Rate My Professor Rachel Aland

Dr Rachel Claire Aland is a Senior Lecturer in Anatomy in the School of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Queensland. She earned her PhD in 2004 from the University of Queensland's School of Biomedical Sciences with a thesis on Aspects of olfaction in the life history of Antechinus subtropicus. Her academic qualifications also include a Bachelor of Science, a Bachelor of Science (Advanced Honours), and a Graduate Certificate in Education from the University of Queensland, as well as a Master's (Coursework) in Education from the University of the Highlands and Islands. Throughout her career at UQ, Aland has focused on teaching gross anatomy, histology, and integrated anatomy within medical and biomedical science curricula, contributing to educational innovations such as digital microscopy and continuity in teaching during natural disasters.

Aland's research specializations encompass anatomy education, including the selection and use of digital anatomy resources, inclusion and diversity in skin anatomy teaching, feedback in medical education, and anatomical morphometry and variations. Her interests extend to avian intestinal ultrastructure, probiotics, and necrotic enteritis pathogenesis. Notable publications include 'A plethora of choices: an anatomists’ practical perspectives for the selection of digital anatomy resources' in Smart Learning Environments (2023), 'The virtual microscope: tracing knowledge of human microstructure through digital images' (book chapter, Intellect Books, 2022), 'Avian intestinal ultrastructure changes provide insight into the pathogenesis of enteric diseases and probiotic mode of action' in Scientific Reports (2021), 'Seasonal morphometry of the vomeronasal organ in the marsupial mouse, Antechinus subtropicus' in Journal of Morphology (2016), 'Development and validation of a technique for casting anatomical features and toolmarks' in Journal of Forensic Sciences (2016), and 'Dorsal digital septum of the distal interphalangeal joint' in Journal of Hand Surgery-American Volume (2009). She has authored one book, 15 journal articles, one book chapter, and 85 conference papers, accumulating around 150 citations. Aland has presented at conferences including IAMSE 2022 on e-learning in the UQ Medical Program and ANZAHPE 2023 on lessons from natural disasters for biomedical teaching, impacting pedagogy in anatomy and biomedical sciences.