The CARE team is comprised of a interdisciplinary group of more than 20 members from 7 countries. Our team members include advocates, researchers, and healthcare providers. Currently, our study structure includes two primary study sites (Seattle Children’s Research Institute in the US and the University of the West of England in the UK), a number of subcommittees, and an Advisory Council.

CARE Principal Investigators

Carrie Heike, MD, MS

I am a pediatrician at Seattle Children's Hospital and associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine. I have a passion for providing interdisciplinary team care to children with craniofacial conditions.  My research focuses on the epidemiology of craniofacial conditions, clinical outcomes, quality improvement, patient-centered outcomes, interdisciplinary care, and team science.

Nicola Stock, DPhil

I am a Senior Research Psychologist for the Centre for Appearance Research, based at the University of the West of England, Bristol in the UK.  My research focuses on the psychological impact of craniofacial conditions, and interventions to support psychological health.  Together with my talented colleagues, I work toward ensuring that everyone has the resources they need to confidently navigate the challenges that come with having a craniofacial condition. 

Seattle Children’s Research Institute

University of the West of England, Bristol

Albert Hsu

I began working at Seattle Children’s in 2007 after graduating from Washington State University, where I earned a BS in psychology. I have been a research coordinator for a number of studies involving a wide range of topics including public transportation, physical activity interventions for preschoolers, youth concussion, and craniofacial differences.

Angela Mills

I am a clinical research coordinator at Seattle Children’s. A career pivot took me from being a classically trained cellist and arts administrator to clinical research! In addition to the CARE Study, I am the coordinator for various research projects in the craniofacial and otolaryngology departments at Seattle Children’s. I have greatly enjoyed connecting with families on the CARE Study and I look forward to continued connection in the CFM community.

Christy McKinney, PhD, MPH

I am an Associate Professor of Craniofacial Medicine in Pediatrics in the School of Medicine at the University of Washington. I am an epidemiologist based at Seattle Children’s. My focus in translational research is on generating new knowledge and tools that directly translate into improved care and oral and craniofacial health for young children globally. My research interests include nutrition and growth, early feeding, and environmental exposures in young children. I also focus on training the next generation of clinical and community-based researchers.

Erik Stuhaug

I am a medical photographer and imaging specialist with the Craniofacial Center and regularly assist with a variety of research projects throughout Seattle Children’s Hospital. In addition to medical photography, I specialize in multi-lens 3-D digital stereophotogrammetry in both research and clinic environments. I have won numerous awards for my fine art and editorial work, including honors from Nikon USA and Artween. My photographs are held by a number of private collections.

Beth Herring, PhD

I am a Research Associate based at the University of the West of England, Bristol, UK.  My interests lie primarily in the broad psychosocial impact of health conditions and treatment which may alter physical appearance.  I am passionate about exploring on the effect of illness on patients and their families, their experiences and support needs as well as interventions to support psychological health and well-being. Through my work I have collaborated with various stakeholders including patient advisors, informal carers, researchers, clinicians and charities both in the UK and around the world.   My previous research has also explored the psychosocial impact of breast cancer in men and women. I very much look forward to working with the CARE team to help support individuals and their families living with a craniofacial condition.

Bruna Costa, MSc

I am a Research Fellow at the Centre for Appearance Research based at the University of the West of England, Bristol, UK. I am also a trainee health psychologist. My interests lie primarily in health conditions that alter physical appearance. I have experience in the area of craniofacial health conditions, including cleft lip and/or palate, craniosynostosis and craniofacial microsomia. As part of my work, I have collaborated with national and international researchers, academics, clinicians and charitable organisations. My research can be found in a range of leading academic journals, including the Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal.

Débora Blaso

I recently completed my MSc in Health Psychology at UWE. My dissertation explored the impact of fashion clothing involvement (i.e., the importance of fashion to one’s sense of self) on body image and mental health among Brazilian women. After successfully completing my MSc placement at CAR, I secured a post as a Research Associate within the craniofacial team. I'm funded on CARE (Craniofacial microsomia: Accelerating Research and Education), although I'm also involved in many other projects about the psychosocial impacts of craniofacial conditions, including cleft lip and/or palate, craniosynostosis and craniofacial microsomia.

Jade Parnell, PhD

I am a Research Fellow at the Centre for Appearance Research, based at the University of the West of England, Bristol, UK. Over 8 years of my professional career has been dedicated to research aiming to improve young people's body image and increase society's acceptance of underrepresented appearances (including those with CFM and other craniofacial conditions). Previously I have collaborated with various stakeholders, including educators and parents. I joined the CARE team in October 2022 and enjoy continuing to support individuals and their families in this important area.

Danielle Keohane

Danielle Keohane is a Research Associate based at the University of the West of England (UWE) and works full-time on the CARE project. She studied her undergraduate degree at the University of Cambridge and has two Masters degrees. Her primary research interests are in the interface between physical and mental health conditions, particularly relating to craniofacial differences. Along the way, Danielle has delivered conference and symposium talks at the Royal College of Medicine, the Royal College of Nursing and at the American Pyschology-Law Society Conference in Seattle. Danielle was born with a cleft lip and palate herself, and enjoys getting involved in advocacy and patient/public engagement work both as part of her work and outside of work for charity organisations.