Dr Fried's research interests are in the realm of technical applications for the improvement of surgery as it relates to disorders of the head and neck. This has included laser applications and safety, computer-assisted and image-guided surgery, and surgical simulation. He has been the principal investigator on grants issues by the Department of Defense, as well as current investigator from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.He is currently investigating the use of sophisticated surgical simulation for training of residents and physicians for endoscopic sinus surgery and its relationship to the improvement of patient safety. He has authored over 150 original reports, reviews, and chapters, as well as books and monographs. He has been the Senior Editor of two editions of a definitive textbook on laryngeal disorders.

His awards include first place award for Basic Research in Otolaryngology as a Resident from the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology (1975), the Edmund Prince Fowler Award for Basic Science Research from the American Laryngological, Rhinological, and Otological Society (Triologic Society) 1984, the Honor Award of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 1988, and the Mark Award for Contributions to the Advancement of Laser Medicine and Surgery in 1994 from the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery. He received the Medal of the City of Paris in 1987. He has been listed in the Best Doctors in America; Best Doctors in New York (Castle Connolly Medical LTD), as well as in "New York's Top 100 Minimally Invasive Surgeons," and "New York's Best Doctors" (New York Magazine). He has been President of the Society of University Otolaryngologists-Head and Neck Surgeons, and the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery. He has been President of the American Rhinologic Society, and is the current president of the American Laryngological Association. He has also served on numerous committees for other organizations, such as, the American Society for Head and Neck Surgery, the American Broncho-Esophagological Association, and the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.