AI & Spine Tech Trailblazer | Translational Research Leader

Dr. Morgan Giers, PhD, is an innovative leader in spine research translation. She currently serves as Assistant Professor of Bioengineering at Oregon State University and is the Cofounder & CTO of Spine by Design, Inc., a company harnessing AI to improve surgical decision-making and reduce complications for spine patients.

Dr. Giers leads the ORS Spine Section Translational Task Force, bringing together academic, clinical and industry perspectives to advance patient-centered spine care. Her research focuses on optimizing patient-procedure fit through the power of machine learning, imaging and cell-based therapies. 

From non-invasive MRI mapping of intervertebral disc nutrition, to modeling post-injection nutrient dynamics, to predicting patient outcomes and pathophysiology, her work integrates spine biology, biomechanics and cutting-edge technology to solve clinically meaningful problems. Dr. Giers has guided dozens of students across the field, and has shared her work at 80+ scientific meetings and in numerous high-impact scientific journals. Her expertise spans:

• AI and surgical planning
• IVD biology and mechanics
• Cryopreservation and bioreactor technologies
• Image analysis and spine therapeutics
• Bioseparations (unit operations)

Her academic journey includes a B.S. in Chemical Engineering (Missouri S&T), Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering (Arizona State University) and a postdoc in Neurosurgery Research at Barrow Neurological Institute — each step reflecting a commitment to real-world impact and innovation.