Nia Buckner, MS

Nia Buckner is a rising fourth-year medical student and clinical research fellow with the Department of Plastic Surgery. For the 2023-2024 academic year, Nia is exploring disparities and clinical outcomes across subspecialities in plastic surgery while completing a Certificate in Clinic Research from the University of Pittsburgh Institute for Clinical Research Education’s highly competitive Clinical Scientist Training Program. Born in Pittsburgh, but raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, coming back to Pittsburgh has been a full circle moment. In 2019, Nia graduated summa cum laude from Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Later that year, she relocated to Pittsburgh to pursue a Master of Science in Biomedical Science from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. During her undergraduate studies, Nia explored biopsychosocial influences and modifiable risk factors contributing to the intergenerational progression of childhood obesity. As a graduate student, Nia spent the year with the Department of Endocrinology performing basic science research exploring metabolic activity of adipocytes. Throughout her time in Pittsburgh, Nia has been dedicated to mentoring, encouraging, and empowering youth of color to pursue their aspirations in medicine. In her free time, Nia enjoys cooking Southern cuisine, football season, all forms of dance, drawing, yoga, and trying new restaurants across the city.