Purpose

In response to the growing national and international demand for anatomy education, research, and clinical training, the Anatomy Learning Institute (ALI) at Point Loma Nazarene University was established to prepare graduates through invaluable, hands-on clinical experience to become quality healthcare and life sciences professionals.

The ALI is dedicated to using evidence-based practices to promote excellence in the scholarships of teaching, discovery, application, and integration of the anatomical sciences.

Scholarship of Teaching

The Anatomy learning Institute aims to provide different opportunities to meet the needs of our learners, including undergraduate and graduate courses in the four core anatomical sciences: gross anatomy, histology, neuroanatomy, and embryology.

Knowing that our students come with different strengths and challenges, the ALI utilizes universal design as an educational framework to minimize barriers, build on skills, and maximize learning. We offer in-person, online and hybrid learning opportunities to undergraduate, graduate learners along with other continuing education opportunities.

Scholarship of Discovery

The Anatomy Learning Institute participates in a diverse range of scholarship. Below is a list of areas that are being investigated by faculty at the Institute.

• Clinical Application of Anatomy: Utilizing anatomical knowledge to improve patient care has been documented in the literature. We are interested in investing the diverse application of anatomy in medicine, dentistry, physical and occupational therapy, athletic training, etc.
• Teaching and Learning in Anatomy: Anatomy is the cornerstone of all health science disciplines, therefore it is crucial to investigate ways to improve the learn and teaching process. We are interested in investigating different ways to improve student learning and experience.
• Bioethics: Working with body donors is a privilege which everyone should treat with utmost respect. This opportunity provides learners and educators with a chance to address important topics such as respect, dignity, death and dying, and self-care. We are interested in investigating the impact.
• Body Donor Research: Working with body donors is considered to be a superior way to learn anatomy and improve patient care. We are interested in maximizing the generous gift made by our body donors to improve education, research and training.

Scholarship of Application & Integration

The ALI aims to partner with members of the local community to implement many initiatives such as: 

• High Schools Outreach program: the anatomy labs will be open to encourage students to engage with science and learn about the wonderfully created human body.
• Medical Equipment Companies: Providing the space to develop and improve medical equipment will help improve patient care which is a critical element of the ALI’s mission. 

Faculty

Founding Director - Joy Balta, Ph.D.

Nicole Cosby, Ph.D.
University of Virginia

Yoojin Choi, Ph.D.
Harvard University

Rebecca Flietstra, Ph.D.
The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California

Brandon Sawyer, Ph.D.
Arizona State University