Meet the Graduate Students

Upon arrival in Gainesville, I realized that this opportunity was a game-changer! I had been teaching Human A & P at community colleges which focused more on physiology and utilized typical plastic models, individual organs, and 2D imaging. Seeing the actual structures in the medical anatomy lab is teaching me the intricate relationships among the different body systems and clarifying even more the functional inter-relatedness of the body organization.

The ASE program is also about educational research. I am seeing first-hand the cutting edge of educational technology development and research in the College of Education, such as Artificial Intelligence, Eye-tracking, Virtual Reality, and Gamification.
I hope that I don’t die before I get to teach anatomy again!

Continuing my learning and growing in the anatomical sciences was my goal when applying for the program. I have always enjoyed learning about the human body, so why not share my love of anatomy with others in the form of teaching. After teaching at community college for a little while, I understood that there was still more for me to learn. So here I am in the ASE program at UF!

The ASE program has been better than I could have ever imagined. Delving into the intricacies of the human body and exploring the vast array of educational research has been quite an adventure. Also, being able to learn and shadow some of the best professors in the field is unparalleled. It has been a blessing to not only learn from scholars in the College of Medicine but also from those in the College of Education. I am excited for what the future holds!

Bradley R. Collins, M.D. is a doctoral student and graduate assistant in the University of Florida College of Medicine Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology. He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 2015 and a doctor of medicine degree in 2019, both from University of Florida. After graduating from medical school, Dr. Collins decided to pursue a career in anatomical sciences education with the goal of helping medical students, dental students, and physician assistant students to discover the anatomical, clinical, and humanistic basis of medicine. He also aspires to advance the field of scholarship about teaching and learning in the health professions. Dr. Collins is a member of the American Association for Anatomy.

My interest in the anatomical sciences began at a young age when I found my first true passion in life: dance! Growing up as a dancer gave me a strong appreciation for the human body. What started as a hobby led to a genuine interest in learning more about the intricacies of human anatomy. After obtaining my Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology, I knew I wanted to use my love for anatomy to help others. This led me to pursue my Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy, a profession designed to improve a person’s quality of life through everyday occupations. It was during my time in OT school that I realized how much I loved learning and teaching anatomy in the classroom setting. So here I am in the ASE PhD program at UF!

This program has already opened my eyes to a whole new world of anatomy, cadaveric dissection, and educational research. The resources at UF have allowed me to deepen my learning and appreciation of the human body in ways I didn’t know were possible. In the future, I hope to use the knowledge I gain in this program to become a qualified educator in the anatomical sciences. I aspire to become a graduate level anatomy instructor to share my love for anatomy with others and help students discover their fullest learning potential in the classroom. I feel extremely lucky to be part of this unique program and am eager to discover what the future holds!

My passion for anatomy stemmed from my clinical work as a physician assistant in both family and emergency medicine. Throughout my Air Force career, I have had the opportunity to teach clinical medicine and undergraduate anatomy, which expanded my appreciation for different learning styles and best practices as an instructor. The ASE Program is a natural fit for me to not only develop a deeper understanding of clinical anatomy and other related subjects, but to also embark on my own research education interests. I am seeing first-hand how the unique collaboration between UF’s College of Medicine and College of Education will help me achieve my goals!

I earned my bachelor’s degrees in neuroscience and philosophy in 2022 at Indiana University Purdue University – Indianapolis. I earned my master of science in Clinical Anatomy and Physiology in 2023 from the Indiana University School of Medicine and have taught A&P at Ivy Tech Community College in Indiana during the 2023-2024 year. My current research interests include sense of community in anatomy education and educational applications of technology. Aside from academia I also enjoy powerlifting, board games, 3D printing, and caring for my cat, Blair.

My interest in anatomy education began when I took my first anatomy course in the spring of 2022 and has since led me to where I am now. As I grew more interested in the intersection of educational research and anatomy education, I began scoping out programs and found the ASE PhD program here in Gainesville. Since starting, I have been able to fully immerse myself in the field and have thoroughly enjoyed my experience. 

My fascination with the human body began when I took an anatomy course during my undergrad at Weber State University in Utah, leading me to teach gross anatomy as a cadaver lab instructor for three and a half years. My desire to teach was largely influenced by the anatomy professor, Dr. Chung, who had a talent for teaching a notoriously difficult topic through the clever use of analogies, humor, and practical application. I hope to become half as skilled as he was.

At UF, I have been grateful for the abundance of support from faculty and peers, which has fostered growth and dedication. I chose the ASE program at UF for its integration of education and anatomy departments, creating an ideal environment to improve my teaching ability and contribute to the advancement of medical education. The program’s culture inspires excellence and motivates me to make a meaningful impact in the field.