The use of 3D modeling technology in biomedical and healthcare education is exploding. This session will explore the modern anatomical tools that are revolutionizing the study of human anatomy, including immersive extended reality (XR), 3D printing, 3D surface scanning, and plastination.  Advantages and disadvantages of such tools in the medical classroom will be discussed using a 3D model of the human brain as an example.

Session Learning objectives:

• Describe the workflow to create a 3D model of a human brain including 3D surface scanning, texturing, animation and real-time rendering
• Explore modern uses and examples of 3D printing, plastination, and XR in anatomy education
• Discuss the learning advantages and disadvantages of 3D learning tools in the medical classroom

Speaker Information: 

Maureen Estévez Stabio, PhD, is an associate professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and the Executive Co-Director of the Modern Human Anatomy Program within the Department of Cell & Developmental Biology.  She directs the neuroscience curriculum for the CU School of Medicine with a focus to help medical students learn and visualize the 3D patient based on 2D slices.  She conducts research on MRI based tools for 3D visualization of the brain, including plastination, 3D printing, and extended reality.