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National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research (NCRAR)

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J. Riley DeBacker, Au.D, Ph.D.

Image of Dr. DeBackerE-Mail:  james.debacker@va.gov
Telephone:  503-220-8262 x52448

Current Appointments
Research Investigator, NCRAR
Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University

Research Interests 
The overall goal of Dr. DeBacker’s research is to better prevent ototoxic hearing loss through understanding new and emerging ototoxicants. To do this, his lab studies  damage to the hearing and balance system and its functional consequences in humans. Currently, his lab is investigating the effects of drugs commonly used to manage and prevent HIV. Dr. DeBacker’s research group also seeks to expand access to ototoxic and other audiologic monitoring through the creation and validation of point-of-care testing.

Service Activities 
At NCRAR, Dr. DeBacker is a member of the Mentoring Core, and member and former co-Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee. Outside of NCRAR, he has served in various roles for the American Academy of Audiology, including as a member of the Guidelines and Strategic Documents Committee, Chair of the Scientific Posters Committee for AAA 2023, President of the national Student Academy of Audiology, and a Professional Development Series Advisor. He is also the founder of Queer Empowerment for Audiologists, Researchers, and Students (QuEARS), an LGBTQ+ affinity group. 

Research Projects (Current and recently completed)
"Ototoxicity-associated Mutations following Antiretroviral Exposure”
Principal Investigator: Riley DeBacker, Au.D., Ph.D.
VA RR&D Career Development Award-2, 2024-2028

"DEI Leadership Development Training Award”
Principal Investigator: Riley DeBacker, Au.D., Ph.D.
VA Office of Research & Development, 2022
"Genetic Associations with Hearing Loss from Cancer Treatment"

Selected Publications
For a complete list of publications: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/j.%20riley.debacker.2/bibliography/public/ 

  • Kirjava, S.A., Sladen, D., & DeBacker, J.R. (2023). Providing mindful and informed healthcare for patients who are LGBTQ+: Perspectives for clinical audiology. American Journal of Audiology. https://doi.org/10.1044/2023_AJA-22-00112
  • Konrad-Martin, D., Polaski, R., DeBacker, J.R., Theodoroff, S.M., Garinis, A., Lacey, C., Johansson, K., Mannino, R., Milnes, T., Hungerford, M., & Clark, K.D. (2023). Audiologists’ perceived value of ototoxicity management and barriers to implementation for at-risk cancer patients in VA: the OtoMIC survey. Journal of Cancer Survivorship. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-022-01316-7
  • DeBacker, J.R., McMillan, G.P., Matchenke, N., Lacey, C.M., Stuehm, H.R., Hungerford, M.E., & Konrad-Martin, D. (2023). Ototoxicity prognostic models in adult and pediatric cancer patients: a rapid review. Journal of Cancer Survivorship. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-022-01315-8
  • DeBacker, J.R., Langenek, B., & Bielefeld, E.C. (2022). Hearing loss in offspring exposed to antiretrovirals during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience. 15:920528. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnmol.2022.920528
  • DeBacker, J.R., Hu, B.H., & Bielefeld, E.C. (2022). Mild hearing loss in C57BL6/J mice after exposure to antiretroviral compounds during gestation and nursing. International Journal of Audiology.
  • Harrison, R.T., DeBacker, J.R., Trevino, M., Bielefeld, E.C., & Lobarinas, E. (2021). Cochlear pre-conditioning as a modulator of susceptibility to hearing loss. Antioxidants and Redox Signaling. https://doi.org/10.1089/ars.2021.0055  
  • DeBacker, J.R., Harrison, R.T., & Bielefeld, E.C. (2020). Cisplatin-induced threshold shift in the CBA/CaJ, C57BL/6J, BALB/cJ mouse models of hearing loss. Hearing Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heares.2019.107878  
  • DeBacker, J.R., Harrison, R.T., & Bielefeld, E.C. (2017). Long-term synergistic interaction of cisplatin- and noise-induced hearing losses. Ear and Hearing, 38(3), 282-291. https://doi.org/10.1097/aud.0000000000000391
Selected Presentations
  • DeBacker, J. R. (2024, February). Rise of the machines: Modeling to predict and prevent ototoxicity. Podium Session at American Auditory Society Annual Meeting, Scottsdale, AZ.
  • DeBacker, J. R. (2023, October). Top to OtoM: Comprehensive ototoxicity management for known and emerging agents. Invited Seminar for the Michigan Audiology Coalition meeting, East Lansing, MI.
  • DeBacker, J. R., McMillan, G. & Konrad-Martin, D. (2023, September). Medical diagnosis through AI analysis: What it means for future healthcare. Invited Panel Presentation at the International Summit for AI in Health Care, Washington, D.C.
  • DeBacker, J. R. & Roman, A. M. (2023, August). Teaching the alphabet: Supporting LGBTQ+ students in the classroom and clinic. Invited Seminar for eAudiology, Virtual.
  • DeBacker, J. R. & Botzum, H. (2023, April). Here, queer, and looking in ears: Navigating audiology as a queer new professional. Invited Podium Presentation at American Academy of Audiology Conference 2023, Seattle, WA.
  • DeBacker, J. R. & Roman, A. (2023, April). Building a rainbow bridge: Supporting LGBTQ+ students in the clinic and classroom. Learning Module at American Academy of Audiology Conference 2023, Seattle, WA.
  • DeBacker, J. R., Langenek, B., & Bielefeld, E.C. (2022, April). Hearing AIDS: Auditory Impacts of HIV and its management. Learning Module at the American Academy of Audiology Conference 2022, St. Louis, MO.
  • DeBacker, J. R., Langenek, B., & Bielefeld, E.C. (2022, February). Auditory Effects of Antiretroviral Exposure during Pregnancy and Breastfeeding. Poster session presented at the Association for Research in Otolaryngology MidWinter Meeting, Virtual.
Scientific Outreach
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