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.

Michigan State University, Colleges of Human and Osteopathic Medicine

Department of Radiology, Division of Human Anatomy

bauerfre@msu.edu

Class of 2026

Dissertation: "What's the Point? Exploring the Purpose of Undergraduate Anatomy Education"

Freddie Bauer, PhD is an assistant professor of anatomy at Michigan State University's Colleges of Human and Osteopathic Medicine. He happily teaches anatomy, histology, and embryology, to medical and undergraduate students. Dr. Bauer's research focuses on the purpose of higher education, specifically anatomy education, and how we can prepare students for multiple careers and life challenges by developing widely applicable skillsets and knowledge. He is also a nerd for education research methods, publishing works on mixed methods and Q methodology. 

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@iu.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." 

Ohio University - Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Cleveland

micegood@ohio.edu

Class of 2024

Dissertation: "An Investigation Into Academic Outcomes And Experiences of Undergraduate Students With Learning Disabilities And/Or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder In Anatomy, And Other Large, Introductory STEM Courses"

Michael Goodwin, PhD, is an assistant professor of instruction based at the Cleveland Campus of Ohio University's Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine (HCOM). Dr. Goodwin primarily teaches gross anatomy, histology, embryology, and neuroanatomy to first and second year medical students, and is also heavily involved in the design and implementation of anatomy activities used for outreach programs targeting local high school and undergraduate students in the Cleveland area. Additionally, he collaborates with anatomy faculty at HCOM to serve as a mentor to medical students who are selected to be involved in the medical morphology honors program, which offers second year medical students an opportunity to strengthen their anatomical knowledge and skills through dissection and teaching to first year medical students.

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.

Bethany University 

loderdm@bethanylb.edu

Class of 2022

Dissertation: "Examining the Relationship Between Medical Licensing Examinations and Undergraduate Medical Education: A Multiperspectival Qualitative Study Exploring the Aftermath of the USMLE Step 1 Score Change"

Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine

anichols@acom.edu

Class of 2026

Dissertation: "Deconstructing Formative assessment: A Historigraphical Analysis and Predictive Modeling Approach to Student Success in Undergraduate Human Anatomy"

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. 

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.