The olfactory epithelium in the nose houses the olfactory sensory neurons, serving as the peripheral organ for smell. Acquired injury or loss of olfactory neurons can occur due to trauma, infection or inflammatory insults. Fortunately, a remarkable repair capacity exists, in the form of basal stem cells capable of reconstituting the epithelium following damage. This system has been well-studied in rodent models, providing insights into the mechanisms maintaining normal neuronal turnover or wholesale neuroepithelial repair following experimentally-induced injury. However, acquired olfactory disorders occur in humans, suggesting that reparative mechanisms are imperfect. In an effort to better understand acquired olfactory disorders and consider possible treatment strategies, we have utilized new approaches to analyze human olfactory epithelium. For this symposium on regenerative activity in the gustatory and olfactory systems, we will summarize findings investigating neurogenesis in rodent and adult human olfactory epithelium, with a focus on efforts to begin to translate advances to address human sensorineural olfactory disorders.