Jordan Tanner, a 2019 graduate of the Master of Science program in Cell Systems and Anatomy, is the recipient of an Early-Career Publication Award from the American Association For Anatomy.

Her award-winning publication “A Three‐Dimensional Print Model of the Pterygopalatine Fossa Significantly Enhances the Learning Experience” was based on her thesis work and  was published in January 2020 in Anatomical Sciences Education. The journal is ranked third among all 42 journals that focus on education in the scientific disciplines.

As a student, Jordan was mentored by Dr. Ramaswamy Sharma. For her thesis, she created a model of the pterygopalatine fossa and analyzed its educational value by performing a randomized mixed methods model study.

“The pterygopalatine fossa (PPF) is a tiny space in our skull that acts as an important junction for nerves and arteries supplying various head regions. If the PPF is affected, severe headaches called cluster headaches are felt that affect one side of the head, especially the area around the eyes. Therefore, knowledge of this area is critical for doctors, dentists, and ear, nose, throat specialists” she explained.

During her research, the model was found to significantly improve knowledge of the PPF in student performance on post-quizzes as compared to students who used a traditional half-skull, commonly employed in dental schools. Students also indicated that they thoroughly enjoyed learning with the model, which was icing on the cake!

“Overall, it is well-known that the PPF is a difficult area for students to understand and our model is a major step in promoting understanding of this complex space,” she said. “This study also demonstrates the benefits of 3D printed models in studying anatomy.”

Jordan was also the recipient of the Rennels Award for Excellence in Graduate Studies. To read more about her project, check out the article “Jordan Tanner: My Love For Anatomy.”