Morgan Cody is a medical student at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and a research fellow in the Department of Plastic Surgery under Dr. Vu T. Nguyen, MD. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduating from the Honors College with highest distinction.
Her research experience spans basic science, translational research, and clinical outcomes research. As an AACR Scholar at UNC, she conducted research in the laboratory of Stephen D. Hursting, PhD, investigating the relationships among obesity, metabolism, and breast cancer. She subsequently pursued clinical and translational research as a Hillman Medical Student Fellow in the Lee-Oesterreich Laboratory at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and Magee-Womens Research Institute, focusing on invasive lobular breast cancer, metastatic disease, and patients’ experiences of diagnosis and treatment. These experiences reinforced her commitment to improving care for women across the breast cancer continuum.
Her current clinical research focuses on patient-centered outcomes in breast reconstruction and breast cancer-related lymphedema, with an emphasis on quality of life and long-term survivorship.
Morgan’s surgical education research evaluates plastic surgery training pathways, competency-based assessment, and curriculum development. She hopes to pursue a career in academic plastic surgery focused on advancing care for women affected by breast cancer and contributing to surgical education.