Samuel Garza, Ph.D.

Prior to joining Morgan Lewis, Sam earned a Ph.D. in molecular pharmacology and toxicology at the University of Southern California in 2023. In his doctoral work, Sam studied the use of mitofusion promoters on the mitochondrial and steroidogenic function of testosterone producing cells. While completing his doctoral work, Sam earned an M.S. degree in regulatory sciences from USC, studying the scientific standards and methods that regulate the safety and efficacy of drug and medical products.

As an undergraduate and master’s graduate student at California State University, Los Angeles, Sam's research focused on the effects of spatiotemporal changes of wetlands on the genetics of ephemeral species in central California.

Sam has authored several peer-reviewed publications, including “Cell Biology and Regulation of Adult and Aging Leydig Cell Steroidogenesis” in Leydig Cells (2025); “In vitro and in vivo studies on the effect of a mitochondrial fusion promoter on Leydig cell integrity and function” in Frontiers in Toxicology (2024); “Cops5 in Peritubular Myoid Cells Influences Reproductive Development and Hormone Production” in Endocrinology (2023); “How is the synthesis of testosterone regulated?” in Andrology Society (2023); “Testosterone recovery therapy targeting dysfunctional Leydig cells” in Andrology (2022); “Mitochondrial dynamics, Leydig cell function, and age-related testosterone deficiency” in FASEB (2022); and “Impact of endocrine-disrupting chemicals on steroidogenesis and consequences on testicular function” in Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology (2021).