The UNMC Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy in the College of Medicine co-sponsored the 2026 Northwest Regional Anato-Bee, held in March on UNMC’s Omaha campus, alongside the Department of Oral Biology in the College of Dentistry.
The event was co-hosted by UNMC College of Medicine’s Samantha Simet, PhD, and Matt Vilburn, DC, associate professors in the UNMC Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Anatomy, in collaboration with Nancy Adams, PhD, assistant professor of anatomy in the UNMC Department of Oral Biology.
The Anato-Bee welcomed high school STEM students from many mid-western states, including Nebraska, to UNMC. Participants qualified through local competitions to advance to the regional level. This free outreach initiative promotes education in anatomy, embryology and histology while encouraging students to explore careers in the anatomical sciences. The top two finishers will receive stipends to attend a summer STEM program.
“This second iteration of hosting the Regional Anato-Bee competition has been an even greater joy for Dr. Vilburn and me,” Dr. Simet said. “Welcoming students from across the Midwest and continuing to foster curiosity and excellence in anatomy has been a true privilege. The event also provided a unique opportunity to collaborate across campuses, working closely with Dr. Nancy Adams and the Department of Oral Biology in the College of Dentistry to create a dynamic, interdisciplinary experience.
“This event would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our chair, Dr. Vimla Band, as well as our dedicated student volunteers, faculty, and staff. We are sincerely grateful for the college of dentistry partnership, the iEXCEL team, and all who played a role in making this event a success.”
The event’s fun, collaborative competition format included:
- An anatomy lab practical consisting of 50 multiple choice questions involving clinical imaging, histological slides and donor pins.
- Standardized patient interactions and diagnosis.
- A written exam composed of 125 multiple choice questions demonstrating mastery of study guide objectives for anatomy, histology and embryology.
- Clinical applications oral quiz round consisting of 30 completion questions.
“We look forward to seeing these students flourish, continue along their academic journey, and perhaps return as future students in our programs,” Dr. Simet said.