Welcome Dr. Morgan
The Center for Equine Health is excited to welcome Dr. Jessica Morgan as our new Associate Director!
A proud Aggie, Dr. Morgan earned her bachelor's, PhD, and DVM degrees all from UC Davis. She specializes in equine sports medicine, cardiology, and rehabilitation and is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. She has been a valued contributor to CEH as a grant reviewer and a member of our scientific advisory board. Alongside her work at CEH, she is an associate professor in the Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, with her primary clinical appointment in Equine Field Service.
Dr. Morgan's research focuses on understanding equine performance limitations, especially as it pertains to the heart, bones, and overall fitness. Her laboratory studies how the horse’s body responds to physical activity, with the goal of helping horses stay healthy, strong, and active for as long as possible.
Her journey to becoming an equine veterinarian began in high school. One day at the barn, she helped a veterinarian treat a laceration on a horse’s leg. In that moment, she realized that a veterinary career offered a unique chance to combine her passion for horses and her love of science.
“My favorite thing about being an equine vet is the variety in my day and getting to make a difference in the lives of individual horses and owners,” Dr. Morgan says. “I am happiest when I get the opportunity to do science that directly impacts how we care for horses.”
Dr. Morgan also notes that equine veterinarians often face both mental and physical challenges. During difficult moments, she reconnects with her passion by taking time to simply appreciate the horses themselves. She emphasizes the importance of balance, encouraging future veterinarians to make space for rest and self-care to build long, fulfilling careers.
Dr. Morgan teaches veterinary students across many areas of equine medicine. Her advice for future veterinarians is to find the parts of the job that bring joy and use that to build a career.
“If you can come back to the parts of the job that inspire you”, said Morgan, “then even on hard days you can remind yourself why you are doing this job and why you chose it for yourself.”