Research and Advancements

Research at the Morris Center focuses on improving the understanding of cleft lips, cleft palates and craniosynostosis. We are always looking for ways to push the envelope and discover cutting-edge interventions for the children we serve. The Morris Center has funds earmarked for research related to this mission. Our team leaders, Drs. Hoppe and Humphries, are actively engaged in ongoing research to keep advancing scientific knowledge here and around the world.

Dr. Humphries and Dr. Hoppe with PGY-4 resident Dr. Michael Lebhar shortly after winning the S. Anthony Wolfe Best Craniofacial Presentation Award at the Southeastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons Meeting in Palm Beach, FL. June 2025

From left to right. Dr. McIntyre, Dr. Hoppe, Dr. Brown, Dr. Humphries, Dr. Elver, Dr. Googe, Dr. Lebhar, Dr. Walker at the Southeastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, Palm Beach FL, June 2025.

Dr. Hoppe introducing Dr. Scott Bartlett as a keynote speaker at the Southeastern Society of Plastic Surgeons Meeting in Palm Beach, FL, in June of 2025.

Dr. Ashlie Elver, PGY 3 resident, after receiving Best Poster Award at the prestigious American Association of Plastic Surgeons Meeting in Austin TX, May 2025.

Left to right: Dr. Hoppe, Dr. Fernstrum, Dr. Elver, Dr. Lignieres and Dr. Arnold at the American Association of Plastic Surgeons meeting in Austin TX, May 2025.

Left to right: Dr. Hecox, Dr. Elver, Dr. Islam, Dr. Lignieres, Dr. Hoppe, Dr. Arnold and Dr. Fernstrum celebrating Dr. Hoppe's induction into the American Association of Plastic Surgeons in Austin TX, May 2025.

Dr. Fernstrum, Sami Morin (2025 Research Fellow) and Dr. Hoppe at the American Association of Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting in Austin, TX, May 2025.

Dr. Hoppe and Dr. Humphries moderating a panel on cutting edge techniques in craniosynostosis treatment at The American Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Association's Annual Meeting in Palm Springs, CA, May 2025.

Dr. Hoppe and Dr. Humphries moderating a panel on cutting edge techniques in craniosynostosis treatment at The American Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Association's Annual Meeting in Palm Springs, CA, May 2025.

2025 Research Fellow, Samantha Morin, presenting her research at the American Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Association's Annual Meeting in Palm Springs, CA, May 2025.

Residents, Dr. Hoppe and Dr. Humphries hosted the Division's 2025 Visiting Hendrix Lecturer, Dr. Scott Bartlett, for lunch at Gibbs & Sons in Learned, MS.

The Division of Plastic Surgery hosting the 2025 Hendrix Visiting Lecturer, Dr. Scott Bartlett.

Chief Resident Dr. John Sullivan presenting his research at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA, October 2024.

PGY-5 resident Dr. Katie Brown presenting her research at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA, October 2024.

Chief Resident Dr. John Sullivan presenting his research at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA, October 2024.

PGY-3 resident Dr. Ashlie Elver presenting her research at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA, October 2024.

Fourth year medical student Matthew Sink presenting his research at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA, October 2024.

Dr. Hoppe and Dr. Lebhar at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA, October 2024.

The Plastic Surgery Division at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA, October 2024.

PGY-3 resident Dr. Michael Lebhar presenting in the prestigious Glancy resident competition at the Southeastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons meeting in Sea Island, GA, June 2024.

MD-PHD student Shelley Edwards presenting her research at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA, October 2024.

PGY-3 resident Dr. Ashlie Elver presenting her research at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA, October 2024.

The Plastic Surgery Division at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA, October 2024.

PGY-3 resident Dr. Ashlie Elver presenting her research at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA, October 2024.

Fourth year medical student Alex Velazquez presenting his research at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA, October 2024.

Fourth year medical student Alex Velazquez presenting his research at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA, October 2024.

PGY-4 resident Dr. Colton Fernstrum presenting his research at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA, October 2024.

Dr. Hoppe presenting at the Southeastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons in Sea Island, GA, June 2024.

Left to right: Dr. Waetjen, Dr. Walker, Dr. Lebhar, Dr. Hoppe and Dr. Fernstrum at the Southeastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons in Sea Island, GA, June 2024.

PGY-3 resident Dr. Colton Fernstrum presenting his research at the Southeastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons meeting in Sea Island, GA, June 2024.

PGY-3 resident Dr. Ashlie Elver presenting her research at the American Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Association's annual meeting in Denver, CO, April 2024.

Fourth year medical student Brittany Corder presenting her research at the American Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Association's annual meeting in Denver, CO, April 2024.

The Plastic Surgery Division at the American Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Association's annual meeting in Denver, CO, April 2024.

The Plastic Surgery Division at the American Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Association's annual meeting in Denver, CO, April 2024.

PGY-3 resident Dr. Emily Hecox presenting her research at the American Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Association's annual meeting in Denver, CO, April 2024.

The plastic surgery team at the American Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Association's annual meeting in Denver, CO, April 2024.

PGY-3 resident Dr. Ashlie Elver presenting her research at the American Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Association's annual meeting in Denver, CO, April 2024.

Third year medical student Shelby Goza presenting his research at the American Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Association's annual meeting in Denver, CO, April 2024.

PGY-5 resident Dr. John Sullivan presenting his research at the American Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Association's annual meeting in Denver, CO, April 2024.

Third year medical student Alex Velazquez presenting his research at the American Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Association's annual meeting in Denver, CO, April 2024.

Genetic counselor Emily Boothe presenting her research at the American Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Association's annual meeting in Denver, CO, April 2024.

The Plastic Surgery Division at The American Society of Plastic Surgeons' Annual Meeting in Austin, TX, October 2023.

The Plastic Surgery Division at the International Society of Craniofacial Surgeons' annual meeting in Seattle, WA, September 2023.

Third year medical student Shelby Goza presenting his research at the International Society of Craniofacial Surgeons' annual meeting in Seattle, WA, September 2023.

Third year medical student Matthew Sink presenting his research at the International Society of Craniofacial Surgeons' annual meeting in Seattle, WA, September 2023.

PGY-4 resident Dr. Katie Brown presenting her research at the International Society of Craniofacial Surgeons' annual meeting in Seattle, WA, September 2023.

PGY-5 resident Dr. John Sullivan presenting his research at the International Society of Craniofacial Surgeons' annual meeting in Seattle, WA, September 2023.

Third year medical student Alex Velazquez presenting his research at the International Society of Craniofacial Surgeons' annual meeting in Seattle, WA, September 2023.

Left to right: Dr. Mcintyre, Dr. Hecox, Dr. Hoppe, Dr. Davis, Dr. Lebhar, Dr. Galarza, Dr. Humphries and Dr. Walker at the Southeastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons' annual meeting in Nassau, Bahamas, June 2023.

Second year medical student John Phillips presenting his research at the American Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Association's annual meeting in Raleigh, NC, May 2023.

Second year medical student Alex Velazquez presenting his research at the American Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Association's annual meeting in Raleigh, NC, May 2023.

The plastic surgery team at the American Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Association's annual meeting in Raleigh, NC, May 2023.

Third year medical student Madyson Brown presenting her research at the American Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Association's annual meeting in Raleigh, NC, May 2023.

PGY-2 resident Dr. Colton Fernstrum presenting his research at the American Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Association's annual meeting in Raleigh, NC, May 2023.

Second year medical student Matthew Sink presenting his research at the American Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Association's annual meeting in Raleigh, NC, May 2023.

PGY-4 resident Dr. John Sullivan presenting his research at the American Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Association's annual meeting in Raleigh, NC, May 2023.

Second year medical student Shelby Goza presenting his research at the Plastic Surgery Research Council's annual meeting in Cleveland, OH, April 2023.

Second year medical student Alex Velazquez presenting his research at the Plastic Surgery Research Council's annual meeting in Cleveland, OH, April 2023.

Alex Velazquez, Shelby Goza, Dr. Galarza and Dr.Hoppe at the Plastic Surgery Research Council's annual meeting in Cleveland, OH, April 2023.

Dr. Fernstrum, Dr. Hoppe and Shelley Edwards at the American Association of Plastic Surgeons' annual meeting in Chicago, IL, May 2023.

PGY-2 resident Dr. Colton Fernstrum presenting his research at the American Association of Plastic Surgeons' annual meeting in Chicago, IL, May 2023.

MD-PHD student Shelley Edwards presenting her research at the American Association of Plastic Surgeons' annual meeting in Chicago, IL, May 2023.