Bio

Bridging what’s inside —
foundational sciences of the human body

with what’s outside —
evolving technologies, 
generations, 
and societal forces 

to make health professions education rigorous, current, and responsive to today’s students.

I am an Associate Professor of Histology and Anatomy at an allopathic medical school in the United States. I teach clinical anatomy and histology to medical students in the pre-clinical phase of their curriculum. From a young age, my curiosity about what’s hidden inside our bodies drew me to the anatomical sciences. As a researcher, I am interested in how what’s on the outside – technology, generations, and society – profoundly shape medical science education. My reserach focuses on the impact of communication and information technologies, Gen Z, and current society, on expectations for teaching and learning, and student outcomes. 

I have a longstanding interest in curricular matters, specifically the programmatic decisions of ‘who, what, when, where, why, and how’ we teach. Curricular work is at the heart of my institutional service; I have served as former Chair of both our Curriculum Committee and Curriculum Evaluation Subcommittee for the medical school. I am also a long-time member of our M1M2 Curriculum Subcommittee and a founding member of an Assessment Subcommittee.

I have a strong interest in developing medical science educators and am actively involved in my professional organizations. As a member of the International Association for Medical Science Educators, I currently serve as the Chair of the Professional Development Committee and previously chaired the Student Professional Development Committee. I have also served the American Association for Anatomy as a former member of the Committee for Early Career Anatomists and the Professional Development Committee. My speaking engagements include topics such as supporting Gen Z learners and developing qualitative research skills.

Originally from Ontario, I earned my Bachelor of Science Honors in Life Sciences and Master of Science in Anatomical Sciences from Queen’s University, and my doctoral degree in Clinical Anatomy from The University of Western Ontario. My doctoral thesis involved the design, development, and evaluation of the first fully online undergraduate anatomy course with a laboratory…prior to COVID-19! Since then, my goal has been to bridge what is inside—the foundational sciences of the human body—with what is outside: evolving technologies, new generations, and societal forces, to make health professions education rigorous, current, and responsive to today’s students.