The Student-Trainee Chapter (STC) is a new initiative designed to bring together students and trainees from across all disciplines and stages of education who share a passion for cleft and craniofacial care. Whether you’re a master’s student, PhD candidate, medical student, resident, dental student, or pursuing a cleft/craniofacial fellowship, the STC welcomes you to sign up. Please note that the STC is available for ACPA student or early career members only.
Are you interested in serving on the STC Council from July 2026 to June 2027? Click here to submit the interest form. Positions will be selected at the beginning of June.
Goals of the STC:
- Increase Exposure: Introduce students and trainees to the cleft/craniofacial field and the various subspecialties involved, expanding their knowledge and fostering a passion for the field.
- Broaden Engagement: Encourage students and trainees to actively participate in ACPA’s offerings and opportunities.
- Peer Networking and Interdisciplinary Relationships: Facilitate relationships between peers across disciplines, allowing for collaboration, mentorship, and support.
- Career Development: Provide resources, guidance, and connections to help students and trainees navigate their career paths in the cleft and craniofacial field.
2025 – 2026 STC Council:
President – Lucas Harrison, MD
Lucas Harrison is a fifth-year plastic surgery resident at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. He plans to apply for a craniofacial fellowship and pursue a career in academic surgery, taking care of children with cleft and craniofacial conditions. He is actively involved in ACPA and clinical craniofacial research. He looks forward to developing the STC, which will provide opportunities for students, and expanding the membership.
Vice President – Ananya Shah
Ananya Shah is a fourth-year medical student at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. She is passionate about promoting equitable access to cleft and craniofacial care and fostering mentorship opportunities for trainees. She’s excited to work with the rest of this excellent leadership team to strengthen connections between members, spark collaboration across institutions, and support initiatives that prepare and inspire the next generation of cleft and craniofacial specialists.
Education Chair – Hannah Xu
Hannah Xu is a fourth-year medical student at the University of Michigan. She is applying to plastic and reconstructive surgery with goals to expand access to cleft and craniofacial care for underserved communities and enhance surgical resident education. Her work focuses on leveraging technology, multidisciplinary collaboration, and innovative training tools to improve patient outcomes and surgical education, with a vision to eliminate geographic and socioeconomic barriers to high-quality reconstructive care.
Secretary – Emmanuel Aladenika
Emmanuel Aladenika earned a Bachelor of Science in Physiology and a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (equivalent to DDS) from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. He also holds certificates in College Teaching and Biostatistics from the University of Iowa, where he is currently pursuing a PhD in Oral Sciences. Emmanuel conducts his research in the Butali Laboratory, with a focus on identifying genetic determinants of orofacial clefts (OFC). He actively engages in scientific discussions, presenting his work at local, national, and international conferences. With over ten publications, several manuscripts under review, and significant contributions to numerous other studies, Emmanuel is deeply committed to advancing scientific knowledge.
National Advisor – Howard Wang – ACPA Membership Committee Member
