Member Spotlight
Shining a Spotlight on Dr. Matt Vilburn

Academy Member Since 2021
Associate Professor, Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Anatomy, College of Medicine
Bio
What do you do at UNMC?
My primary responsibility at UNMC is teaching gross anatomy and neuroanatomy to medical, graduate and allied health students. I also enjoy working with the High School Alliance (HSA) and Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP). Recently, I have been involved in working with the iEXCEL team to create 3D digital content for neuroanatomy instruction.
Tell us about your educational research interests and teaching role.
I am interested in exploring the potential benefits of using technology in teaching the complex interactions in neuroscience. Of all the topics that I teach neuro tends to be the most challenging for the students. My goal is to find the best balance between body donors and technology to maximize the student's learning experience.
What is one of your favorite/memorable teaching moments?
While teaching medical students about the neural connections involved in opioid use, I made a simple comparison to a party with bouncers. The students liked the comparison so much that they later helped me develop it into an e-module. The end product is way beyond the unplanned comments I made in class.
What do you see as the biggest benefit to being a member of the IAE?
Being a member of the IAE has allowed me to meet other individuals from different departments with common educational interests. There are so many wonderful interest groups that meet regularly and have helped me to build my own knowledge about the educational resources and possibilities across campus.
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you "grew up" and why?
When I was a kid I swore that I would never do anything life sciences related because of a bad experience dissecting in a high school biology class. Now the anatomy lab is one of my favorite places to work.
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