My aim in research is to better understand the etiology and improve the treatment of patients with craniofacial anomalies, in particular cleft palate and Robin sequence. This includes the development of a new surgical technique (unilateral myomucosal buccinator flap) to improve speech outcomes in patients with velopharyngeal insufficiency after cleft palate repair. My research in patients with Robin sequence (micrognathia, glossoptosis and upper airway obstruction and often cleft palate) focusses on new perspectives in its multidisciplinary treatment to improve outcomes and patient/parent counseling. For this purpose I set up an international consortium and collaborate with the University of California San Francisco Medical Center and Amsterdam University Medical Center (location VU and AMC). A part from this, I am involved in a European initiative to ensure that all children with facial anomalies receive equality in care across Europe.