Congratulations to Dr. Haenssler!

Dr. Abigail Haenssler, Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders, successfully defended her dissertation, “Anatomical and Physiological Changes Following Primary Palatoplasty Using the Buccal Flap Approach” under the direction of Dr. Jamie Perry.

Dr. Haenssler’s research has been primarily focused on the effectiveness of surgical protocols and the anatomical and physiological changes that occur after primary cleft palate repair surgery. More specifically, her work has helped define anatomic velopharyngeal and craniofacial changes related to the use of the buccal flap repair. Her work will help identify which cleft repair technique creates a more favorable velopharyngeal system for speech production, subsequently reducing overall medical costs and improving the quality of clinical care in this population.

Dr. Haenssler will begin a postdoctoral fellow position at MGH Institute of Health Professions in the Fall. There she will be continuing her research efforts alongside Dr. Jordan Green and Dr. Kate Connaghan in the Speech and Feeding Disorders Laboratory.