Carla A. Brandon

cab28@pitt.edu
412-648-8520 or 1-866-501-6999

Research Coordinator, Center for Craniofacial and Dental Genetics, Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh

M.S., University of Pittsburgh, 2004
B.S., Messiah College, 1999

Research Interests

As one of the coordinators for our Center’s Oral-Facial Cleft study, my current research interests include investigating phenotypic variations related to nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate in various populations. Specifically of interest is dermatoglyphic variation in individuals with cleft lip and palate cases and their family members, as well as those affected with other developmental disorders, such as Nail Patella syndrome. Additionally, I am interested in how maternal factors, such as obesity, could be possible risk factors for orofacial clefts.

Assessing ancestral origins using genetic markers has developed as an interest for me from working with various Latin American populations of mixed ethnicities. Further knowledge about ancestral origin is important because phenotypic prevalences and allelic frequencies vary in different populations.  Gaining more informative ancestral information using DNA helps to correctly group individuals for genetic and epidemiological analysis.

Career Interests

One of the highlights of working at the Center is the opportunity to expand our research project in other countries by forming ongoing collaborations.  I have had the opportunity to participate in 3 medical/surgical missions with Children of the Americas, a Kentucky based organization which provides free healthcare to the people of Guatemala during yearly missions. This experience has lead to a new collaboration in Tiquisate, Guatemala. I also traveled to Madrid, Spain with a team of researchers from our Center to collect data on families with cleft lip and palate through the Cleft Craniofacial Clinic at the Hospital Infantil, Universitario Niño Jesús.  Additionally, I participated in a research expedition to Patagonia, Argentina with the Estudio Colaborativo Latino-Americano de Malformaciones Congénitas. From these collaborations, I have become interested in international health and have spent the past few years brushing up on my Spanish language skills. Currently, I am continuing my education in Public Health.