Research Interests:

In the late 1990s, I began working with two other members of the Department of Neurosciences, Mark Hankin and Dennis Morse, in collaboration with a medical illustrator Roy Schneider and the Center for Creative Instruction (CCI) to develop educational software entitled Anatomy Revealed. The premise for this software was to provide a digital interface for a “melt away” approach to human dissection. Digital photography of carefully orchestrated dissections in the cadaver lab were used to captured images that were enhanced and combined to create a permanent record that students can review repeatedly. Several years of work resulted in an award-winning multidisciplinary educational software product. Six Anatomy Revealed modules (presented on four CD-ROMs) have been produced for use in our medical school curriculum. These modules explore in detail the anatomy of the head and contain numerous related clinical correlations. In 2003, McGraw-Hill Publishing approached the authors of Anatomy Revealed about creating a version of the software for undergraduate students to use. Over the course of the several years, the authors have worked create a widely successful CD which covers all body systems. The authors and publishers expect the organ systems-based APR to set a new standard for computer-based learning in the field. Teaching Interest: For the last ten years I have played a very active role in the redesign and implementation of multiple changes in the preclinical curriculum in the school of medicine. I currently serve the institution as Associate Dean for the Preclinical Curriculum. I also serve as the block director for a first year curricular block entitled, “Human Structure and Development”. This is a 15-week core course currently team taught for approximately 175 medical students yearly. I also provide lectures in the Neuroscience block for medical students and am a primary instructor in the Gross Anatomy course for Physicians Assistants (College of Allied Health). I serve as the Program Director for students in the Masters of Science in Biomedical Sciences in Medical Science Program. The program is designed to improve the foundational knowledge of students who wish to gain admission into a medical school. As Program Director I am responsible for the admissions process and organization of the one year curriculum. The 40 students in the program enroll in 40 didactic credits. I also coordinate the MEDStart program which is 2-week experience offered during the summer for students who have gained early admission to the College of Medicine.