Research Experience
Upon graduating from NYU, Dr. Unger was matched into the most prestigious University of Texas Southwestern integrated plastic surgery residency. The UT Southwestern plastic surgery training program happens to be one of the most competitive and rigorous training centers in the world and is currently the No. 1-ranked training program in the nation by US News and World Report. While at UTSW, Dr. Unger lectured at multiple national meetings and published well over 20 peer-reviewed scientific papers and book chapters, with more than a dozen focused on his passion for rhinoplasty. He helped to describe many of the modern concepts in facial rejuvenation and was a part of the research teams that described and helped to popularize facial fat grafting.
Dr. Unger in his last year there, he was chosen by the faculty to be the administrative chief resident of the Department of Plastic Surgery. He also became the first resident ambassador to the No. 1-ranked plastic surgery research journal in the world: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Further, Dr. Unger served in national leadership as the sole resident member of the exclusive Board of Directors of the American Society of Plastic Surgery. He also competed in the National Plastic Surgery Quizbowl competition twice, and his team was named national champions both years, in 2012 and 2013. At the culmination of his training, he was awarded the “Excellence in Research” award for his exemplary achievements and contributions to the plastic surgery literature.
After completing his residency, Dr. Unger traveled to Europe for a fellowship in Paris, France. He worked with some of the European visionaries in plastic surgery in internationally recognized centers of excellence in France, Turkey, and Belgium, furthering his study of cutting-edge techniques in facial cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, as well as breast surgery.
Dr. Unger continues to publish cutting-edge research with a focus on rhinoplasty, facial aesthetics, and breast surgery. He has also been invited to write publications, as well as chair sessions and give presentations internationally on plastic surgery education and facial and breast aesthetic surgery. He has lectured on four continents!
He is an associate editor of the prestigious journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery—Global Open, as well as a section editor for Breast Surgery in the cutting-edge Aesthetic Surgery Journal —Open Forum. He is also a reviewer of peer-reviewed articles in the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Aesthetic Surgery Journal.