Felicity Vidya Mehendale

Felicity Vidya Mehendale serves as a Senior Lecturer at the Usher Institute within the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine at the University of Edinburgh. She is affiliated with the Deanery of Molecular, Genetic and Population Health Sciences and the Centre for Global Health Research, where she leads significant work in orofacial cleft research and AI applications in global cleft care.

Dr. Mehendale holds a Doctor of Medicine (MS General Surgery) from Tata Memorial Cancer Centre, University of Bombay, and a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from Grant Medical College, Sir JJ Hospital, University of Bombay. Her educational background in surgery and medicine has provided the foundation for her specialized work in cleft lip and palate treatment.

Her research focuses primarily on cleft lip and palate conditions, with particular expertise in orofacial cleft care, surgical outcomes evaluation using AI technologies, and global health applications. Dr. Mehendale leads the "AI for Better Global Cleft Care" program, which includes projects like "Cleft fAIces" (analyzing over 4.5 million facial photographs) and "Cleft Speech AI." She also investigates airway management in infants with craniofacial conditions like Pierre Robin Syndrome and has conducted important research on aerosol dispersion and virus transmission risk during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Analysis of Dr. Mehendale's recent publications reveals a strong focus on global cleft care research, with increasing integration of artificial intelligence methodologies. Her work spans clinical outcomes research, public health approaches to cleft care, and innovative technological applications for evaluating surgical results. Recent publications demonstrate her leadership in international collaborations addressing cleft care challenges in low- and middle-income countries, as well as her expertise in 3D facial imaging analysis for treatment evaluation.

Among her notable recognitions are:

• Academic Lead for Public Engagement, Usher Institute (2020)
• Arnold Huddart Medal (2001 and 2000)
• Chair of the International Cleft Congress, Edinburgh Cleft 2022 (2017)
• Hallett Prize (1991)

Dr. Mehendale actively supervises research students and is currently accepting PhD candidates for projects under the "AI for Better Global Cleft Care" program. She has secured numerous research grants supporting her work on cleft care innovation, including projects examining aerosol generating procedures in medical settings and improving cleft palate treatment through acoustic analysis. Her research portfolio demonstrates strong international collaboration, with projects spanning multiple continents and involving diverse healthcare systems.

She leads research teams focused on the intersection of AI technology and cleft care, including the Cleft fAIces project analyzing facial photographs and the Cleft Speech AI initiative. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she contributed to important research on face coverings and aerosol dispersion, with multiple datasets published through Edinburgh DataShare. Her work bridges clinical practice, technological innovation, and global health equity, with a particular emphasis on improving outcomes for children with craniofacial conditions worldwide.