Who We Are

Meet Our Innovation Team

The Global Neuroanatomy Network (GNN) would not be possible without the efforts of a dedicated, international group of neuroanatomy educators. The idea for the GNN grew from an informal discussion on Twitter about the need for better sharing of content and expertise in neuroanatomy education. Since then, the project has transformed into an online hub comprising a community of practice and resource repository to support those teaching neuroanatomy, from fledgling faculty to experienced experts!

The GNN aims to complement other online tools — like the Virtual Microscopy Database (VMD) and Virtual Dissection Database (VDD) — with an emphasis on facilitating the exchange of neuroanatomical content that is accessible and applicable to a wide range of global contexts.

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Amanda J. Meyer

PhD, FHEA

She/Her

Oceania, Perth, Australia

Amanda is an anatomist, educator, and anatomy education researcher. She has a strong track record in teaching excellence, publishing in high-impact journals, and providing a number of services to the worldwide anatomy community through various committees and working groups. She is a Senior Lecturer at UWA.

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Claudia Krebs

MD, PhD

She/Her

North America, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Claudia is a Professor of Teaching, neuroanatomist, and tech enthusiast at the University of British Columbia.

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Dara M. Cannon

PhD

She/Her

Europe, Galway, Ireland

Dara is a Professor and Neuroscientist at the University of Galway, interested in all things brain and imaging, especially bipolar disorder, living by the sea in Galway, with lots of tea and three amazing small people.

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Doris George Yohannan

MBBS, MD

He/Him

Asia, India

Doris is an Assistant Professor of Anatomy at the Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, India. He has 12 years of experience in teaching Anatomy.

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Jose Paulo Andrade

PhD, MD

He/Him

Europe, Porto, Portugal

Jose is a Full Professor of Neuroanatomy and Gross Anatomy living in Porto, Portugal, teaching at the Faculty of Medicine of Porto. He is a medical doctor specialist in Laboratory Medicine and an amateur photographer when he is not lecturing or writing.

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Kirsten Brown

PhD, MA

She/Her

North America, Washington, DC, USA

Kirsten is an Associate Professsor, gross anatomy and neuroanatomy educator, medical education researcher, die hard LSU Football fan, and cooking enthusiast.

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Laura Y. Whitburn

PhD

She/Her

Oceania, Melbourne, Australia

Laura started her career as a physiotherapist before transitioning into tertiary education and research. She is currently Senior Lecturer in Anatomy at La Trobe University. Laura is fascinated by all things brain, pain, and consciousness.

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Lela Giannaris

PhD

She/Her

North America, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA

Lela is an Associate Professor, anatomy discipline lead, gross anatomy and neuroanatomy educator, and mom of two humans and a fur baby.

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Mark Pickering

PhD

He/Him

Europe, Dublin, Ireland

Mark is a neuroscientist, microscopist, educator, and maker working in the School of Medicine, University College Dublin. His teaching is focused on neuroanatomy and fundamental neurosciences to preclinical medical students.

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Matthew J. Vilburn

DC

He/Him

North America, Omaha, Nebraska, USA

Matt is an Associate Professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, the founder of the Virtual Dissection Database, a loving husband, and father of four great kids.

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Melissa A. Carroll

PhD, MS

She/Her

North America, Washington, DC, USA

Melissa is an Associate Professor, Neuroanatomy discipline lead, founder of Black in Anatomy, loving partner, and mom of two fur babies.

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Mikaela L. Stiver

PhD, MSc

She/Her

North America, Montréal, Québec, Canada

Mikaela is an Assistant Professor at McGill University, game-based learning geek, word puzzle enthusiast, puppy mom, and self-proclaimed overthinker.

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Mónica López Hidlago

PhD

She/Her

North America, Queretaro, México

Mónica is an Assistant Professor at UNAM, México, who loves to do science, surgeries, and to teach about the central nervous system. She is also a foodie and mother of two.

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Peter Vollbrecht

PhD

He/Him

North America, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA

Pete is an Associate Professor, Director of Brain Explorers (a K-12 outreach program), and an enthusiastic member of the Association of STEMM Pathway and Bridge Programs (ASPBP).

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Ronnie E. Baticulon

MD

He/Him

Asia, Manila, Philippines

Ron is a pediatric neurosurgeon at the Philippine General Hospital and Professor in Anatomy at the University of the Philippines College of Medicine. He enjoys reading fiction and running outdoors.

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Roxanne Larsen

PhD, MS

She/Her

North America, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA

Roxanne is an Associate Professor and an educator in Comparative Neuroanatomy, Neurophysiology, Gross Anatomy, and Histology.

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Scott Border

PhD

He/Him

Europe, Glasgow, Scotland

Scott is a Professor of Anatomy at the University of Glasgow, interested in educational innovations in clinical neuroanatomy, student partnership work, and multimedia applications for teaching.

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Siobhan McMahon

PhD

She/Her

Europe, Galway, Ireland

Siobhan is an Assistant Professor of anatomy at University of Galway, neuroscientist, researcher in spinal cord repair and mum to three small people.

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Tom Flanagan

PhD

He/Him

Europe, Dublin, Ireland

Tom is an Anatomy Lecturer and tissue engineering researcher at University College Dublin, and also an avid maker and DIY enthusiast.

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Valeria A. Forlizzi

MD

She/Her

South America, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Valeria is an Adjunct Professor of Anatomy at University of Buenos Aires. She is a Senior Lecturer in Anatomy, Medical Education researcher, and Formula 1 fan.

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Yolanda Salinas-Alvarez

MD

She/Her

North America, Rochester, Minnesota

Yolanda is a Medical Doctor, is a Senior Associate Consultant and Assistant Professor at the Department of Clinical Anatomy at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA. She teaches clinical anatomy to undergraduates, graduates, and clinical trainees. One of her goals is to empower women in Anatomy. She’s also an exercise enthusiast, board games lover, and a mom to two dogs.