Thomas Troia

I'm a Research Fellow at UT Southwestern in Dallas, where I work with reconstructive surgeons to improve techniques in autologous breast reconstruction. My research focuses on optimizing surgical outcomes, increasing OR efficiency, and exploring innovative approaches to flap design and patient care. I first became interested in medicine through time spent at Gillette Children’s Hospital, where my two older siblings received care for cerebral palsy. Watching their surgeries and rehab sparked a fascination with how medicine, design, and function come together—something I now explore more deeply in reconstructive surgery. Outside of medicine, I’m passionate about architecture and design, and I love skiing whenever I get the chance. Whether I’m working on a clinical trial for postpartum hypertension or analyzing imaging to streamline surgery scheduling, I’m always thinking about how to make systems more thoughtful, efficient, and patient-centered.