Dr Woods was appointed as the Flinders ENT Medical Scientist in 2010 and coordinates the units clinical and laboratory research investigations. With a background in physiology Dr Woods is currently involved in the following ENT projects: (1) investigation of water transport and cationic antimicrobial peptides in chronic rhinosinusitis, (2) discovery of biomarkers for laryngopharyngeal reflux and laryngeal cancer, (3) evaluation of surgcial techniques for sleep disordered breathing in children and adults, (4)evaluation of the effectiveness of sinus irrigation solutions. Dr Woods' role in these projects involves preparation of ethics applications, patient recruitment, management of the Flinders ENT TissueBank, qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, microbial assays, as well as collating clinical and laboratory data, statistical anlaysis and preparation of manuscripts and research grants.

1. Chronic rhinosinusitis (sinusitis) - investigation of water transport mechanisms leading to production of (thickened) nasal secretions, the antimicrobial activity of innate peptides in nasal secretions
2. Investigation and evaluation of surgical treatments  for sleep disordered breathing (sleep apnoea) in children and adults
3. discovery of biomarkers for laryngopharyngeal reflux (reflux into the throat) and  laryngeal cancer