Annika Dekraker
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Cristina Prall
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Division of Anatomical Sciences / Medicine
Program:
Authors: Annika DeKraker, Glenn Fox, Kathleen Alsup, Cristina Prall
Session: Session 2: 10:00 am – 10:50 am
Poster: 14
Abstract
BlueLink Anatomy is a project highly invested in accessibility and advancing the future of anatomical learning. This past year, BlueLink has created and implemented a supplemental resource to the gross anatomy lab experience. This resource, a virtual lab experience called XRLink, utilizes a variety of 3-dimensional and interactive assets for students to learn from when they cannot be in the dissection lab. This future-focused resource enables students to be able to understand exact anatomical positioning and structures on a donor while not being in a lab, allowing students to study anatomy at an advanced level for time beyond what they are given in the lab. Through taking 360 pictures of donors and plastinated specimens, creating 3-dimensional models of anatomical structures from sets of pictures, and creating learning modules to test understanding of content, BlueLink has been able to create a dynamic anatomical resource hub for students, from undergraduates to medical students. The modules closely follow the content medical students learn in the lab, and modules are broken down into their respective units into bite-size quizzes for students to test their knowledge. These resources were created through the usage of anatomical donors, which were obtained through the university of Michigan Anatomical Donations Program. Through this, a full year of high quality content that encapsulates the anatomical learning of medical students is available online for the students at UofM, and for anatomy students worldwide. This furthers the mission of BlueLink in being freely accessible for all who desire to learn.
