As AAA members prepare for Anatomy Connected ’24, it seems right to highlight one that is fully embracing the theme of “Visualizing Anatomy. Dr. Yasmeen Mezil has been able to seamlessly blend her passion for art with the rigors of academia, creating a new vision for student engagement that makes the science more approachable. As a full-time faculty member at McMaster University, Dr. Mezil navigates a multifaceted role, intertwining teaching, research, and advocacy with an unwavering commitment to revolutionize the way anatomy is perceived and taught. Embracing the theme of "Visualizing Anatomy," Dr. Mezil's journey is a testament to resilience, creativity, and the magic of bringing every aspect of yourself into your science.
Finding a New Path: Advocating for Art in Academia
Dr. Mezil's academic path took a turn when she realized the power of merging her passion for art with her scientific pursuits. During her Ph.D she experienced a pivotal moment of introspection. Despite initially following a traditional scientific trajectory, she felt a growing disconnect between her research and her desire for broader impact and engagement.
Halfway through my project, when I was trying to plan out the third chapter of my work, I just started to have a lot of dialogue with myself. On one hand, I was creating these illustrations for surgeons in the hospital and I was seeing the value of this work through their publication and the benefit they brought to the surgical community. I was also learning about the importance of science communication and knowledge translation in graduate school. But on the other hand, I was not implementing any of that in my work.
This internal dialogue culminated in a conversation with her supervisor. Dr. Mezil advocated for the integration of her artistic skills into her research, emphasizing the importance of novel translation and accessibility. Despite initial skepticism, her supervisor recognized the potential of her approach, granting her the freedom to explore this novel intersection.
Artistry in Anatomy: Embracing Visual Learning
Dr. Mezil's teaching philosophy revolves around making anatomy accessible and engaging through visualization. Her favorite tool? The chalkboard. With intricate chalk drawings, she transforms the anatomy lab into a space of collaborative exploration and learning. For Dr. Mezil, it's not about artistic perfection but about fostering understanding. She encourages her students to embrace drawing as a form of orientation, likening it to creating a map to navigate complex anatomical structures. Through her approach, she empowers students to take ownership of their learning, demystifying intimidating subjects and instilling confidence.
Draw, Design, Disseminate: Gamifying Anatomy Education
One of Dr. Mezil's most innovative projects is "Draw, Design, Disseminate" (D3), a collaborative effort to reimagine anatomy education through visualization and gamification. Recognizing the limitations of traditional teaching methods, Dr. Mezil and her team of undergraduate students embarked on a journey to create interactive and engaging learning resources. Through design thinking principles, they developed board games, card decks, and 3D activities that transform anatomy learning into a playful experience. By gamifying complex concepts like vascular anatomy and musculoskeletal systems, they enhance student comprehension and retention.
It also gives her students the opportunity to see and experience the new path that Dr. Mezil created for herself. Bringing their artistic talent into their research, and thinking about education in a new way, “It's just so satisfying to see them do things that they didn't think they'd be able to do…to be involved in this project and to practice all these different elements that make up who you are…That is where the magic happens.”
Future Work: Decolonizing Anatomy
Dr. Mezil's vision extends beyond the classroom. She is passionate about decolonizing anatomy education, ensuring that diverse perspectives are represented, but also going further to ensure they are understood and celebrated. She hopes that this project will create an environment where students from all backgrounds can be themselves fully in academic spaces, bringing all of their knowledge and lived experiences with them.
Through collaborations with art students and initiatives like D3 and Decolonizing Anatomy, she creates inclusive spaces for exploration and discovery. Her commitment to blending art and science, advocating for visual learning, and fostering creativity in education sets her apart in the field of anatomy. Dr. Yasmeen Mezil's journey reminds us of the transformative power of novel approaches and the importance of challenging conventional norms to visualize a path that can create meaningful change.