Harshita Pant

Adelaide Medical School

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.

My Research
Career
Publications
Grants and Funding
Teaching
Supervision
Contact

Dr Harshita Pant is a practising ear, nose & throat surgeon (otorhinolaryngologist) sub-specialising in rhinology and skull base surgery, with a strong research focus into the causes and treatments of chronic rhinosinusitis and head and neck cancers. She is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Adelaide and Clinical Lead of the Allergy and Cancer Immunology Laboratory at the Centre of Cancer Biology.

Patients suffering from chronic mucosal airway inflammation (allergies, sinusitis, nasal polyps and asthma) and mucosal cancer (squamous cell head and neck cancer) have a diverse range of disease severity and prognosis. Eosinophils are found in large numbers in these diseases and are believed to underpin disease pathology. Until recently, eosinophils were believed to consist of a single homogeneous population. A/Prof Pant’s research team has now made the important discovery that eosinophils from nasal polyp patients are transcriptionally diverse, which strongly suggests distinct eosinophil subpopulations involved in airway diseases. Supporting this notion, and contrary to current belief, eosinophils in the tissues of patients with nasal polyps and asthma do not always signify a poorer prognosis, indicating that some eosinophil populations were not harmful and in fact, may be beneficial. Deciphering eosinophil subtypes may be a better and a more precise way of selecting treatment-resistant asthma and nasal polyp patients in need for new treatments including add-on precision monoclonal antibody therapy.

A/Prof Pant’s research has already developed new paradigms of mast cells responses in allergic inflammation ( J Exp Med 2017; Immunity 2019) and now seeks to better understand the relationships and cell-to-cell crosstalk between eosinophils, mast cells and other immune cells in the inflammatory and tumour microenvironment. With concurrent studies in in-vitro epithelial cell models, humanised mouse models and asthma models (Allergy 2020), she is improving our understanding of how viruses and fungi cause epigenetic changes in susceptible individuals. A/Prof Pant recognises that diseases are not compartmentalised to one system or a single biological process, and that the prognosis and response to therapy is unique to individual patients (invited review in J Allergy and Clin Immunol, in press).

Similarly, in head and neck cancer patients she is exploring new ways of immunomodulation to prevent local and systemic spread, recurrence and early detection. To this end, her research team incorporates the clinical expertise spanning ENT surgery, respiratory, immunology, oncology, pathology, microbiology and clinical pharmacology.

If you are interested in changing the lives of patients with head & neck cancer, chronic airway inflammation, allergy or immune disorders please contact A/Prof Pant. Her research team has exciting opportunities integrating clinical and laboratory research in a supportive environment for Honours, Masters and PhD students.

Appointments

Date Position Institution name
2016 - ongoing Clinical Associate Professor University of Adelaide
Education

Date Institution name Country Title
The Flinders University of South Australia Australia BMBS
The University of Adelaide Australia PhD
Postgraduate Training

Date Title Institution Country
FRACS Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Australia
Clinical Instructor The University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre United States
Research Interests

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Immunology Otorhinolaryngology Respiratory Diseases Tumour Immunology Cancer Biology and Clinical Oncology Cardiac, Respiratory and Vascular Health Indigenous and Disadvantaged Health Innovative Therapeutics Surgical and Health Systems Innovation

Date	Position	Institution name
2016 - ongoing	Clinical Associate Professor	University of Adelaide

Date	Institution name	Country	Title
	The Flinders University of South Australia	Australia	BMBS
	The University of Adelaide	Australia	PhD

Date	Title	Institution	Country
	FRACS	Royal Australasian College of Surgeons	Australia
	Clinical Instructor	The University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre	United States

Journals

Year	Citation
2023	Yip, K. H., Chao, J., Coolen, C., Pant, H., Kral, A., Smith, W., . . . Tumes, D. J. (2023). IgE receptor of mast cells signals mediator release and inflammation via adaptor protein 14-3-3ζ. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 152(3), 725-735.e10. DOI
2022	Yip, K. H., McKenzie, D., Ramshaw, H. S., Chao, J., McClure, B. J., Raquet, E., . . . Tumes, D. J. (2022). Targeting the human βc Receptor inhibits contact dermatitis in a transgenic mouse model. The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 142(4), 1103-1113. DOI Scopus2 WoS2 Europe PMC2
2022	Pant, H., Hercus, T. R., Tumes, D. J., Yip, K. H., Parker, M. W., Owczarek, C. M., . . . Huston, D. P. (2022). Translating the biology of β common receptor-engaging cytokines into clinical medicine. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 151(2), 324-344. DOI Scopus1 WoS1
2021	De Silva, A. P., Schembri, M. A., Sarah, A. H., Chao, J., Yip, K. H., Cildir, G., . . . Pant, H. (2021). Short-term Oral Steroids Significantly Improves Chronic Rhinosinusitis Without Nasal Polyps. Laryngoscope, 131(10), E2618-E2626. DOI Scopus3 WoS2
2021	Cildir, G., Yip, K. H., Pant, H., Tergaonkar, V., Lopez, A. F., & Tumes, D. J. (2021). Understanding mast cell heterogeneity at single cell resolution. Trends in Immunology, 42(6), 523-535. DOI Scopus15 WoS15 Europe PMC11
2021	Tran, H. B., Hamon, R., Jersmann, H., Ween, M. P., Asare, P., Haberberger, R., . . . Hodge, S. J. (2021). AIM2 nuclear exit and inflammasome activation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and response to cigarette smoke. Journal of Inflammation-London, 18(1), 1-13. DOI Scopus6 WoS6 Europe PMC5
2020	Yip, K. H., Wilson, N. J., Pant, H., Brown, C. L., Busfield, S., Ng, M., . . . Owczarek, C. M. (2020). Anti-βc mAb CSL311 inhibits human nasal polyp pathophysiology in a humanized mouse xenograft model. Allergy, 75(2), 475-478. DOI Scopus8 WoS7 Europe PMC3
2019	Cildir, G., Toubia, J., Yip, K. H., Zhou, M., Pant, H., Hissaria, P., . . . Tergaonkar, V. (2019). Genome-wide analyses of chromatin state in human mast cells reveal molecular drivers and mediators of allergic and inflammatory diseases. Immunity, 51(5), 949-965. DOI Scopus32 WoS32 Europe PMC21
2019	Tumes, D., Hirahara, K., Papadopoulos, M., Shinoda, K., Onodera, A., Kumagai, J., . . . Nakayama, T. (2019). Ezh2 controls development of natural killer T cells, which cause spontaneous asthma-like pathology. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 144(2), 549-560.e10. DOI Scopus19 WoS17 Europe PMC8
2019	Yip, K. H., Papadopoulos, M., Pant, H., & Tumes, D. J. (2019). The role of invariant T cells in inflammation of the skin and airways. Seminars in Immunopathology, 41(3), 401-410. DOI Scopus9 WoS9 Europe PMC5
2018	Pant, H. (2018). Frontier Knowledge and Novel Therapeutic Modalities for Rhinologic Disease. American Journal of Rhinology and Allergy, 32(4), 205-207. DOI
2017	Cildir, G., Pant, H., Lopez, A., & Tergaonkar, V. (2017). The transcriptional program, functional heterogeneity, and clinical targeting of mast cells. Journal of Experimental Medicine, 214(9), 2491-2506. DOI Scopus72 WoS68 Europe PMC45
2016	Pant, H., & Snyderman, C. H. (2016). Hemostasis in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America, 49(3), xix-xx. DOI Scopus2 WoS2 Europe PMC2
2016	Snyderman, C. H., & Pant, H. (2016). Endoscopic Management of Vascular Sinonasal Tumors, Including Angiofibroma. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America, 49(3), 791-807. DOI Scopus14 WoS10 Europe PMC6
2016	Pant, H. (2016). Hemostasis in Endoscopic Sinus Surgery. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America, 49(3), 655-676. DOI Scopus21 WoS18 Europe PMC8
2014	Pant, H., Hughes, A., Schembri, M., Miljkovic, D., & Krumbiegel, D. (2014). CD4<sup>+</sup> and CD8<sup>+</sup> regulatory T cells in chronic rhinosinusitis mucosa.. American journal of rhinology & allergy, 28(2), 83-89. DOI Europe PMC4
2014	Pant, H., Hughes, A., Schembri, M., Miljkovic, D., & Krumbiegel, D. (2014). CD4+and CD8+ regulatory T cells in chronic rhinosinusitis mucosa. American Journal of Rhinology and Allergy, 28(2), E83-E89. DOI Scopus34 WoS31 Europe PMC19
2014	Pant, H., & Macardle, P. (2014). CD8(+) T cells implicated in the pathogenesis of allergic fungal rhinosinusitis. Allergy & Rhinology, 5(3), e146-e156. DOI Europe PMC6
2013	Pant, H., Hughes, A., Miljkovic, D., Schembri, M., Wormald, P., Macardle, P., . . . Krumbiegel, D. (2013). Accumulation of effector memory CD8⁺ T cells in nasal polyps. American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy, 27(5), 117-126. DOI Scopus31 WoS30 Europe PMC18
2013	Gardner, P., Tormenti, M., Pant, H., Fernandez-Miranda, J., Snyderman, C., & Horowitz, M. (2013). Carotid artery injury during endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery: incidence and outcomes. Neurosurgery, 73(SUPPL. 2), 261-269. DOI Scopus134 WoS124 Europe PMC59
2013	Boase, S., Jervis-Bardy, J., Cleland, E., Pant, H., Tan, L., & Wormald, P. (2013). Bacterial-induced epithelial damage promotes fungal biofilm formation in a sheep model of sinusitis. International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology, 3(5), 341-348. DOI Scopus25 WoS21 Europe PMC18
2013	Boase, S., Foreman, A., Cleland, E., Tan, L., Melton-Kreft, R., Pant, H., . . . Wormald, P. (2013). The microbiome of chronic rhinosinusitis: culture, molecular diagnostics and biofilm detection. BMC Infectious Diseases, 13(210), 1-9. DOI Scopus184 WoS170 Europe PMC126
2013	Pant, H., Ferguson, B., Hughes, A., & Schembri, M. (2013). Confounding factors in rhinological research. Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, 21(3), 282-292. DOI Scopus3 WoS3 Europe PMC3
2013	Prokopakis, E., Vlastos, I., Pant, H., & Ferguson, B. (2013). Chronic rhinosinusitis: observation or treatment. Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 13(1), 31-36. DOI Scopus12 WoS11 Europe PMC6
2010	Rao, V., Lambert, P., Pant, H., & O'Reilly, M. (2010). 'Speaking valve' aspiration in a laryngectomy patient. Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, 38(1), 197-200. DOI Scopus12 Europe PMC8
2010	Robison, J., Pant, H., & Ferguson, B. (2010). Rhinitis medicamentosa as a cause of increased intraoperative bleeding. Laryngoscope, 120(10), 2106-2107. DOI Scopus4 WoS3 Europe PMC2
2010	Bhatki, A., Pant, H., Snyderman, C., Carrau, R., Gardner, P., Prevedello, D., & Kassam, A. (2010). The expanded endonasal approach for the treatment of anterior skull base tumors. Operative Techniques in Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, 21(1), 66-73. DOI Scopus8
2010	Bhatki, A., Pant, H., Snyderman, C., Carrau, R., Kassam, A., Prevedello, D., & Gardner, P. (2010). Reconstruction of the cranial base after endonasal skull base surgery: Local tissue flaps. Operative Techniques in Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, 21(1), 74-82. DOI Scopus13
2010	Synderman, C., Pant, H., Carrau, R., & Gardner, P. (2010). A new endoscopic staging system for angiofibromas. Archives of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, 136(6), 588-594. DOI Scopus102 WoS80 Europe PMC50
2010	Pant, H., Bhatki, A., Snyderman, C., Vescan, A., Carrau, R., Gardner, P., . . . Kassam, A. (2010). Quality of life following endonasal skull base surgery. Skull Base, 20(1), 35-40. DOI Scopus157
2010	Bhatki, A., Pant, H., Snyderman, C., Carrau, R., Kassam, A., Prevedello, D., & Gardner, P. (2010). Reconstruction of the cranial base following endonasal skull base surgery: regional tissue flaps. Operative Techniques in Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, 21(1), 83-90. DOI Scopus10
2010	Rao Kadam, V., Lambert, P., Pant, H., & O'Reilly, M. (2010). Aspiration of a "speaking valve" or tracheo-oesophageal valve - Reply. Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, 38(4), 777-778.
2009	Pant, H., Ferguson, B., & Macardle, P. (2009). The role of allergy in rhinosinusitis. Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, 17(3), 232-238. DOI Scopus35 WoS32 Europe PMC25
2009	Ferguson, B., Pant, H., & Otto, B. (2009). When surgery, antibiotics, and steroids fail to resolve chronic rhinosinusitis. Immunology and Allergy Clinics of North America, 29(4), 719-732. DOI Scopus35 Europe PMC25
2009	Pant, H., Snyderman, C., Bhatki, A., Caicedo, E., Carrau, R., Gardner, P., . . . Kassam, A. (2009). Quality of Life Following Endonasal Skull Base Surgery. Skull Base, 19(03). DOI
2009	Pant, H., Prevedello, D., Gardner, P., Snyderman, C., Carrau, R., & Kassam, A. (2009). Management of Injury to the Internal Carotid Artery and Its Branches during Endoscopic Cranial Base Surgery. Skull Base, 19(03). DOI
2009	Bhatki, A., Pant, H., Snyderman, C., Carrau, R., Prevedello, D., Gardner, P., & Kassam, A. (2009). Endoscopic Endonasal Resection of Nasal Dermoid Cysts Involving the Anterior Skull Base. Skull Base, 19(03). DOI
2009	Pant, H., Snyderman, C., Prevedello, D., Gardner, P., Carrau, R., & Kassam, A. (2009). Endoscopic Resection of Giant Angiofibromas with Intracranial Extension: A Staged Approach. Skull Base, 19(03). DOI
2009	Pant, H., Beroukas, D., Kette, F., Smith, W., Wormald, P., & Macardle, P. (2009). Nasal polyp cell populations and fungal-specific peripheral blood lymphocyte proliferation in allergic fungal sinusitis. American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy, 23(5), 453-460. DOI Scopus29 WoS23 Europe PMC16
2009	Pant, H., Schembri, M., Wormald, P., & Macardle, P. (2009). IgE-mediated fungal allergy in allergic fungal sinusitis. Laryngoscope, 119(6), 1046-1052. DOI Scopus33 WoS29 Europe PMC21
2009	Snyderman, C., Pant, H., Carrau, R., Prevedello, D., Gardner, P., & Kassam, A. (2009). What are the limits of endoscopic sinus surgery?: The expanded endonasal approach to the skull base. Keio Journal of Medicine, 58(3), 152-160. DOI Scopus181 Europe PMC99
2006	Pant, H., Kette, F., Smith, W., Macardle, P., & Wormald, P. (2006). Eosinophilic mucus chronic rhinosinusitis: Clinical subgroups or a homogeneous pathogenic entity?. Laryngoscope, 116(7), 1241-1247. DOI Scopus45 WoS41 Europe PMC31
2005	Pant, H., Kette, F., Smith, W., Wormald, P., & Macardle, P. (2005). Fungal-specific humoral response in eosinophilic mucus chronic rhinosinusitis. Laryngoscope, 115(4), 601-606. DOI Scopus78 WoS68 Europe PMC44

Book Chapters

Year	Citation
2018	Snyderman, C., Gardner, P., & Pant, H. (2018). Juvenile Angiofibroma. In E. Myers, & C. Snyderman (Eds.), Operative Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery (3 ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences.
2014	Pant, H., Snyderman, C., Tyler-Kabara, E., Pinheiro-Neto, C., Koutourousiou, M., Fernandez-Miranda, J., . . . Gardner, P. (2014). Pediatric Skull Base Surgery. In C. Bluestone, & J. Simons (Eds.), Bluestone and Stool's Pediatric Otolaryngology (pp. 1919-1942). PMPH-USA.
2012	Snyderman, C. H., Pant, H., Kassam, A. B., Carrau, R. L., Prevedello, D. M., & Gardner, P. A. (2012). The learning curve for endonasal surgery of the cranial base: a systematic approach to training. In A. B. Kassam, & P. A. Gardner (Eds.), Endoscopic approaches to the skull base (Vol. 26, pp. 222-231). Karger. DOI Scopus3
2012	Snyderman, C. H., Pant, H., Gardner, P. A., Carrau, R. L., Prevedello, D. M., & Kassam, A. B. (2012). Management of complications of endonasal cranial base surgery. In A. B. Kassam, & P. A. Gardner (Eds.), Endoscopic Approaches to the Skull Base (Vol. 26, pp. 182-190). Karger. DOI Scopus2
2010	Seethala, R. R., & Pant, H. (2010). Pathology of nasal polyps. In Nasal Polyposis: Pathogenesis, Medical and Surgical Treatment (pp. 17-26). Springer Berlin Heidelberg. DOI Scopus5
2010	Seethala, R. R., & Pant, H. (2010). Pathology of nasal polyps. In Nasal Polyposis: Pathogenesis, Medical and Surgical Treatment (pp. 17-26). Springer Berlin Heidelberg. DOI Scopus5
2010	Ferguson, B. J., Rizk, H., Ramakrishnan, J., & Pant, H. (2010). Categorization of nasal polyps. In T. M. Önerci, & B. J. Ferguson (Eds.), Nasal polyposis: pathogenesis, medical and surgical treatment (pp. 103-110). Springer-Verlag. DOI Scopus3
2010	Weitzel, E. K., Pant, H., Thwin, M., & Wormald, P. J. (2010). Nasal polyposis: aggressive sinus marsupialization including the endoscopic modified lothrop procedure. In T. M. Önerci, & B. J. Ferguson (Eds.), Nasal polyposis: pathogenesis, medical and surgical treatment (pp. 289-296). Springer Berlin Heidelberg. DOI

Conference Papers

Year	Citation
2018	Wilson, N. J., Yip, K., Woodman, N., Ng, M., Alhamdoosh, M., Pant, H., . . . Owczarek, C. M. (2018). Novel therapeutic anti-beta common monoclonal antibody, csl311, affects gene transcriptional pathways contributing to the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. In ALLERGY Vol. 73 (pp. 31). Munich, GERMANY: WILEY.

Conference Items

Year	Citation
2017	Owczarek, C. M., Yip, K. -H., Pant, H., Vairo, G., Lopez, A., Nash, A. D., . . . Grimbaldeston, M. A. (2017). Novel Therapeutic Mab Csl311 For Treatment Of Chronic RhINOSinusitis With Nasal Polyps. Poster session presented at the meeting of AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE. Washington, DC: AMER THORACIC SOC.
2016	Owczarek, C. M., Grimbaldeston, M., Dhagat, U., Panousis, C., Gauvreau, G. M., Sehmi, R., . . . Wilson, N. (2016). Novel Anti-beta c Receptor Antibody Targets Multiple Effector Cell Populations In Human Nasal Polyps Transplanted Into Immunodeficient Transgenic Human Interleukin-3 (il-3)/granulocyte-Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor (gm-Csf) Knock-In Mice. Poster session presented at the meeting of AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE. San Francisco, CA: AMER THORACIC SOC.

Year

Citation

2017

Owczarek, C. M., Yip, K. -H., Pant, H., Vairo, G., Lopez, A., Nash, A. D., . . . Grimbaldeston, M. A. (2017). Novel Therapeutic Mab Csl311 For Treatment Of Chronic RhINOSinusitis With Nasal Polyps. Poster session presented at the meeting of AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE. Washington, DC: AMER THORACIC SOC.

2016

Owczarek, C. M., Grimbaldeston, M., Dhagat, U., Panousis, C., Gauvreau, G. M., Sehmi, R., . . . Wilson, N. (2016). Novel Anti-beta c Receptor Antibody Targets Multiple Effector Cell Populations In Human Nasal Polyps Transplanted Into Immunodeficient Transgenic Human Interleukin-3 (il-3)/granulocyte-Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor (gm-Csf) Knock-In Mice. Poster session presented at the meeting of AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE. San Francisco, CA: AMER THORACIC SOC.

NHMRC Ideas Grant (2021-2024) Chief Investigator C. Other investigators: Prof Angel Lopez; Dr Damon Tumes; Dr Luciano Martelotto; Dr Nicholas Wilson Resolving eosinophil and inflammatory heterogeneity in chronic allergic airway disease for safer, effective and lasting precision therapies. Value: $AUD 1,166165.00

NHMRC Project Grant (2017-2019) with Prof. Angel Lopez; A/Prof. Michele Grimbaldeston. Novel approaches to control mast cell function in allergic inflammation. Value: $AUD 723,447.00

Channel 7 Children's Research Foundation (2022-2024) with Dr Damon Tumes; Anita Kral. Does airway epithelial progenitor cell reprogramming by viral and bacterial infections cause childhood asthma? Value: $99,188.00

Garnett Passe and Rodney Williams Memorial Foundation Junior Fellowship (2022) Dr Carly Whyte. Defining the therapeutic potential of eosinophils in head and neck cancer.

Years 4 and 5

Year 5 School of Medicine Teaching Series (2012 to current): ENT teaching
Year 4 Surgical home unit (2012 to current) ENT teaching
Year 4/5 Coordinator (2018)
School of Medicine Teaching Series Coordinator (2012-2018)

Adelaide University Surgical Society

Beneath the Scrubs event mentor: Professionalism, respect, inclusivity and diversity in medicine/surgery. Health care for professionals.

Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

Date	Role	Research Topic	Program	Degree Type	Student Load	Student Name
2023	Principal Supervisor	Immunological determinants of head and neck cancer progression and metastasis, in particular the role of cancer associated fibroblasts	Master of Philosophy (Surgery)	Master	Full Time	Miss Laura Kenyon

Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

Date	Role	Research Topic	Program	Degree Type	Student Load	Student Name
2010 - 2012	Co-Supervisor	The Environment and the Host in Chronis Rhinosinusitis	Doctor of Philosophy	Doctorate	Full Time	Dr Samuel Joseph Boase

Other Supervision Activities

Date	Role	Research Topic	Location	Program	Supervision Type	Student Load	Student Name
2021 - ongoing	Co-Supervisor	Therapeutic potential of eosinophils in head and neck cancer	The University of South Australia	-	Postdoctorate	-	Dr Carly Whyte
2020 - ongoing	Co-Supervisor	Deciphering how airway epithelial programming and inflammation cause chronic allergic airways disease	The University of South Australia	PhD	Doctorate	Part Time	Anita Kral
2018 - 2018	Principal Supervisor	Single cell transcriptional analysis of nasal polyps: a novel approach to the molecular basis of disease	The University of Adelaide	MBBS	Honours	Full Time	Angus Sarah

Email: harshita.pant@adelaide.edu.au

Harshita Pant

Appointments

Education

Postgraduate Training

Research Interests