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About Us: Translational Ear Physiology Laboratory & Team

About Us: Translational Ear Physiology Laboratory & Team

About us: 

The Translational Ear Physiology Lab, based in the Department of Physiology at the University of Auckland, conducts laboratory-based research on inner ear and auditory physiology. We generate unique biomedical knowledge with clear clinical relevance and long-term purpose to improve hearing health. Our team collaborates with physicists, neurotologists, and Kaupapa Māori experts across Aotearoa to advance solutions for sensorineural hearing loss.

What our team indicated in the survey as important for us as the team. (2025)

Vision: 

To enable better hearing health for future generations by creating innovative biomedical solutions for diagnosing and treating inner ear disorders — from Aotearoa, to the world.

Mission:

We generate new biomedical knowledge of the inner ear with a clear focus on clinical relevance and pathways to impact.

Goals:

  • Stay at the forefront of science: Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the field and identify research gaps by reading literature, sharing insights in lab meetings, and engaging in seminars/conferences.
  • Produce quality science: Conduct rigorous, innovative experiments with focused effort, clear communication, and mutual support, while seeking creative solutions to challenges.
  • Ensure clinical and community relevance: Track clinical literature and nurture collaborations with clinicians, communities, and partners to maximise translational impact.

Strategy

  • Parallel models & boutique approach: Leverage clinically relevant large animal models in parallel with human tissues, applying molecular, physiological, and imaging techniques to generate insights that cannot be achieved by one approach alone.
  • Growth: Continually expand our individual and collective expertise to collaborate effectively across disciplines — from physics to neurotology to Kaupapa Māori health — bringing fresh perspectives into our research.
  • Unique project edge: Design and execute focused projects with clear novelty and a translational pathway, ensuring each project has a distinctive contribution that advances the field.

Values: 

  • Safety: We foster a safe environment for learning, growth, and well-being.
  • Transparency: We commit to clear communication, fairness, and openness.
  • Respect: We respect each other, our collaborators, and the communities we serve.
  • Growth & Autonomy: We support continuous learning and empower each other to explore, take initiative, and develop unique strengths.
  • Fun & Excitement: We embrace curiosity, creativity, and the joy of discovery — because excitement drives progress.

Websites:

Phyical location:

We are located on the 4th floor, Building 502, Grafton campus, the University of Auckland.
85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand
Postcode: 1023

Popular Posts

TEP alumna Prakansha N. Kumar’s new first-author paper: “Expression of the P2X1 receptor remains in the type II spiral ganglion neurons in the mature rat cochlea”

We’re delighted to share a new publication led by our TEP alumna Prakansha N. Kumar , based on research from her Master of Audiology : “Expression of the P2X1 receptor remains in the type II spiral ganglion neurons in the mature rat cochlea” ( Purinergic Signalling , Brief Report, open access; published 24 January 2026 ). Article available online:  https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11302-026-10129-7 A special congratulations to Prakansha - this project was done during her Master of Audiology thesis project , and the paper has continued steadily through the publication process after she moved on. Seeing it now published is a real credit to Prakansha's hard work from MAud, and a fantastic example of thesis work making it into the peer-reviewed literature.  From Figure 1F, Kumar et al. 2026 What the paper is about Hearing begins in the cochlea , where sound is turned into signals that travel to the brain through spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) . Most SGNs are type I...
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Welcome to our summer students 2025-2026!!

Welcome to our summer students 2025-2026!! Each summer, the Translational Ear Physiology Team aims to host undergraduate summer students, and we are delighted to welcome three students for this year’s programme. We are excited to host Sherlly Christine (University of Auckland Summer Research Scholarship), Alizée Fisher (University of Auckland Summer Research Scholarship), and Jude Anderson (Te Titoki Mataora Pacific Summer Studentship Scholarship). Summer studentships are a fantastic way for undergraduate students to gain hands-on experience in research, learn how a lab team works day to day, and contribute to projects that support our wider goals in hearing and inner ear biology. All three students will be embedded in team-based research projects at the University of Auckland. Sherlly’s project focuses on the cochlear aqueduct, including identifying and characterising this structure. Alizée’s project will explore the shape and anatomical features of the oval window. Jude’s project ...
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Welcoming New Master of Audiology Students with Steven’s Temporal Bone Workshop

Welcoming New Master of Audiology Students with Steven’s Temporal Bone Workshop It is the start of a new academic season, and the Translational Ear Physiology (TEP) team warmly welcomes three new Master of Audiology students into the group: Grace, Jooa, and Daarshini . Three audiology students will be undertaking a lab-based project with Haruna , with co-supervisors from Audiology , and are  hosted by TEP .  As part of their introduction to the lab, they were welcomed into Steven’s Temporal Bone Workshop .  Steven Tran , a member of the TEP team in the TRIP programme , has, over time, developed and delivered an amazing temporal bone  anatomy workshop . In this workshop, Steven uses  3D models of the human ear , alongside a very detailed presentation covering human and sheep ear anatomy . The workshop is designed to provide an introduction to  how the ear works , and introduce key anatomical terminologies . A key strength is that the models are der...
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