I graduated from the University of Iowa in 2005 with a BA in Anthropology. I have been working in cleft research since 2008. My main roles have been study coordination, subject recruitment, database management, literature reviews and data analysis. I have been very fortunate to work on cleft studies focusing on psychosocial outcomes, genetics, and clinical outcomes to develop a comprehensive knowledge of the etiology of clefting as well has how individuals and families are affected by oral clefts during their lifespans.