CURRICULUM VITAE
Jennifer D. Bruening MD
Jennifer D. Bruening MD
Assistant Professor
Department of Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences
Department of Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences
OFFICE ADDRESS: |
9200 West Wisconsin Avenue |
Milwaukee, WI 53226 |
EDUCATION: |
09/01/2001 - 12/01/2005 BS, University of Minnesota- Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN |
09/15/2008 - 05/03/2013 MD, University of Minnesota Medical School- Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN |
POSTGRADUATE TRAINING AND FELLOWSHIP APPOINTMENTS: |
07/01/2013 - 06/30/2019 Otolaryngology Residency, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh- Eye and Ear Institute, 203 Lothrop Street - Suite 500, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 |
07/01/2019 - 06/30/2020 Advanced Head and Neck Surgical Oncology Fellowship, Department of Otolaryngology, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road - Mailcode PV01, Portland, OR 97239 |
07/01/2020 - 06/30/2021 Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship, Department of Otolaryngology, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Road - Mailcode PV01, Portland, OR 97239 |
FACULTY APPOINTMENTS: |
09/01/2021 - Present Assistant Professor, Surgery, Otolaryngology, Clement J Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 5000 West National Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53295 |
09/01/2021 - Present Assistant Professor, Otolaryngology and Communication Services, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226 |
EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENTS: |
07/01/2024 - Present Assistant Medical Student Education Coordinator, Otolaryngology, Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin |
HOSPITAL AND CLINICAL ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENTS: |
07/01/2024 - Present Patient Safety and Quality Officer, Otolaryngology, Froedtert Hospital |
SPECIALTY BOARDS AND CERTIFICATION: |
Board Certified | Issue Date | Expiration |
05/19/2021 | 06/30/2031 | |
MEMBERSHIPS IN HONORARY AND PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES: |
2014 - Present American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (Member) |
2017 - Present American Head and Neck Society (Member) |
2022 - Present Wisconsin Society of Otolaryngology (Active Member) |
RESEARCH GRANTS/AWARDS/CONTRACTS/PROJECTS: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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INVITED LECTURES/WORKSHOPS/PRESENTATIONS: |
Regional |
Microsurgery Course, University of Wisconsin Madison, 11/06/2021 |
Future of Robotic Surgery, Best Evidence ENT, Kohler, WI, 07/30/2022 |
Molecular Testing in Thyroid Nodules, Best Evidence ENT, Kohler, WI, 07/30/2022 |
Guideline Based Evaluation, Best Evidence ENT, Kohler, WI, 07/30/2022 |
The History of Oropharyngeal Cancer Management, Wisconsin Society of Otolaryngology Annual Meeting, Wisconsin Dells, WI, 10/16/2022 |
Microsurgery Course, University of Wisconsin Madison, 11/11/2022 - 11/12/2022 |
Transoral Surgery, Bellin Health ENT Luncheon, Green Bay, WI, 06/19/2023 |
Microsurgery Course, Madison, WI, 10/25/2024 - 10/26/2024 |
UW Madison Microsurgery Course, Madison, Wisconsin, 11/21/2025 - 11/22/2025 |
Local |
Oral Cancer: From pre-malignancy to post-treatment management, Washington-Ozaukee County Dental Society Meeting, Cedarburg, WI, 11/14/2023 |
PEER REVIEWED WORKSHOPS/PRESENTATIONS: |
National |
Leena Abu-Zahra, Jennifer Bruening, Sarah Connolly, Jazzmyne Adams, David Friedland, Delays in adjuvant therapy in head and neck cancers: Identifying clinical and population disparities, National Comprehensive Cancer Network National Meeting, Orlando Florida, 04/05/2024 |
Abdullah A. Memon, Eric Yang, Jennifer Bruening, Jazzmyne Adams, David R. Friedland, Musaddiq J. Awan, Jake Luo,
Masoud Khani, Oscar Villarreal Espinosa, Rachel Kuehn, Anne Frei, Becky Massey, Stuart Wong, Heather Himburg, Joseph Zenga, Patterns of Recurrence in Head and Neck Cancer:
Advancing Models of Prediction, The Triological Society Meeting, Orlando, FL, 01/2025 |
Abu-Zahra, L., Connolly, S., Adams, J., Friedland, D., Bruening, J., Delays in adjuvant therapy in head and neck cancers: Identifying clinical and population disparities, Mayo Clinic Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Symposium, Scottsdale, AZ, 03/28/2025 |
Memon, AA, Awan, M, Villarreal Espinosa, O, Kuehn, R, Frei, A, Foeckler, J, Bruening, J, Massey, B, Wong, S, Himburg, H, Zenga, J, Cancer-Testis Antigens as Novel Precision Immuno-oncologic Targets in Head and Neck Cancer., Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings, New Orleans, LA, 05/2025 |
Abu-Zahra, L., Connolly, S., Adams, J., Friedland, D., Bruening, J., Delays in adjuvant therapy in head and neck cancers: Identifying clinical and population disparities, AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting 2025, Indianapolis, IN, 10/12/2025 |
Memon, AA, Awan, MJ, Khalil, M, Villarreal Espinosa, O, Kuehn, R, Frei, A, Foekler, J, Bruening, J, Himburg, H, Zenga, J, Leveraging Cancer-Testis Antigen Expression in Metastasis: A Precision TCR-Engineered Approach for Head and Neck Cancer., American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO, Indianapolis, IA, 10/2025 |
Memon, AA, Jones, R, Khalil, M, Villarreal Espinosa, O, Kuehn, R, Frei, A, Foekler, J, Bruening, J, Awan, MJ, Himburg, H, Zenga, J., CD137 Activation-Induced T Cell Assay for TCR-Engineered Therapy in Head and Neck Cancer., American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO, Indianapolis, IA, 10/2025 |
Khalil M, Hashemi E, Memon AA, Zenga J, Bruening J, Malarkannan S., NKG2C+ NK cells serve as vital immunoprotectors in regional lymph nodes limiting metastasis in head and neck cancers, Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer, National Harbor, MD, 11/2025 |
Matharu S, Abu-Zahra L, Adams J, Bruening J., Clinical and Pathway Predictors of Postoperative Radiotherapy Delay in Head and Neck Cancer: An Inter-Subsite Analysis, The Triological Society Meeting, Orlando, FL, 01/22/2026 |
MCW TEACHING ACTIVITIES: |
Resident and Fellow Education |
02/15/2022 Head and Neck In-service Review |
04/19/2022 Oropharynx Cancer and Transoral Robotic Surgery |
07/12/2022 Soft Tissue and Suture Course |
09/13/2022 Microvascular Lab Course |
08/15/2023 Introduction to head and neck flap reconstruction |
09/12/2023 Microvascular Lab Course |
02/20/2024 Head and Neck In-service Review |
04/16/2024 Oropharynx Cancer and Transoral Robotic Surgery |
07/23/2024 Head and Neck Basics and Emergencies |
08/27/2024 Diseases of the Salivary Glands |
02/18/2025 Head and Neck Cancer In-service Review |
05/20/2025 Larynx and Hypopharynx Cancer |
12/16/2025 Microvascular Free Flap Reconstruction of the Head and Neck |
Continuing Medical Education |
11/10/2024 Radiology in Otolaryngology |
COMMUNITY SERVICE ACTIVITIES: |
01/2023 - Present Saturday Clinic for the Uninsured - Preceptor for a medical student run free medical clinic |
02/22/2024 Kathy's House Dinner |
BIBLIOGRAPHY |
Refereed Journal Publications/Original Papers |
1. Moy JD, Miller DJ, Catanzaro MF, Boyle BM, Ogburn SW, Cotter LA, Yates BJ, McCall AA. Responses of neurons in the caudal medullary lateral tegmental field to visceral inputs and vestibular stimulation in vertical planes. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2012 Nov 01;303(9):R929-40. PMCID: PMC3517700 |
2. McCall AA, Moy JD, DeMayo WM, Puterbaugh SR, Miller DJ, Catanzaro MF, Yates BJ. Processing of vestibular inputs by the medullary lateral tegmental field of conscious cats: implications for generation of motion sickness. Exp Brain Res. 2013 Mar;225(3):349-59. PMCID: PMC3594386 |
3. McCall AA, Moy JD, Puterbaugh SR, DeMayo WM, Yates BJ. Responses of vestibular nucleus neurons to inputs from the hindlimb are enhanced following a bilateral labyrinthectomy. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2013 Mar 15;114(6):742-51. PMCID: PMC3615601 |
4. Hobson CE, Moy JD, Byers KE, Raz Y, Hirsch BE, McCall AA. Malignant Otitis Externa: Evolving Pathogens and Implications for Diagnosis and Treatment. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2014 Jul;151(1):112-6. |
5. McCall AA, Hobson CE, Moy JD, Byers KE, Raz Y, Hirsch BE. Response to "Management and outcomes in patients affected by malignant otitis externa". Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2014 Nov;151(5):890-1. |
6. Moy JD, Moskovitz JM, Ferris RL. Biological mechanisms of immune escape and implications for immunotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Eur J Cancer. 2017 May;76:152-166. PMCID: PMC5459368 |
7. Moskovitz JM, Moy J, Seiwert TY, Ferris RL. Immunotherapy for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Review of Current and Emerging Therapeutic Options. Oncologist. 2017 Jun;22(6):680-693. PMCID: PMC5469583 |
8. Kansy BA, Concha-Benavente F, Srivastava RM, Jie HB, Shayan G, Lei Y, Moskovitz J, Moy J, Li J, Brandau S, Lang S, Schmitt NC, Freeman GJ, Gooding WE, Clump DA, Ferris RL. PD-1 Status in CD8<sup>+</sup> T Cells Associates with Survival and Anti-PD-1 Therapeutic Outcomes in Head and Neck Cancer. Cancer Res. 2017 Nov 15;77(22):6353-6364. PMCID: PMC5690836 |
9. Moy J, Ferris RL. Immunotherapy in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) Current Cancer Research. 2018:365-396. |
10. Moskovitz J, Moy J, Ferris RL. Immunotherapy for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Curr Oncol Rep. 2018 Mar 03;20(2):22. PMCID: PMC5835060 |
11. Concha-Benavente F, Kansy B, Moskovitz J, Moy J, Chandran U, Ferris RL. PD-L1 Mediates Dysfunction in Activated PD-1<sup>+</sup> NK Cells in Head and Neck Cancer Patients. Cancer Immunol Res. 2018 Dec;6(12):1548-1560. PMCID: PMC6512340 |
12. Moy JD, Gardner PA, Sridharan S, Wang EW. Radial Forearm Free Tissue Transfer to Clival Defect. J Neurol Surg B Skull Base. 2019 Dec;80(Suppl 4):S380-S381. PMCID: PMC6864404 |
13. Moy J, Li R. Approach to the Patient with Unknown Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck. Curr Treat Options Oncol. 2020 Oct 06;21(12):93. |
14. Bender-Heine A, Young G, Moy J, Weedman S, Wax MK. Application of the Spider Limb Positioner to Subscapular System Free Flaps. Laryngoscope. 2021 Mar;131(3):525-528. |
15. Moy J, Wax MK, Loyo M. Soft Tissue Reconstruction of Parotidectomy Defect. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2021 Jun;54(3):567-581. |
16. Beydoun AS, Koss K, Nielsen T, Holcomb AJ, Pichardo P, Purdy N, Zebolsky AL, Heaton CM, McMullen CP, Yesensky JA, Moore MG, Goyal N, Kohan J, Sajisevi M, Tan K, Petrisor D, Wax MK, Kejner AE, Hassan Z, Trott S, Larson A, Richmon JD, Graboyes EM, Wood CB, Jackson RS, Pipkorn P, Bruening J, Massey B, Puram SV, Zenga J. Perioperative Topical Antisepsis and Surgical Site Infection in Patients Undergoing Upper Aerodigestive Tract Reconstruction. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2022 Jun 01;148(6):547-554. PMCID: PMC9047735 |
17. Zenga J, Atkinson S, Yen T, Massey B, Stadler M, Bruening J, Peppard W, Reuben M, Hayward M, Mesich B, Buchan B, Ledeboer N, Sanchez JL, Fraser R, Lin CW, Holtz ML, Awan M, Wong SJ, Puram SV, Salzman N. A phase 2 trial of a topical antiseptic bundle in head and neck cancer surgery: Effects on surgical site infection and the oral microbiome. EBioMedicine. 2022 Jul;81:104099. PMCID: PMC9168040 |
18. Pandrangi VC, Shah SN, Bruening JD, Wax MK, Clayburgh D, Andersen PE, Li RJ. Effect of Virtual Reality on Pain Management and Opioid Use Among Hospitalized Patients After Head and Neck Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2022 Aug 01;148(8):724-730. PMCID: PMC9185522 |
19. Kraimer K, Pandrangi V, Bruening J, Petrisor D, Wax MK. Osteocutaneous Radial Forearm Free Flap Fixed to a Prior Osteocutaneous Free Flap: Two Case Reports. Laryngoscope. 2022 Nov;132(11):2177-2179. |
20. Pandrangi VC, Jorizzo M, Shah S, Bruening J, Wax MK, Clayburgh D, Andersen P, Li RJ. Monitoring postoperative ambulation and sleep after head and neck surgery: Feasibility and utility study using wearable devices. Head Neck. 2022 Dec;44(12):2744-2752. |
21. Zenga J, Awan M, Hadi Razeghi Kondelaji M, Hansen C, Shafiee S, Frei A, Foeckler J, Kuehn R, Bruening J, Massey B, Wong S, Joshi A, Himburg HA. Photoactivated HPPH-Liposomal therapy for the treatment of HPV-Negative head and neck cancer. Oral Oncol. 2023 Sep;144:106487. PMCID: PMC10413333 |
22. Bruening J. Robotic Surgery in the Head and Neck: Presurgical Considerations and Post-treatment Appearance. Semin Roentgenol. 2023 Jul;58(3):374-383. |
23. Zenga J, Awan MJ, Frei A, Massey B, Bruening J, Shukla M, Sharma GP, Shreenivas A, Wong SJ, Zimmermann MT, Mathison AJ, Himburg HA. Type I interferon signaling promotes radioresistance in head and neck cancer. Transl Cancer Res. 2024 May 31;13(5):2535-2543. PMCID: PMC11170510 |
24. Zenga J, Awan M, Frei A, Foeckler J, Kuehn R, Espinosa OV, Bruening J, Massey B, Wong S, Shreenivas A, Shukla M, Kasprzak J, Sun Y, Shaheduzzaman M, Chen F, Kearl T, Himburg HA. Corrigendum to Tumor-specific T cells in head and neck cancer have rescuable functionality and can be identified through single-cell co-culture. Transl Oncol. 2024 Jun;44:101927. PMCID: PMC11391029 |
25. Zenga J, Awan M, Frei A, Foeckler J, Kuehn R, Espinosa OV, Bruening J, Massey B, Wong S, Shreenivas A, Shukla M, Kasprzak J, Sun Y, Shaheduzzaman M, Chen F, Kearl T, Himburg HA. Tumor-specific T cells in head and neck cancer have rescuable functionality and can be identified through single-cell co-culture. Transl Oncol. 2024 Apr;42:101899. PMCID: PMC10851216 |
26. Oberhelman N, Bruening J, Jackson RS, Van Abel KM, Sumer B, Holsinger FC, Chan JYK, Gross ND, Clayburgh DR, Andersen PE, Li RJ. Comparison of da Vinci Single Port vs Si Systems for Transoral Robotic-Assisted Surgery: A Review With Technical Insights. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2024 Feb 01;150(2):165-171. |
27. Espinosa OV, Awan M, Memon AA, Frei A, Foeckler J, Kuehn R, Bruening J, Massey B, Wong S, Shukla M, Kasprzak J, Joshi A, Dwinell MB, Himburg HA, Zenga J. Locked Dimerized CXCL12 Exerts Radiosensitizing Effects in Head and Neck Cancer. Head Neck. 2025 May;47(5):1379-1391. PMCID: PMC12040585 |
28. Memon AA, Awan MJ, Espinosa OV, Kuehn R, Frei A, Foeckler J, Bruening J, Akakpo K, Massey B, Stadler M, Wong S, Himburg HA, Zenga J. Multiomic Selection of Cancer-Testis Antigens as Precision Immuno-oncologic Targets in Head and Neck Cancer. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2025 Dec 01;151(12):1196-1207. PMCID: PMC12550742 |
29. Memon AA, Khalil M, Espinosa OV, Said I, Yang E, Adams JA, Friedland DR, Khani M, Luo J, Kuehn R, Frei A, Foeckler J, Akakpo K, Massey B, Stadler M, Wong S, Himburg HA, Awan MJ, Bruening J, Zenga J. Tumoral Skin Invasion Is an Independent Predictor of Rapid Recurrence in Head and Neck Cancer. Head Neck. 2026 Feb;48(2):535-542. |
30. Zenga J, Awan MJ, Frei A, Foeckler J, Kuehn R, Kasprzak J, Massey B, Bruening J, Akakpo K, Shukla M, Wong SJ, Mathison AJ, Wendt Andrae J, Hunt B, Puzyrenko A, Jin VX, Memon AA, Villarreal Espinosa O, Chen F, Shaheduzzaman M, Kearl T, Hematti P, Himburg HA. Radiation therapy results in preferential tumor antigen-specific lymphodepletion in head and neck cancer. Nat Commun. 2025 Jul 01;16(1):5660. PMCID: PMC12219838 |
31. Said I, Awan MJ, Wong SJ, Memon AA, Kearl T, Hematti P, Massey B, Bruening J, Akakpo K, Zenga J, Himburg HA. Radiation-Induced Loss of Tumor-Reactive T Cells Calls for More Rationally Designed Radioimmunotherapy Approaches. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2026 Jan 01;124(1):190-193. PMCID: PMC12939519 |
32. Memon AA, Said I, Norenberg E, Frei A, Foeckler J, Sun F, Dwinell MB, Lochhead RB, Bruening J, Akakpo K, Massey B, Wong SJ, Hematti P, Kearl TJ, Awan MJ, Himburg HA, Zenga J. Radiation-induced remodeling of the T cell landscape in head and neck cancer. Cancer Immunol Immunother. 2026 Apr 15;75(5). PMCID: PMC13083680 |
