Thomas P. Kennedy

  Tulane University

  9 shared

• Hamidreza Ghandehari

  University of Utah

  8 shared

Education

• Ph.D.

  University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill