Alicia Morgan

Dr. Alicia Morgan received her Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Pittsburgh in 2020 and her Master’s degree in Biological and Forensic Anthropology from Mercyhurst University in 2013. Prior to her appointment at the Duquesne University College of Osteopathic Medicine, she was an assistant professor of physical therapy at Clarkson University and a clinical lab professional at Duquesne University in the Rangos School of Health Sciences.

As an instructor, Dr. Morgan focuses on experiential, kinesthetic-tactile techniques to promote long-term retention of concepts and steer students away from short-term, rote-memorization tactics. She is most passionate about teaching the musculoskeletal system and understanding human movement—if you can visualize it in your mind, you can interpret actions and ditch the stack of flashcards. Above all, Dr. Morgan advocates for the use of cadaver-based dissection in teaching. Anatomical donors are our silent teachers, our first patients, and the greatest opportunity and gift for students in healthcare fields.

Dr. Morgan has gained an appreciation for hands-on experience and practical application of classroom concepts through her participation in active forensic casework across her undergraduate and graduate career. She strives to provide a similar experience for graduate students through classroom activities and encourages students to take initiative to try alternative ways of viewing or dissecting structures in the anatomy lab. This enables graduate students to practice as professionals and know their expertise is valued. Dr. Morgan is passionate about creating a learning environment where students feel comfortable approaching the faculty and are open to making and learning from mistakes. At the end of the day, healthcare professionals are lifelong learners—knowledge is always advancing and the more opportunities for our students to practice self-regulating their own learning experience, the better clinicians they will become.

Dr. Morgan’s research interests lie primarily within the fields of forensic and biological anthropology with a general focus on musculoskeletal health, in particular factors affecting intrinsic bone tissue properties, bone remodeling, fracture propagation, and skeletal trauma. The primary driving factor for this research is the understanding that interpretation of skeletal injury relies not only on knowledge of the extrinsic factors related to the formation of skeletal injury, but the intrinsic properties of the bone as well. Much of the current forensic research is focused specifically on understanding the extrinsic factors, homogenizing the affected bone. Overall, Dr. Morgan believes that the inclusion of research opportunities and evidence-based practice into the curriculum helps develop clinicians that are better able to consume scientific literature and that are more efficient in making sound, evidence-based clinical decisions.

• Ph.D. in Anthropology, University of Pittsburgh
• MS in Biological and Forensic Anthropology, Mercyhurst University

• Forensic and biological anthropology with a general focus on musculoskeletal health, in particular factors affecting intrinsic bone tissue properties, bone remodeling, fracture propagation, and skeletal trauma