Staff Profile

Introduction

I am a MRC Clinician Scientist in the Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University. I work clinically as an Honorary Consultant in Paediatric Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the Great North Children's Hospital (GNCH) and the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

My research focuses primarily on infectious disease and inflammatory disorders within the airway and middle ear cleft, particularly in children. This work spans bench to bedside; including laboratory-based studies, translational clinical studies and population based work.



Previous positions

Fellow, Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, B.C. Children’s Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada (2022 - 2023)

NIHR Clinical Lecturer and Speciality Training Registrar in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Newcastle University (2018 - 2022)

Qualifications

MBBS, MRes, MRCS, DO-HNS, PhD, FRCS (ORL-HNS)

Awards and Honours

Colledge Family Memorial Fellowship Fund, Royal College of Surgeons of England, 2022

Susanna Leighton Fellowship, British Association for Paediatric Otolaryngology, 2017

ENTUK Annual Meeting Presentation Prize, 2017

David Howard Prize, British Laryngological Association, 2015

British Rhinological Society Presentation Prize, 2014

External links

Hospital profile

Google Scholar

ResearchGate

Linkedin

ORCiD

SG01 subglottic epithelial cell line available via:

cancertools.org

ximbio.com

phe-culturecollections.org.uk

Outline

My research program focuses primarily on understanding the role of innate immunity in infectious and inflammatory diseases within the airway and middle ear cleft, particularly in children. This work spans bench to bedside;

Laboratory: leukocyte biology, advanced cell culture models, delivery of gene vectors, mucin biology, microbiome, proteomics, transcriptomics and metabolomics.

Translational research: clinical studies, large database analysis, qualitative research, epidemiological studies.

Commercial outputs

SG01 subglottic epithelial cell line available via:

cancertools.org

ximbio.com

phe-culturecollections.org.uk

Certificate in Clinical Education, Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE)

I have delivered numerous teaching sessions and lectures to medical students and postgraduates on Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.

I have also supervised several researchers in the laboratory and clinical setting, including MRes and PhD students, post-doctoral researchers and clinical academic trainees.

• Articles

  • Day E, Cross D, Crossland D, Powell J, Simpson E. Tracheostomy as a Management Option After Listing for Pediatric Cardiac Transplantation. Pediatric Transplantation 2025, 29(1), e70029.
  • Gelbard A, Shilts MH, Hoke A, Strickland B, Motz K, Tsai H-W, Boone H, Drake WP, Wanjalla C, Smith PM, Brown H, Powell J, Ramirez-Solano M, Atkinson JB, Simpson J, Rajagopala SV, Mallal S, Sheng Q, Hillel AT, Das SR. Idiopathic subglottic stenosis and the epithelial interface of host and environment. Journal of the American College of Surgeons 2025, Epub ahead of print.
  • Pearce H, Talks BJ, Powell S, Brodlie M, Powell J. A systematic review of antimicrobial therapy in children with tracheostomies. Pediatric Pulmonology 2024, 59(2), 251-259.
  • Powell J, Powell S, Mather MW, Beck L, Nelson A, Palmowski P, Porter A, Coxhead J, Hedley A, Scott J, Rostron AJ, Hellyer T, Zaidi F, Davey T, Garnett JP, Agbeko R, Ward C, Stewart CJ, Taggart CC, Brodlie M, Simpson AJ. Tracheostomy in children is associated with neutrophilic airway inflammation. Thorax 2023, 78(10), 1019-1027.
  • Mather MW, Wilson JA, Doona M, Talks BJ, Fullard M, Griffin M, Powell J, Drinnan M. The utility of a symptom model to predict the risk of oesophageal cancer. Surgeon 2023, 21(2), 119-127.
  • Hall N, Rousseau N, Hamilton DW, Simpson AJ, Powell S, Brodlie M, Powell J. Providing care for children with tracheostomies: a qualitative interview study with parents and health professionals. BMJ Open 2023, 13(1), e065698.
  • Elcioglu ZC, Errington L, Metes B, Sendama W, Powell J, Simpson AJ, Rostron AJ, Hellyer TP. Pooled prevalence of lymphopenia in all-cause hospitalisations and association with infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Infectious Diseases 2023, 23, 848.
  • Mather MW, Talks B, Dawe N, Powell J. Ototopical therapies for post tympanostomy tube otorrhoea in children. Translational Pediatrics 2022, 11(10), 1739-1742.
  • Hall N, Rousseau N, Hamilton DW, Simpson AJ, Powell S, Brodlie M, Powell J. Impact of COVID-19 on carers of children with tracheostomies. Archives of Disease in Childhood 2022, 107(3), e23.
  • Funston W, Ruchaud-Sparagano M-H, Scott J, Powell J, Cooles FAH, Shelmerdine L, McDowell C, O'Leary D, Booth KL, Clark SC, Ledingham SJ, Rostron AJ, Dark JH, Simpson AJ. A human model of bilateral pulmonary vein sampling to assess the effects of one-lung ventilation on neutrophil function. PLoS ONE 2022, 17(7), e0271958.
  • Offor UT, Bacon CM, Roberts J, Powell J, Brodlie M, Wood K, Windebank KP, Flett J, Hewitt T, Rand V, Hasan A, Parry G, Gennery AR, Reinhardt Z, Bomken S. Transplantation For Congenital Heart Disease Is Associated With An Increased Risk Of Epstein-Barr Virus-Related Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder In Children. Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation 2021, 35(5), 24-32.
  • Powell J, Buckley HL, Agbeko RS, Brodlie M, Powell S. Tracheostomy trends in paediatric intensive care. Archives of Disease in Childhood 2021, 106(7), 712-714.
  • COVIDSurg Collaborative, Powell J, Rajgor AD. Preoperative nasopharyngeal swab testing and postoperative pulmonary complications in patients undergoing elective surgery during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. British Journal of Surgery 2021, 108(1), 88–96.
  • COVIDSurg Collaborative, Dawe N, Mellor C, Powell J, Williams T. Head and neck cancer surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic: An international, multicenter, observational cohort study. Cancer 2021, 127(14), 2476-2488.
  • Glasbey JC, Nepogodiev D, Simoes JFF, et al, Covidsurg Colloborative, Pandanaboyana S, Powell J, Rajgor AD. Elective Cancer Surgery in COVID-19-Free Surgical Pathways During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An International, Multicenter, Comparative Cohort Study. Journal of Clinical Oncology 2021, 39(1), 66-78.
  • COVIDSurg Collaborative, Powell J, Rajgor AD. Effect of COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns on planned cancer surgery for 15 tumour types in 61 countries: an international, prospective, cohort study. The Lancet Oncology 2021, 22, 1507-1517.
  • Mather MW, Powell S, Talks B, Ward C, Bingle CD, Haniffa M, Powell J. Dysregulation of immune response in otitis media. Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine 2021, 18(23), e10.
  • Mather MW, Verdon B, Botting RA, Engelbert J, Delpiano L, Xu X, Hatton C, Davey T, Lisgo S, Yates P, Dawe N, Bingle CD, Haniffa M, Powell J, Ward C. Development of a physiological model of human middle ear epithelium. Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology 2021, 6(5), 1167-1174.
  • Hatton CF, Botting RA, Duenas ME, Haq IJ, Verdon B, Thompson BJ, Spegarova JS, Gothe F, Stephenson E, Gardner AI, Murphy S, Scott J, Garnett JP, Carrie S, Powell J, Khan CMA, Huang L, Hussain R, Coxhead J, Davey T, Simpson AJ, Haniffa M, Hambleton S, Brodlie M, Ward C, Trost M, Reynolds G, Duncan CJA. Delayed induction of type I and III interferons mediates nasal epithelial cell permissiveness to SARS-CoV-2. Nature Communications 2021, 12(1), 7092.
  • STARSurg Collaborative, COVIDSurg Collaborative, Powell J, Rajgor A. Death following pulmonary complications of surgery before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. British Journal of Surgery 2021, 108(12), 1448-1464.
  • Mavin E, Verdon B, Carrie S, Saint-Criq V, Powell J, Kuttruff CA, Ward C, Garnett JP, Miwa S. Real-time measurement of cellular bioenergetics in fully differentiated human nasal epithelial 2 cells grown at air-liquid-interface. American Journal of Physiology-Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology 2020, 318(6), L1158-L1164.
  • Roberts J, Powell J, Begbie J, Siou G, McLarnon C, Welch A, McKean M, Thomas M, Ebdon AM, Moss SA, Agbeko RS, Smith JH, Brodlie M, O'Brien C, Powell S. Pediatric tracheostomy: A large single-center experience. The Laryngoscope 2020, 130(5), E375-E380.
  • COVIDSurg Colloborative, et al. Delaying surgery for patients with a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. British Journal of Surgery 2020, 107(12), e601-e602.
  • Mather MW, Powell S, Yates PD, Powell J. Acute mastoiditis in children: contemporary opportunities and challenges. The Journal of Laryngology & Otology 2020, 134(5), 434-439.
  • Ladak SS, Roebuck E, Powell J, Fisher AJ, Ward C, Ali S. The role of miR-200b-3p in modulating TGF-β1 induced injury in human bronchial epithelial cells. Transplantation 2019, 103(11), 2275-2286.
  • Mather MW, Yates PD, Powell J, Zammit-Maempel I. Radiology of acute mastoiditis and its complications: a pictorial review and interpretation checklist. Journal of Laryngology & Otology 2019, 133(10), 856-861.
  • Khan MK, Powell J, ElBadawey MR, Carrie S. Idiopathic pseudotumours of the pterygopalatine fossa: case series and a narrative review. Rhinology Online 2019, 2, 14-20.
  • Powell J, Verdon B, Wilson JA, Simpson AJ, Pearson J, Ward C. Establishment of an immortalized human subglottic epithelial cell line. Laryngoscope 2019, 129(11), 2640-2645.
  • Mather MW, Drinnan M, Perry J, Powell S, Wilson JA, Powell J. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Antimicrobial Resistance in Paediatric Acute Otitis Media. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology 2019, 123, 102-109.
  • Aldhahrani A, Powell J, Ladak S, Ali M, Ali S, Verdon B, Pearson J, Ward C. The Potential Role of Bile Acids in Acquired Laryngotracheal Stenosis. The Laryngoscope 2018, 128(9), 2029-2033.
  • Powell J, Powell S. Obstructive Sleep Apnea in the Very Young. Current Otorhinolaryngology Reports 2018, 6(1), 48-55.
  • Yao A, Bates TJ, Pearson J, Robinson M, Ward C, Powell J. Laryngeal candidiasis: our experience from sixty biopsy specimens. Clinical Otolaryngology 2018, 43(2), 729-732.
  • Powell J, Garnett JP, Mather MW, Cooles FAH, Nelson A, Verdon B, Scott J, Jiwa K, Ruchaud-Sparagano MH, Cummings SP, Perry JD, Wright SE, Wilson JA, Pearson J, Ward C, Simpson AJ. Excess Mucin Impairs Subglottic Epithelial Host Defense in Mechanically Ventilated Patients. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 2018, 198(3), 340-349.
  • Powell J, Powell S, Robson A. A systematic review of patient-reported outcome measures in paediatric otolaryngology. Journal of Laryngology and Otology 2018, 132(1), 2-7.
  • Buswell C, Powell J, Powell S. Paediatric tracheostomy speaking valves: Our experience of forty-two children with an adapted Passy-Muir speaking valve. Clinical Otolaryngology 2017, 42(4), 941-944.
  • Powell J, O'Hara J, Carrie S, Wilson JA. Is tonsillectomy recommended in adults with recurrent acute tonsillitis?. BMJ 2017, 357, j1450.
  • Powell J, Zammit-Maempel I, Carrie S. Congenital anosmia: Our experience of eleven patients with aplasia or hypoplasia of the olfactory tract. Clinical Otolaryngology 2017, 42(5), 1038-1040.
  • Shellman Z, Aldhahrani A, Verdon B, Mather M, Paleri V, Wilson JA, Pearson J, Ward C, Powell J. Bile acids: a potential role in the pathogenesis of pharyngeal malignancy. Clinical Otolaryngology 2017, 42(5), 969-973.
  • Jumani K, Powell J. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo: Management and Its Impact on Falls. Annals of Otology, Rhinology and Laryngology 2017, 126(8), 602-605.
  • Garnett J, Kalsi K, Sobotta M, Bearham J, Carr G, Powell J, Brodlie M, Ward C, Tarran R, Baines D. Hyperglycaemia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa acidify cystic fibrosis airway surface liquid by elevating epithelial monocarboxylate transporter 2 dependent lactate-H⁺ secretion. Scientific Reports 2016, 6, 37955.
  • Musgrave KM, Powell J. A systematic review of anti-thrombotic therapy in epistaxis. Rhinology 2016, 54(4), 292-391.
  • Khan MK, Reda El Badawey M, Powell J, Idris M. The utility of FloSeal haemostatic agent in the management of epistaxis. Journal of Laryngology and Otology 2015, 129(4), 353-357.
  • Hall J, Powell J, Elbadawey M R, Birchall D, Zammit-Maempel I. Radiological appearances in olfactory dysfunction: pictorial review. Journal of Laryngology & Otology 2015, 129(6), 529-534.
  • Powell J, Powell S, Lennon M, Ho A, Murrant N. Paediatric ventilation tube insertion: Our experience of seventy-five children in audiology-led follow-up. Clinical Otolaryngology 2015, 40(4), 385-389.
  • Drinnan M, Powell J, Nikkar-Esfahani A, Heading RC, Doyle J, Griffin SM, Leslie P, Bradley PT, James P, Wilson JA. Gastroesophageal and extraesophageal reflux symptoms: similarities and differences. Laryngoscope 2015, 125(2), 424-430.
  • Powell J, Drinnan M, Doona M, Wilson J. Do Upper Airway Symptoms Predict Gastroesophageal Malignancy?. Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery 2015, 153(Suppl. 1), 80-80.
  • Elbadawey MR, Hegazy HM, Eltahan AE, Powell J. A randomised controlled trial of coblation, diode laser and cold dissection in paediatric tonsillectomy. Journal of Laryngology and Otology 2015, 18, 1-6.
  • Verkerk M, Powell J, Wilson J. A lump on the nose. BMJ Case Reports 2015, 1-2.
  • Powell J, Garnett J, Verdon B, Wilson J, Pearson J, Ward C. A Human in Vitro Model of the Subglottic Airway. Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery 2015, 153(Suppl. 1), P83-P83.
  • Powell J, Ullal U, Ahmed O, Ragbir M, Paleri V. Tissue transfer to post chemoradiation salvage laryngectomy defects to prevent pharyngocutaneous fistula: single-centre experience. Journal of Laryngology & Otology 2014, 128(4), 365-367.
  • Powell J, Carding P, Birdi R, Wilson JA. Injection laryngoplasty in the outpatient clinic under local anaesthetic: a case series of sixty-eight patients. Clinical Otolaryngology 2014, 39(4), 224-227.
  • Powell J, Elbadawey MR, Zammit-Maempel I. Does imaging of the olfactory tract change the clinical management of patients with olfactory disturbance? A case series of 100 consecutive patients. Journal of Laryngology & Otology 2014, 128(9), 810-813.
  • Powell J, O'Hara J, Wilson J. Are persistent throat symptoms atypical features of gastric reflux and should they be treated with proton pump inhibitors. BMJ 2014, 349, g5813.
  • Powell J, Powell EL, Conroy K, Hopkins C, Moor JW, Wilson JA. Throat-related quality of life in peritonsillar abscess sufferers: application of the adult tonsil outcome inventory. Journal of Laryngology & Otology 2013, 127(12), 1190-1193.
  • Powell J, Cocks H. Mucosal changes in laryngopharyngeal reflux - prevalence, sensitivity, specificity and assessment. Laryngoscope 2013, 123(4), 985-991.
  • Powell J, Powell EL, Conroy K, Hopkins C, Moor JW, Wilson JA. Application of the adult tonsil outcome inventory 14 (ATOI-14) to peritonsillar abscess patients. Journal of Laryngology and Otology 2013, 127(12), 1190-1193.
  • Powell EL, Powell J, Samuel JR, Wilson JA. A review of the pathogenesis of adult peritonsillar abscess: time for a re-evaluation. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 2013, 68(9), 1941-1950.
  • Coulter CA, Powell J, Wilson JA. UK ENT emergency service provision: 4 steps to improve your emergency service. The Otorhinolaryngologist 2012, 5(1), 48-50.
  • Nikkar-Esfahani A, Powell J, Leslie P, Drinnan M, Miller T, Carding P, Wilson JA. Evaluation of the first comprehensive laryngopharyngeal reflux questionnaire. Gut 2012, 61(s3), A197.
  • Powell J, Wilson JA. An evidence based review of peritonsillar abscess. Clinical Otolaryngology 2012, 37(2), 136-145.
  • Powell J, Wilson JA. The impact of childhood cochlear implantation on deaf education. Clinical Otolaryngology 2011, 36, 417.
  • Powell J, Cooles FAH, Carrie S, Paleri V. Is undergraduate medical education working for ENT surgery? A survey of UK medical school graduates. Journal of Laryngology and Otology 2011, 125(9), 896-905.
  • Powell J, ElDean H, Carrie S, Wilson JA, Paleri V. Achieving consensus in follow‐up practice for routine ENT procedures: a Delphi exercise. Clinical Otolaryngology 2011, 36(1), 45-50.

• Book Chapters

  • Powell J. Diseases of tonsils, tonsillectomy and tonsillotomy. In: Scott-Brown's Otorhinolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery, 9th edition, 2024. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press, 2024. In Press.
  • Patterson J, Powell J. The upper digestive tract, Functional investigations of the upper gastrointestinal tract. In: Watkinson, JC; Clarke, RW, ed. Scott-Brown's Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Eighth Edition. London: CRC Press, 2018.

• Conference Proceedings (inc. Abstract)

  • Powell J, Powell E, Conroy K, Hopkins C, Moor JW, Wilson JA. Throat symptoms: the importance in peritonsillar abscess. In: American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery: Annual Meeting. 2012, Washington, DC, USA: Mosby, Inc.

• Letter

  • Powell J, Keltie K, Sims A, Richardson H, Brodlie M, Powell S. National Cohort Study of Health Care Resource Use after Pediatric Tracheostomy. JAMA Pediatrics 2022, 176(8), 817-819.

• Note

  • Leighton J, Powell J, McLarnon C. Hair-thread Tourniquet Syndrome causing uvular strangulation in a child. BMJ Case Reports 2021, 14(4), e242350.

• Reviews

  • Davies T, Peng X, Salem J, Elcioglu Z, Kremneva A, Gruber M-Y, Milinis K, Mather M, Powell J, Sharma S. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Efficacy of Antimicrobial Chemoprophylaxis for Recurrent Acute Otitis Media in Children. Clinical Otolaryngology 2025, 50(1), 1-14.
  • Roberts J, Powell J, Mather M, Powell S, Brodlie M. A review of adenotonsillar hypertrophy and adenotonsillectomy in children after solid organ transplantation. International Journal of Paediatric Otorhinolaryngology 2018, 114, 29-35.