Biographical summary
David G. Lott, M.D., is a laryngologist and head and neck surgeon specializing in voice disorders, swallowing disorders, laryngeal cancer, airway reconstruction, and laryngotracheal reconstruction. He serves as Chair of the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery/Audiology at Mayo Clinic in Arizona and is a Professor of Otolaryngology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science.
Dr. Lott is dedicated to helping patients restore essential functions such as speaking, swallowing, and breathing, particularly after cancer treatment or complex airway conditions. His patient-centered approach guides both his clinical practice and his research. Reflecting on the motivation behind his work, Dr. Lott says, "I am motivated by the opportunity to restore not just function, but the freedom, confidence, and quality of life that allow people to fully engage in the lives they want to live."
As founder and director of Mayo Clinic's Head and Neck Regenerative Medicine and Transplantation Program, Dr. Lott leads pioneering efforts to advance regenerative medicine and transplantation technologies for patients with complex laryngeal and airway conditions. Under his leadership, the program has achieved several groundbreaking milestones, including the development of patient-specific 3D bioprinted implants for laryngeal and tracheal reconstruction and the world's first total larynx transplant performed in a patient with active cancer. His work focuses on translating innovative
scientific discoveries into safe, effective treatments that restore function and improve quality of life.
Dr. Lott has been recognized nationally and internationally for his clinical excellence, research, and teaching. His honors include designation as a Mayo Clinic Distinguished Clinician, the institution's highest recognition for clinical excellence, as well as the Mayo Clinic Transform the Practice Award, Teacher of the Year Award, and recognition among Billboard Magazine's Top Voice Doctors in America. He is board certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology and is widely recognized for his expertise in caring for patients with complex voice, airway, and swallowing disorders.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Lott enjoys running and spending time with his family.
Conditions treated
Procedures performed
- Airway management
- Airway reconstruction
- Airway stenting
- Botox injection
- Bronchoalveolar lavage
- Bronchoscopy
- CO-2 laser treatment
- Cricopharyngeal myotomy
- Esophageal dilation
- Esophagoscopy
- FEESST
- KTP laser treatment
- Laryngeal Botox injection
- Laryngeal reinnervation surgery
- Laryngectomy
- Laryngoscopy
- Laryngotracheal reconstruction
- Larynx and trachea transplant
- Laser vocal cord surgery
- Microlaryngoscopy
- Minimally invasive surgery
- Professional voice evaluation
- Singing voice evaluation
- Thyroplasty
- Tracheal resection
- Tracheal stenting
- Tracheostomy
- Transnasal esophagoscopy
- Transoral laser microsurgery
- Videolaryngoscopy
- Vocal cord injection
- Zenker's diverticulectomy
- Zenker's diverticulotomy
Interests
- Laryngeal cancer
- Airway disorders
- Larynx and tracheal reconstruction
- Office laryngeal botox injections
- Office laryngeal laser procedures
- Office transnasal esophagoscopy
- Regenerative Medicine
- Spasmodic dysphonia
- Swallowing disorders
- Voice disorders
- Professional voice
Mayo Clinic locations
Education
- 2011
Fellow - Laryngeal Surgery and Professional VoiceHarvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital
- 2010
Resident - Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery; Chief Resident 2009-2010Head & Neck Institute, Cleveland Clinic
- 2005
Internship - General SurgeryDepartment of General Surgery, Cleveland Clinic
- 2004
MDCarver College of Medicine, University of Iowa
- 1999
BS - Exercise ScienceNorthern Arizona University
Activities and honors
Certifications
- 2011
Otolaryngology-Head & Neck SurgeryAmerican Board of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
Awards and honors
- 2021
Blue Sky WinnerNational Science Foundation
- 2021
Top 10% of Most Cited OtolaryngologistsDoximity
- 2021
Honorable Mention Award in Basic ScienceTriological Society
- 2021
Distinguished ClinicianMayo Clinic
- 2020
2020 Top Provider Recognition AwardMayo Clinic Arizona
- 2020
Top Provider Recognition AwardMayo Clinic Arizona
- 2017
Young Faculty/Practitioner AwardAmerican Laryngological Association
- 2017
Highlighted Article: Lab-grown Voice Boxes Aim to Offer a New Option for Larynx Cancer PatientsSTAT Plus
- 2017
Recipient, Collaborative Travel GrantMayo Clinic-Karolinska Institutet
- 2017
Distinguished Scientist ExhibitMuseum of Science & History
- 2016
Best Original Research ArticleMovement Disorders
- 2016
First Place PosterFall Voice Conference
- 2016
Transform the Practice Award RecipientMayo Clinic Arizona
- 2016
Highlighted Article: Giving Them Their VoiceMayo Clinic Magazine
- 2016
Distinguished Scientist ExhibitMayo Clinic Research Information Center, Rochester, MN
- 2015
Top Voice Doctors in AmericaBillboard Magazine
- 2014
Second Place Poster Award38th Annual Congress and Nursing Symposium, Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Head-Neck Nurses
- 2009
David W. Brewer Award for Best Research PosterVoice Foundation Annual Symposium
- 2009
Invited Research PresenterVoice Foundation Annual Symposium
- 2009
Resident Research AwardCleveland Clinic
- 2009
Henry Williams Resident Research AwardTriological Society Middle Section Meeting
- 2009
First Place Poster AwardTriological Society Middle Section Meeting
- 2004
Research DistinctionCarver College of Medicine, University of Iowa
- 2002
Award for Excellence in the Area of Genetics and Birth DefectsNational Student Research Forum March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
- 2002
Edward S. Reynolds Award in Investigative PathologyNational Student Research Forum
- 2002
Sigma Xi Award for Overall Excellence in ResearchNational Student Research Forum
- 2001
Student Research AwardAmerican Society of Hematology
- 1999
Magna Cum LaudeNorthern Arizona University
- 1999
President's Prize (Most Outstanding Student Overall)Northern Arizona University
- 1999
Gold Axe Award (Outstanding Service to School & Community)Northern Arizona University
- 1998
Outstanding Junior Scholar AwardNorthern Arizona University
Professional memberships
- 2022 - present
MentorA2Leadership
- 2022 - present
Medical DirectorSpeech Language Pathology Clinical Fellowship, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science
- 2022 - present
Full MemberAmerican Laryngological Association
- 2022 - present
MemberMembership Committee, American Laryngological Association
- 2022 - present
MemberBoard of Governors, International Broncho-Esophagological Society
- 2021 - present
MemberTransplant Quality Committee, Mayo Clinic Arizona Committees
- 2021 - present
Diversity Department ChairMayo Clinic Center for Regenerative Medicine-Arizona, Mayo Clinic Center for Regenerative Medicine
- 2018 - 2019
MemberInternet Curriculum Committee, American Laryngological Association
- 2018 - present
MemberManufacturing Quality and Compliance Subcommittee, Mayo Clinic Center for Regenerative Medicine
- 2017 - present
MemberResearch Operations Management Team, Executive Operations Team - Arizona, Mayo Clinic Arizona Committees
- 2017 - present
MemberExecutive Committee, Mayo Clinic Center for Regenerative Medicine
- 2017 - present
Associate DirectorMayo Clinic Center for Regenerative Medicine-Arizona, Mayo Clinic Center for Regenerative Medicine
- 2017 - present
MemberInternational Broncho-Esophagological Society
- 2015 - present
MemberCenter for Regenerative Medicine Biomaterials Resource Prioritization Committee, Mayo Clinic Center for Regenerative Medicine
- 2015 - present
MemberAmerican Broncho-Esophagological Association
- 2014 - present
Planning and DevelopmentMayo Clinic Voice Program - Southwest Vocal Competition with Phoenix Opera Company
- 2014 - present
MemberCenter for Procedural Innovation Coordinating Subcommittee, Education Committee, Executive Operations Team - Arizona
- 2014 - present
MemberRegenerative Medicine Knowledge Content Board, AskMayoExpert
- 2013 - 2022
Post Graduate MemberAmerican Laryngological Association
- 2013 - 2020
MemberCancer Center Research Committee-Arizona, Research Operations Management Team, Executive Operations Team - Arizona
- 2013 - 2017
MemberGraduate Education Subcommittee-Arizona, Graduate Medical Education Committee, Mayo Clinic Arizona Committees
- 2013 - present
ChairClinical Competency Committee, Otolaryngology Residency Program, Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery/Audiology
- 2013 - present
Medical DirectorASU Voice Internship
- 2012 - 2015
Post Graduate MemberAmerican Broncho-Esophagological Association
- 2012 - present
MemberArizona Society of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery
- 2012 - present
MemberAmerican Laryngological, Rhinological, and Otological Society, Inc. (Triological Society)
- 2011 - present
FacultyOtolaryngology Residency Program, Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery/Audiology
- 2011 - present
DiplomatAmerican Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
- 2010 - present
ParticipantWorld Voice Day, American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
- 2004 - present
MemberAmerican Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
- 2002 - 2004
ChairHonor Council, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa
- 2002
FounderHonor Council, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa
- 2002
MemberStudent Review Course Committee, United States Medical Licensing Board, National Board of Medical Examiners
- 2001 - 2002
DirectorApplicant Hosting Program, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa
- 2001
MemberCurriculum Review Committee, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa
- 2001
FounderApplicant Hosting Program, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa
- 2000 - 2004
MemberAmerican Medical Student Association
- 2000 - 2002
MemberMedical Student Ambassador Program, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa
- 2000 - present
MemberAmerican Medical Association
Publications
Research activities