Alumni

Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham
and University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine

jbbarger@uab.edu

Class of 2016

Dissertation: "Visual Literacy in Anatomy"

J Bradley Barger, PhD, is an assistant professor of anatomy at University of Alabama School of Medicine, where he teaches anatomical sciences (including histology and embryology) to a wide variety of student populations. Dr. Barger’s research focuses on improving education in anatomy, specifically on the visual interpretation and mental rotation of anatomical images. 3D printing is a fascinating new part of this research and has led to numerous collaborations with the engineering school, department of rheumatology, and the school of dentistry. Recent work includes; creating and patenting (pending) 3D-printed medical devices and procedure trainers, and acting as program director for the new MS in anatomical sciences.

Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Anatomy
University of Nebraska Medical Center

keely.cassidy@unmc.edu

Class of 2016

Dissertation: "Embryology in Medical Education: A Mixed Methods Study and Phenomenology of Faculty and First Year Medical Students."

Keely Cassidy, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Medicine. Her primary focus in the department is teaching gross anatomy and embryology to medical, physician assistant, physical therapy, occupational therapy, genetic counseling, and graduate students. Dr. Cassidy is the director for the College of Medicine Genitourinary, Reproductive, and Developmental block, serves as the embryology component leader, and is the departmental Director for Allied Health Anatomy Education. The graduate advanced dissection course that she created in 2017 now forms the basis for the Masters of Medical Anatomy program's comprehensive exam. Dr. Cassidy's secondary focus is improving the scholarship of anatomical teaching and learning through evidence-based, mixed methods research. Her current research involves faculty and student experiences and perceptions of embryology content in the basic science curriculum; the effects of advanced anatomical dissections and demonstrations on student learning outcomes and confidence; and UNMC's surface anatomy curriculum.

Indiana University School of Medicine-Bloomington 

dunhams@indiana.edu

Class of 2018

Dissertation: "Impacts on Student Learning and Gross Anatomy Experience in Medical Education with the Implementation of Reciprocal Peer Teaching and Self-Directed Learning." 

University of California, San Francisco

barbie.klein@ucsf.edu

Class of 2018

Dissertation: "Simulation in Medical Education: A Case Study Evaluating the Efficacy of High-Fidelity Patient Simulation"

Barbie Klein, PhD, is an assistant professor with joint appointments in the Department of Anatomy in the School of Medicine and the Department of Cell and Tissue Biology in the School of Dentistry at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Klein teaches gross anatomy, embryology, histology, and neuroscience to health professional students and graduate-level learners. Her research explores curriculum development, interprofessional education, and using technology to improve anatomy instruction.

Southern Utah Campus

areynolds@rvu.edu

Class of 2020

Dissertation: "Pre-Nursing Student Progression  Towards Admissions to Nursing School at Indiana University Bloomington: A Mixed-Methods Study Exploring Anatomy Coursework as a Prerequisite for Admission"

Dr. Amberly Reynolds was nominated by the SHSU Osteopathic Students for the SOMA Foundation Northup Education of the Year Award. She is one of three national finalists for the award. 
Click here to see a video about Amberly

University of Mississippi Medical Center

aschaefer2@umc.edu

Class of 2013

Dissertation: "Remediation Trends in an Undergraduate Anatomy Course and Assessment of an Anatomy Supplemental Study Skills Course"

I serve as the assistant director of the Clinical Anatomy PhD program, and as such, I am able to work with and mentor graduate students as they progress through the program. I also currently teach histology to medical and dental students, as well as neuroscience to medical students. My own research has focused on training of anatomy educators, students’ learning strategies, and metacognition, and I’m interested in beginning to utilize social network analysis to better understand how peer relationships influence student learning and academic performance, as well as the impact of peer relationships among faculty on professional activities (project in the works!). When not at work I enjoy time with my husband and our son, often with adventures in our local parks, trails and playgrounds.

Touro University-California 

tsmith37@touro.edu

Class of 2020

Dissertation: "Neural Basis of Anatomical Knowledge in Undergraduate Anatomy Students and Experts Using fMRI."

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center

mtayl155@uthsc.edu

Class of 2019

Dissertation: "The Impact of Medical Education Reform on the Teaching and Learning of the Anatomical Sciences"

Melissa Taylor, PhD, is an assistant professor of anatomy at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, where she teaches gross anatomy and histology to medical, dental, and physician assistant students. Dr. Taylor’s research focus is in the field of anatomy education and pedagogy, specifically related to the best teaching practices in the anatomical courses for health professional students. Additionally, she conducts research in curricula of health professional programs, including how the anatomical sciences are organized into medical curricula.