Jessie Z Yu
Department of Plastic Surgery, Division of Surgery
About Jessie Z Yu
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Assistant Professor, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Assistant Professor, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
Attending Physician, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Assistant Professor, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Research Interests
I have completed three years of general surgical residency at NYU Langone Medical Center, and since July 2015, I been a research fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Babak Mehrara at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Through this dedicated, two-year basic science research experience, I aim to help elucidate the pathologic mechanisms that govern lymphedema, a chronic and morbid disease, and to ultimately contribute to finding a cure. Throughout my academic training, I have always had a keen interest in research, and my long term career goal is to pursue a career in academic, translational medicine and reconstructive surgery.
As an undergraduate, I majored in molecular biology and completed four years of basic science research in the developmental biology/genetics laboratory of Nobel Laureate Dr. Eric Wieschaus. My work examined the maternal and zygotic gene interactions during early Drosophila embryogenesis, concentrating on the specification of mesoectoderm via snail-dependent modulation of Notch signal pathway, and these data became the basis for my senior thesis project and contributed to a publication in Developmental Cell. This was followed by two years of clinical and translational melanoma research at NYU Langone Medical Center under the mentorship of Dr. Iman Osman. In addition to managing a prospective clinicopathological database of >1,000 melanoma patient tissue/sera specimens and data, I also led a project examining the role of IGFBPs in melanoma pathogenesis. These data were presented as posters/abstracts at ASCO 2007 and 2008 and published in a Journal of Translational Medicine paper in 2008. During medical school and residency at NYU School of Medicine, I worked with Dr. Jennifer Ogilvie to conceptualize and implement a public health research project utilizing focus groups to examine disease awareness and barriers to care among Chinese thyroid cancer patients. This project is ongoing and our data regarding healthcare and racial disparities was presented at the New York Thyroid Club and the American Thyroid Association meetings as oral and poster presentations, respectively.
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2012 | New York University School of Medical, New York, New York, US, Medical Doctor, MD |
| 2006 | Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, US, Molecular Biology, AB |
Postgraduate Training
| 2019-2020 | Reconstructive Microsurgery Fellowship, Plastic Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2016-2019 | Clinical Residency, Plastic Surgery, New York University Langone Health, New York, New York |
| 2015-2016 | Research, Lymphedema, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York |
| 2012-2015 | Clinical Residency, General Surgery, New York University Langone Health, New York, New York |
Licenses & Certifications
| 2022 | US DOJ DEA License |
| 2021 | American Board of Plastic Surgery |
| 2021 | Fellow of the American College of Surgeons |
| 2019 | Texas Medical License |
| 2019 | NPI License |
Experience & Service
Faculty Academic Appointments
Assistant Professor, Harris Health Ben Taub Hospital, Houston, Texas, 2020 - 2023
Assistant Professor, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 2020 - 2023
Assistant Professor, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Hospital, Houston, Texas, 2020 - 2023
Fellow & Clinical Specialist, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2019 - 2020
Resident Physician, Bellevue Hospital, Houston, Texas, 2012 - 2019
Resident Physician, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, 2012 - 2019
Resident Physician, VA NY Harbor Healthcare System, New York, NY, 2012 - 2019
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Credentials Committee of the Medical Staff Member, Department of Plastic Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2025 - Present
Associate Program Director, Department of Plastic Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2024 - Present
Co-Director of Plastic Surgery Grand Rounds Regularly Scheduled Series (RSS), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2024 - Present
Director of Clinical Specialist Program, Department of Plastic Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2024 - Present
Institutional Review Board Committee Member, Department of Plastic Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2023 - Present
Admissions Interview Subcommittee, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 2022 - 2023
Departmental Lead Elective Officer (DLEO), Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Houston, Texas, 2022 - 2023
Outreach and Inclusion Committee Member, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 2021 - 2023
Residency Program Evaluation Committee Member, Department of Plastic Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 2020 - 2023
Residency Clinical Competency Committee Member, Department of Plastic Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 2020 - 2023
Plastic Surgery Administrative Chief Resident, Department of Plastic Surgery, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, 2018 - 2018
Other Professional Positions
Departmental Mentorship Committee, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2023 - Present
Extramural Institutional Committee Activities
Member, Credentials Committee of the Medical Staff, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2025 - Present
Member, Institutional Review Board, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2023 - Present
Examiner, Texas Medical Center Plastic Surgery Mock Oral Board, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2022 - Present
Teacher, Baylor College of Medicine Plas Surg Microsurgery Simulation Workshop, Baylor College of Medicine, 2022 - Present
Member, Departmental Lead Elective Office (DLEO), Baylor College of Medicine, 2022 - 2023
Assistant, Baylor College of Med Plas Surg Residency Cadaver Course, Baylor College of Medicine, 2021 - Present
Honors & Awards
| 2023 | Plastic Surgery Teaching Award, Plastic Surgery Research Council |
| 2022 | Outstanding Faculty Teaching Award, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery |
| 2019 | Winner of Fellowship Best Case, Best Save 2019, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2012 | Dr. Saul J. Farber Research Award in Public Health, New York University School of Medicine |
| 2012 | Arnold P. Gold Foundation Leonard J. Tow Humanism in Medicine Award, New York University School of Medicine |
| 2012 | Valentine Mott Surgery Award, New York University School of Medicine |
| 2006 | Princeton University Sigma Xi Book Award, Princeton University |
| 2004 - 2005 | Howard Hughes Medical Institute Summer Student Scientist, Princeton University |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2024. Pre-Operative Workup and Flap Selection. Invited. Fellowship Microsurgical Skills Course. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2024. Oral Boards and Case Collection. Invited. Fellowship Professional Series. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2023. Forehead and Scalp Reconstruction. Plastic Surgery The Meeting 2023. Austin, TX, US.
- 2023. Pre-Operative Workup For a Free Flap. Invited. Fellowship Microsurgical Skills Course. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2022. Recurrence of Symptomatic Hiatal Hernia Following Abdominoplasty: A Case Report. Invited. Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons Annual Conference. Bastrop, Texas, US.
- 2022. Nasal Reconstruction with Helical Rim Flap: Adapting the Operative Approach Based on Vessel Availability. Invited. Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons 2022 Annual Conference. Bastrop, Texas, US.
- 2022. Lower Extremity Reconstruction...Without a Microscope!. Invited. Baylor College of Medicine. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2022. Lower Extremity Trauma and Reconstruction. Invited. Harris Health 19th Annual Circle of Survival Trauma Conference. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2022. Free fibula and ALT flaps for Mandible Reconstruction After High Energy Ballistic Trauma. Invited. International Microsurgery Monthly Meeting. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2022. That's a Big Hole ... Large Wounds & Flap Coverage. Invited. Baylor College of Medicine. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2022. Contemporary Surgical Management of neuromas and Neuropathic Pain. Invited. Baylor College of Medicine. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2021. The Ethics, Professionalism, and Policy Program (EP3): Implicit Bias. Invited. Plastic Surgery Grand Rounds. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2021. The Evolution of Lymphedema Surgery: Is Super Microsurgery the Cure?. Grand Rounds. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2021. Lower Extremity Trauma and Reconstruction. Invited. Trauma Grand Rounds. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2021. Plastic Surgery After Massive Weight Loss. Invited. Bariatric Surgery Support Group. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2021. Lymphedema Surgery. Invited. Plastic Surgery Grand Rounds. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2019. Transgender Surgery: Top Surgery. Invited. Grand Rounds. New York, NY, US.
- 2017. Phalangeal and Thumb Fractures. Invited. Grand Rounds. New York, NY, US.
- 2017. Breast Reduction. Invited. Grand Rounds. New York, NY, US.
- 2017. Flexor Tendon Injuries. Invited. Grand Rounds. New York, NY, US.
- 2016. Vascular Anomalies. Invited. Grand Rounds. New York, NY, US.
Regional Presentations
- 2024. My Journey to Becoming a Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon. Invited. Alpha Epsilon Delta Premedical Honors Society. Houston, TX, US.
- 2022. Recurrence of Symptomatic Hiatal Hernia Following Abdominoplasty: A Case Report. Conference. Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons Annual Conference. Bastrop, TX, US.
- 2022. Nasal Reconstruction with Helical Rim Flap: Adapting the Operative Approach Based on Vessel Availability. Conference. Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons 2022 Annual Conference. Bastrop, TX, US.
National Presentations
- 2025. Challenging reconstructions after Breast Conserving Therapy. American Society of Plastic Surgery Spring Meeting. Houston, TX, US.
- 2024. Oncoplastic Reconstruction for Partial Breast Defects. Invited. Pushing the Boundaries in Breast Conservation: New Frontiers in Oncoplasty. San Diego, CA, US.
- 2023. Flaps for Chest Wall Reconstruction. Invited. State of the Art in Chest Wall Reconstruction. Boston, MA, US.
- 2023. Forehead and Scalp Reconstruction. Invited. State of the Art Mohs Reconstruction from the Puzzle Masters. Austin, TX, US.
- 2023. Lower Extremity Flap Monitoring. Invited. Advanced Practice Providers Symposium. Miami, FL, US.
- 2022. Lower Extremity Reconstruction...Without a Microscope!. Invited. State of the Art Lower Extremity Reconstruction. Boston, MA, US.
- 2022. The CHEST Trial: ConMed HelixAR ElectroSurgical Generator with Argon Beam Coagulation Technology. Invited. The 23rd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Breast Surgeons. Las Vegas, NV, US.
- 2021. Lower Extremity Reconstruction...Without a Microscope!. Invited. Reconstructive Track, Pedicled Perforator Flaps, Propeller Flaps, and Keystone Flaps and don't bring a Microscope!. Atlanta, GA, US.
- 2017. Cellular mechanisms of Lymphatic Dysfunction in Obesity. Invited. Plastic Surgery Research Council. Durham, NC, US.
- 2016. Mechanisms of Obesity-Related Lymphatic Dysfunction. Conference. Plastic Surgery Research Council. New York, NY, US.
International Presentations
- 2024. Lower Extremity Flap Monitoring. Invited. Advanced Practice Providers Symposium. Nassau, BS.
- 2022. Free Fibula and ALT Flaps for mandible Reconstruction After High Energy Ballistic Trauma. Invited. International Microsurgery Monthly Meeting, US.
- 2021. Microvascular Reconstruction of the Mangled Hand. Invited. International Microsurgical Innovations. St. Louis, US.
Formal Peers
- 2025. Becoming a Microsurgeon. New York, NY, US.
- 2025. An MD Anderson Approach to Post-Mastectomy Reconstruction and Radiation. Houston, TX, US.
- 2022. Lower Extremity Reconstruction...Without a Microscope!. Visiting. Houston, TX, US.
- 2022. Lower Extremity Trauma and Reconstruction. Visiting. Houston, TX, US.
- 2022. Free fibula and ALT flaps for Mandible Reconstruction After High Energy Ballistic Trauma. Visiting. Houston, TX, US.
- 2022. That's a Big Hole...Large Wounds & Flap Coverage. Visiting. Houston, TX, US.
- 2022. Contemporary Surgical management of Neuromas and Neuropathic Pain. Visiting. Houston, TX, US.
- 2021. The Ethics, Professionalism, and Policy Program (EP3): Implicit Bias. Visiting. Houston, TX, US.
- 2021. Microvascular Reconstruction of the Mangled Hand. Visiting. Frankfurt, Germany, US.
- 2021. Microvascular Reconstruction of the Mangled Hand. Visiting. St. Louis, MO, US.
- 2021. The Evolution of Lymphedema Surgery: Is Super Microsurgery the Cure?. Visiting. Lima, Peru, PE.
- 2021. Lower Extremity Reconstruction...Without a Microscope!. Visiting. Atlanta, GA, US.
- 2021. The Evolution of Lymphedema Surgery: Is Super Microsurgery the Cure?. Visiting. Houston, TX, US.
- 2021. Lower Extremity Trauma and Reconstruction. Visiting. Houston, TX, US.
- 2021. Plastic Surgery After Massive Weight Loss. Visiting. Houston, TX, US.
- 2021. Lymphedema Surgery. Visiting. Houston, TX, US.
- 2019. Transgender Surgery: Top Surgery. Visiting. Houston, TX, US.
- 2017. Phalangeal and Thumb Fractures. Visiting. Houston, TX, US.
- 2017. Breast Reconstruction. Visiting. Houston, TX, US.
- 2017. Cellular mechanisms of lymphatic dysfunction in obesity. Visiting. Durham, NC, US.
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Song, Lee, Yu. Transoral Robotic Surgery (TORS) in Head and Neck Reconstruction. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2025. e-Pub 2025.
- Kiefer, J, Paidisetty, P, Elmorsi, R, Nguyen, CH, Yu, JZ, Hunt, KK, Lillemoe, HA, Mericli, AF, Olenczak, JB. Contemporary Trends in Reconstruction for Patients With Sarcoma of the Breast. Journal of surgical oncology 131(6):1013-1023, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 39665744.
- Skochdopole, Yu, Holder-Haynes, Yu. Hiatal Hernia Recurrence Following Abdominoplasty: A Proposed Algorithm for Screening and Management. Obesity Surgery, 2025. e-Pub 2025.
- King, BW, McCarter, JH, Burns, HR, Soleimani, S, Maricevich, MA, Yu, JZ. Robotics in Implant-Based and Autologous Breast Reconstruction. Seminars in Plastic Surgery 37(3):168-175, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38444960.
- Yim, NH, McCarter, JH, Haykal, T, Aral, AM, Yu, JZ, Reece, EM, Winocour, SJ. Robotic Surgery and Hospital Reimbursement. Seminars in Plastic Surgery 37(3):223-228, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38444958.
- Burns, HR, McCarter, JH, King, BW, Yu, JZ, Hwang, RF. Robotic-Assisted Nipple Sparing Mastectomy. Seminars in Plastic Surgery 37(3):176-183, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38444956.
- Burns, HR, McLennan, A, Xue, EY, Yu, JZ, Selber, JC. Robotics in Microsurgery and Supermicrosurgery. Seminars in Plastic Surgery 37(3):206-216, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38444959.
- Burns, HR, McLennan, A, Xue, EY, Yu, JZ, Selber, JC. Robotics in Microsurgery and Supermicrosurgery. Seminars in Plastic Surgery 37(3):206-216, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38444959.
- Skochdopole A, Bay C Grome L, Vorstenbosch J, Yu JZ, Winocour S, Reece E. Current Surgical Outcomes of Nasal Tip Grafts in Rhinoplasty: A Systematic Review. Plast Reconstr Surg 152(4):PRS-D-21-02004R1, 2023. PMID: 36723630.
- Burns HR, McLennan A, Xue EY, Yu JZ, Selber JC. Robotics in Microsurgery and Supermicrosurgery. Seminars in Plastic Surgery(37):206-216, 2023. e-Pub 2023.
- Yu JZ, Selber JC. New and Updated Applications for Robotic Surgery in Plastic Surgery. Seminars in Plastic Surgery 37(156), 2023. e-Pub 2023.
- King BW, McCarter JH, Burns HR, Soleimani S, Maricevich MA, Yu JZ. Robotics in Implant-Based and Autologous Breast Reconstruction. Seminars in Plastic Surgery(37):168-175, 2023. e-Pub 2023.
- Yim NH, McCarter J, Haykal T, Aral AM, Yu JZ, Reece E, Winocour S. Robotic Surgery and Hospital Reimbursement. Seminars in Plastic Surgery(37):223-228, 2023. e-Pub 2023.
- Burns HR, McCarter JH, King BW, Yu JZ, Hwang RF. Robotic-Assisted Nipple Sparing Mastectomy. Seminars in Plastic Surgery(37):176-183, 2023. e-Pub 2023.
- Asaad M, Yu JZ, Tran J, Liu J, O'Grady B, Butler CE, Clemens MW, Largo RD, Mericli A, Schaverien M, Shuck J, Mitchell MP, Selber JC. Surgical and Patient-Reported Outcomes of 694 Two-Stage Prepectoral vs. Subpectoral Breast Reconstructions. Plast Reconstr Surg 10(4S):48-49, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 36877743.
- Bay C, Chizmar Z, Reece EM, Yu JZ, Winocour J, Vorstenbosch J, Winocour S. Comparison of Skin Substitutes for Acute and Chronic Wound Management. Seminars in Plastic Surgery 35(3):171-180, 2021. e-Pub 2021.
- Conlon C, Pupa L, Reece EM, Chu CK, Yu JZ, Vorstenbosch J, Winocour S. When Benign Becomes Cancer: Malignant Degeneration of Chronic Inflammation. Seminars in Plastic Surgery 35(3):159-163, 2021. e-Pub 2021.
- Frey JD, Yu JZ, Poudrier G, Saia WV, Wilson SC, Hazen H. Reply-Modified Nipple flap with free Areolar Graft for Component Nipple-Areola Complex Construction: Outcomes with A Novel Technique for Chest Wall Reconstruction in Transgender Men. Plast Reconstr Surg 143(6):1310e-1311e, 2019. e-Pub 2019.
- Frey JD, Yu JZ, Poudrier G, Saia WV, Wilson SC, Hazen H. Modified Nipple Flap with Free Areolar Graft for Component Nipple-Areola Complex Construction: Outcomes with A Novel Technique for Chest Wall Reconstruction in Transgender Men. Plast Reconstr Surg 142(2):331-336, 2018. e-Pub 2018.
- Garcia Nores G, Ly C, Cuzzone D, Kataru R, Hespe G, Torrisi J, Huang JJ, Gardenier J, Savetsky IL, Nitti M, Yu JZ, Rehal S, Mehrara B. CD4 T cels are activated in regional lymph nodes and migrate to skin to initiate lymphedema. Nature Communications 9(1):1970, 2018. e-Pub 2018.
- Hespe GE, Kataru RP, Savetsky IL, Garcia Nores GD, Torrisi JS, Nitti MD, Gardenier JC, Zhou J, Yu JZ, Jones LW, Mehrara BJ. Exercise training improves obesity-related lymphatic dysfunction. The Journal of Physiology 597:4267-4282, 2016. e-Pub 2016.
- Rose AE, Satagopan JM, Odo C, Zhou Q, Xu R, Olshen AB, Yu JZ, Dash A, Jean-Gilles J, Reuter V, Gerald WL, Lee P, Osman I. Copy number and gene expression differences between African American and Caucasian American prostate cancer. J Transl Med 8(70), 2010. e-Pub 2010.
- Yu JZ. Can cranberry juice prevent recurrent urinary tract infections?. Clinical Correlations: the NYU Langone Internal Medicine Blog, 2009. e-Pub 2009.
- Yu JZ, Warycha MA, Darvishian F, Yee H, Kamini, Berman RS, Shapiro RL, Liebes LF, Pavlick, Polsky D, Brooks PC, Osman I. Assessing the clinical utility of measuring IGFBPs in tissues and sera of melanoma patients. J Transl Med 6(70), 2008. e-Pub 2008.
- DeRenzis S, Yu JZ, Zinzen R, Wieschaus E. Dorsal-ventral pattern of Delta trafficking is established by a Snail-Tom-Neuralized pathway. Developmental Cell 10:257, 2006. e-Pub 2006.
Review Articles
- Conlon, C, Pupa, L, Reece, EM, Chu, K, Yu, JZ, Vorstenbosch, J, Winocour, SJ, Winocour, SJ. When Benign Becomes Cancer. Seminars in Plastic Surgery 35(3):159-163, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34526863.
- Bay, C, Chizmar, Z, Reece, EM, Yu, JZ, Winocour, J, Vorstenbosch, J, Winocour, SJ. Comparison of Skin Substitutes for Acute and Chronic Wound Management. Seminars in Plastic Surgery 35(3):171-180, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34526865.
Other Articles
- Lee Z-H, Yu, Chang Expanding the Armamentarium of Donor Sites in Microvascular head and Neck Reconstruction. Journal of Clinical Medicine 13(5):1311, 2024.
Editorials
- Yu, JZ, Selber, JC. Applications for Robotic Surgery within Lymphedema, Pelvic Recon, and Breast. Seminars in Plastic Surgery 37(3):156, 2024. PMID: 38444957.
Abstracts
- Bayley EM, Bonefas E, Montalvan J, Marin I, Javaid H, Healy L, Menegaz B, Izaddoost SA, Winocour S, Maricevich M, Yu J, Reece E, Thompson A, Carer SA. The CHEST Trial: ConMed HelixAR ElectroSurgical Generator with Argon Beam Coagulation Technology. Amer Soc of Breast Surg Annual Meeting, 2022. e-Pub 2022.
- Jz Y, Jacobson AS, Levine JP. Utilizing Computerized Sugical Planning for Maxillary and Mandibular Reconstruction with Vascularized Scapular Free Flap. Amer Soc of Reconstru Microsurgery Annual Meeting, 2019. e-Pub 2019.
- Cohen LE, Yu JZ, Lee E, Stranix JT, Levine JP, Jacobson AS. A Salvage Algorithm for Finding Recipient Vessels in the Multiply Operated, Vessel Depleted Neck. Amer Soc of Reconstru Microsurgery Annual Meeting, 2018. e-Pub 2018.
- Frey JD, Yu JZ, Poudrier G, Saia WV, Wilson SC, Hazen H. Modified Nipple Flap with Free Areolar Graft for Component Nipple-Areola Complex Construction in Female-to-Male Transgender Chest Wall Reconstruction. Amer Soc of Reconstru Microsurgery Annual Meeting, 2018. e-Pub 2018.
- Cohen LE, Yu JZ, Thanik VD, Saadeh PB, Jacobson AS, Levine JP. Novel Applications of the medial sural Artery Perforator Free Flap for Reconstruction of Complex Three-Dimensional head and Neck Defects. Amer Soc of Reconstru Microsurgery Annual Meeting, 2018. e-Pub 2018.
- Yu JZ, Stranix JB, Atiyeh K, Levine JP, Jacobson AS. A salvage algorithm for finding recipient vessels in the multiply operated, vessel depleted neck. Amer Head and Neck Soc Annual Meeting, 2017. e-Pub 2017.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified March 12, 2026