Anatomical Sciences

Jenna Dittmar

ebailey — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 17:37:40 +0000

Jenna Dittmar ebailey Tue, 10/03/2023 - 13:37

Jenna Dittmar, PhD

Assistant Professor for Anatomical Sciences

Dr Jenna Dittmar is a Biological Anthropologist who specializes in paleopathology (the study of ancient diseases). She earned a BSc from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2008), a MSc in Human Osteology and Palaeopathology from the University of Bradford (2011) and a PhD in Biological Anthropology from the University of Cambridge (2016).

Her MSc and PhD research examined the history of anatomical training in Britain by analyzing the human skeletal remains of individuals that were dissected during the 17th-19th centuries in the United Kingdom.

From 2016-2020 she worked a Research Associate on the Wellcome Trust funded project entitled, ‘After the Plague: Heath and History in Medieval Cambridge’ at the University of Cambridge. This multidisciplinary project examined the historical and biological effects of the catastrophic plague epidemic, known as the Black Death. Archaeological, historical, isotopic and genetic (aDNA) data were combined to examine the previously unstudied consequences of this major pandemic by revealing how the plague affected human health and the genetic constitution of Europe.

From 2021-2023, Jenna was a Research Fellow in Osteoarchaeology at the University of Aberdeen. Working with Professor Marc Oxenham, she used demographic modeling to explore how northern communities in Scotland and Ireland biologically adapted to significant changes in climate, environment, technology, and economy from the Neolithic to the medieval period.

PhD, University of Cambridge
MSc, University of Bradford
BSc, University of Wisconsin-Madison

As a specialist in human osteology and paleopathology, Jenna utilises a multidisciplinary approach to explore questions about the evolutionary history and movement of diseases, and how health was impacted by environmental and social conditions.

Her current work is focused on exploring how the health and well-being of medieval and early modern populations from Scotland and Ireland were impacted by changes in climate, environment, and the political landscape.

She is also a Co-PI of a project entitled, ‘Health, Disease and Diet in the Chinese Bronze Age (2,300-1,700 BCE),’ which examines health and disease in Bronze Age China. In collaboration with the Gansu Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, this project seeks to understand the impact of social, technological, and environmental factors on human demography, health, and lifeways during the Bronze Age.

Her other research interests include:

The history of medicine
Hallux valgus
Microvasculature of the spinal and paraspinal regions
Latex injection techniques
Identifying and differentiating skeletal injuries caused by medieval weapons

Academia Profile
ResearchGate Profile

Office: 345

Department/Discipline: Anatomical Sciences

Campus: Louisiana

Phone: 318-342-7140

Email: jdittmar@ulm.vcom.edu

Activities

American Association of Biological Anthropologists
Paleopathology Association
British Association for Biological Anthropology and Osteoarchaeology
Society for American Archaeology
European Association for Archaeologists

Jasmine Belton

ebailey — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 18:10:03 +0000

Jasmine Belton ebailey Mon, 09/18/2023 - 14:10

Jasmine Belton, MLS (ASCP)

Anatomy Lab Supervisor

Office: 224

Department/Discipline: Anatomical Sciences

Campus: Louisiana

Email: jbelton01@ulm.vcom.edu

Elina Jones

ebailey — Fri, 04 Aug 2023 15:21:15 +0000

Elina Jones ebailey Fri, 08/04/2023 - 11:21

Elina Jones, MA

Anatomy Lab Director

Office: 338

Department/Discipline: Anatomical Sciences

Campus: Virginia

Phone: 540-231-8170

Email: ejones01@vcom.edu

Matthew Overturf

ebailey — Fri, 07 Jul 2023 13:55:08 +0000

Matthew Overturf ebailey Fri, 07/07/2023 - 09:55

Matthew Overturf, PhD

Assistant Professor for Anatomical Sciences

Education

Year	University	Degree
2016	University of Ontario Institute of Technology	Postdoctoral Fellow
2013	University of North Texas	PhD - Biology
2008	University of Louisiana Monroe	BS - Biology

Office: 332

Department/Discipline: Anatomical Sciences

Campus: Louisiana

Phone: 318-342-7187

Email: moverturf@ulm.vcom.edu

Activities

Member, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
Member, American Association for Anatomy

Uzochukwu Adabanya

ebailey — Fri, 07 Jul 2023 13:52:58 +0000

Uzochukwu Adabanya ebailey Fri, 07/07/2023 - 09:52

Uzochukwu Adabanya, MD, MPH, BSc

Associate Professor for Anatomical Sciences

A versatile and passionate medical educator, skilled physician-scientist, clinical skills expert, and professionally trained physician dedicated to providing sound and efficient learner-centered education to medical students.

Education

University	Degree
All Saints University	MD
Walden University	MPH
Clayton State University	Bachelor of Science, Biology; BSc.

Chronic conditions and how they relate to public health. The aim here is to understand the trends and patterns seen in patients suffering from these conditions, with the hope of discovering novel medical and non-medical (i.e., social) therapeutic solutions that can reduce the incidence and prevalence of these conditions, improve the lifestyle of patients living with these conditions, and provide hope to these patients that are particularly from historically marginalized, underprivileged, and impoverished populations.

The use of several learning strategies and instructional design in determining student outcomes.

The use of ultrasound in medical and anatomical education. Does it improve clinical reasoning and academic outcomes?

Office: 333

Department/Discipline: Anatomical Sciences

Campus: Louisiana

Email: uadabanya@ulm.vcom.edu

Activities

American Association for Anatomy
American Public Health Association
National Alliance for Mental Illness
American Medical Association
American College of Physicians
Nigerian Medical Association

Whitney Karriger

ebailey — Mon, 12 Sep 2022 13:34:52 +0000

Whitney Karriger ebailey Mon, 09/12/2022 - 09:34

Whitney Karriger, PhD

Assistant Professor for Biomedical Research and Affairs & Anatomy Lab Director

Whitney M. Karriger, PhD earned degrees in anthropology from the University of Michigan, Illinois State University, and Tulane University. Before joining VCOM in 2022, she taught anatomy at the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine for two years.

Education

Year	University	Degree
2020	Tulane University	Ph.D. in anthropology
2014	Tulane University	M.A. in anthropology
2012	Illinois State University	M.S. in anthropology
2009	University of Michigan	B.A. in anthropology

Dr. Karriger is trained as an anthropologist interested in paleoanthropology. Her research interests include dental microwear, human and comparative anatomy, human osteology, Neandertal morphology, craniofacial growth and development, and medical education.

Office: 235

Department/Disciplines: Biomedical Affairs and Research, Anatomical Sciences

Campus: Auburn

Phone: 334-442-4006

Email: wkarriger@auburn.vcom.edu

Fax: 334-442-4096

Mary Piscura

ebailey — Fri, 02 Sep 2022 13:27:27 +0000

Mary Piscura ebailey Fri, 09/02/2022 - 09:27

Mary Piscura, PhD

Assistant Professor for Anatomical Sciences

Dr. Mary Piscura, PhD, is a dedicated faculty member with a strong passion for teaching anatomy and advancing pain research. She attended The Ohio State University (Columbus, OH) in her home state for her bachelor’s in biology, where she identified her enthusiasm for anatomical education. She completed her PhD in anatomy from The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine (Hershey, PA), with part of her dissertation work taking place remotely at Marshall University (Huntington, WV). Dr. Piscura is interested in investigating the mechanisms underlying pain perception and exploring non-opioid alternatives for pain management, which she has explored in various preclinical mouse models. She is also a co-founder of a nationwide anatomy outreach initiative, the Anato-Bee, aiming to promote anatomical knowledge and awareness in the wider community. Through this initiative, she seeks to inspire young minds and foster a deeper appreciation for the wonders of the human body. Dr. Piscura's commitment to advancing pain research, teaching anatomy, and promoting anatomical literacy highlights her enthusiasm for enhancing both scientific knowledge and public understanding of the human body.

Education

Year	University	Degree
2022	The Pennsylvania State University	PhD
2018	The Ohio State University	BS

Dr. Piscura grew up and completed her education in areas of the United States most heavily devastated by the opioid epidemic, which sparked her passion for specialization in pain research with a particular focus on exploring nonopioid alternatives for pain management. By combining her expertise in preclinical pain models and anatomical insights, Dr. Piscura strives to contribute to the development of safer and more effective pain management strategies that can benefit patients worldwide.

Download CV

Office: 249

Department/Discipline: Anatomical Sciences

Campus: Auburn

Phone: 334-442-4022

Email: mpiscura@auburn.vcom.edu

Fax: 334-442-4096

Aaron Beger

ebailey — Thu, 21 Jul 2022 15:53:13 +0000

Aaron Beger ebailey Thu, 07/21/2022 - 11:53

Aaron Beger, PhD

Assistant Professor for Anatomical Sciences

Education

Year	University	Degree
2011	Michigan State University	BSc in Kinesiology
2021	Lincoln Memorial University	PhD in Anatomy

Office: 340 - VCOM Main Building

Department/Discipline: Anatomical Sciences

Campus: Virginia

Phone: 540-231-1178

Email: abeger@vt.vcom.edu

Activities

Member, American Association for Anatomy
Member, American Association of Clinical Anatomists
Member, Anatomical Society

Cary Pellizzeri

ebailey — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 14:42:56 +0000

Cary Pellizzeri ebailey Tue, 07/05/2022 - 10:42

Cary Pellizzeri, DO

Assistant Professor for Anatomical Sciences

Department/Discipline: Anatomical Sciences

Campus: Carolinas

Email: cpellizzeri01@carolinas.vcom.edu

William G Pearson

ebailey — Tue, 25 Jan 2022 21:02:44 +0000

William G Pearson ebailey Tue, 01/25/2022 - 16:02

William Pearson, PhD

Discipline Chair and Associate Professor for Anatomical Sciences

William G. Pearson, Jr., Ph.D., is the Discipline Chair and Associate Professor of Anatomy at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine at Auburn. He has been interfacing with medical students for over thirty-five years as a medical educator and mentor. He previously taught anatomy at Harvard Medical School, Boston University School of Medicine, and the Medical College of Georgia. In 2019-21 he was as a visiting scholar with the Harvard Human Flourishing Program.

Education

Year	University	Degree
2012	Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine	PhD in Anatomy and Neurobiology
1986	Microbiology with General Honors, University of Georgia	BS with General Honors in Microbiology

Dr. Pearson is an educational innovator and translational scientist. As an educator he has a special interest in repurposing medical educational systems for human flourishing. He is principal investigator on a collaborative educational innovation grant with multiple VCOM faculty members entitled, “A Flourishing Approach to Physician Formation”, funded by a KNN for Flourishing in Medicine Reimagination Award.

In addition, Dr. Pearson is a principal investigator and co-founder of the Functional Anatomy Research in Osteopathic Understanding and Treatment (FAROUT) Lab. He was awarded a VCOM REAP Grant to investigate the mechanisms behind trauma-informed autonomic recalibration treatment for dysfunctional myofascial pain.

Dr. Pearson's previous research, which was funded through an F31 grant with the NIDCD, involved developing a novel method for analyzing and visualizing the pharyngeal phase of human swallowing using video fluoroscopy and MRI. This method, known as the computational analysis of swallowing mechanics (CASM), has significant potential for improving our understanding of swallowing function and disorders.

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Office: 238

Department/Discipline: Anatomical Sciences

Campus: Auburn

Phone: 334-442-4023

Email: wpearson01@auburn.vcom.edu

Awards

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Auburn Campus, Researcher of the Year, 2023
Medical College of Georgia, Distinguished Faculty Award in Basic Science Teaching, 2017
Sushruta-Guha Award in Clinical Anatomy, American Association of Clinical Anatomists, Orlando, FL, July 2014
Third Place in Scientific Platform Presentation, Dysphagia Research Society, Seattle, WA, March 2013
Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award Fellowship (NIDCD), 2011-2012
Third Place in Scientific Platform Presentation, Dysphagia Research Society, San Deigo, CA, May 2010

Activities

American Association for Anatomy Dysphagia Research Society

Fax: 334-442-4096

Anatomical Sciences

Jenna Dittmar

Education

Research Interests

Activities

Jasmine Belton

Elina Jones

Matthew Overturf

Education

Activities

Uzochukwu Adabanya

Education

Research Interests

Activities

Whitney Karriger

Education

Research Interests

Mary Piscura

Education

Research Interests

Aaron Beger

Education

Activities

Cary Pellizzeri

William G Pearson

Education

Research Interests

Awards

Activities