Congratulations Abigail Haenssler!

Congratulations to Abigail Haenssler, CSDI doctoral candidate, for receiving a CAHS Dissertation Research Grant.

Ms. Haenssler’s doctoral dissertation, “Anatomical and Physiological Changes Following Primary Palatoplasty Using the Buccal Flap Approach,” will analyze the anatomic and physiologic changes as a result of the buccal flap surgical approach for cleft palate repair. The study will use MRI to analyze the anatomic changes to validate or refute the surgical claims which can influence patient-specific surgical choices. Ms. Haenssler’s research aims to identify the cleft repair technique that will create the most favorable velopharyngeal system for speech production, subsequentially reducing overall medical costs and improving quality of life and clinical care in this population.