Emma C. Paes (1984, Mainz, Germany) started to study medicine at the University of Utrecht in 2002. Her interest in plastic surgery developed primarily by her proceedings in the anatomy department during her study. This is also where she conducted her first scientific work, by performing cadaver dissections to investigate the anatomic features of the internal mammary artery perforator flap. Awaiting the start of her training in plastic surgery in 2012, Emma chose to work as a junior teacher in head and neck anatomy, under the auspices of professor Ronald Bleys. In 2015 she defended her Ph.D. thesis entitled “progress toward understanding infants with Robin sequence”. Since 2017 she works as a pediatric reconstructive plastic surgeon at the University Medical Centre and Princess Máxima Center, Utrecht. She is involved in post-oncologic (pediatric) reconstructions, microtia and facial nerve reconstructions, and the treatment of pediatric vascular anomalies. Since 2021 she also participates in the Cleft Team of the Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital. She currently supervises various research projects in cleft care. Special interest goes out for infants with the Robin sequence.