The Council

About the Institute

The Institute of Anatomical Sciences. Founded in 1984, is a growing international group of Anatomy and Anatomically-related professionals dedicated to sharing knowledge, techniques and practices to ensure informed intellectual and technical expertise in the Anatomical Sciences.

We have an educational programme including anatomical techniques workshops, skeletal preparations, embalming, dissection/prosection and several other techniques/skills unique to our profession. A formal educational qualification, the IAS Diploma provides and ensures a gold standard of expertise expected by Higher Educational Institutions and is accompanied by a Certificate in Anatomical Technology and Science.

In addition to holding two Scientific Meetings a year in the UK and Ireland to update and educate our general membership, there is a journal and a newsletter, which serves to keep the members informed.

Meet the Key Members of the Council:

John Ben

The President

Magazine & Supplement Editor

contact info: john.emile.ben@mail.com

I joined the IAS in 1985 and have served on Council since 1990 and over the 30+ years have held most of the offices. Currently I am President and Editor producing the IAS News Magazine and its sister publication of World News.

I am now retired but over my working life, I have worked variously in Pathology and Tropical Medicine and most recently established and ran the Pathology Teaching Unit and several satellites including a pathology museum for the University of Nottingham and the NHS. I was also a lecturer at Nottingham Trent University and for the East Midlands Police.

Now my main interest is in developing the IAS and in preserving the anatomical/museum techniques used in the past, and developing new techniques for the future, and in developing a worldwide network for members. Away from the IAS I am involved in raising sponsorship to help with building and running a school in rural Kenya to give an education to orphans and the children of the poorest families who would not otherwise be educated.

Wendy Birch

Vice President

HTA Rep

contact info: w.birch@ucl.ac.uk

I am a forensic anatomist based at University College London (UCL), where I manage the Anatomy Laboratory. My expertise encompasses human and non-human tissue preservation, dissection, and osteology.

Since joining the IAS in 1993, I have actively contributed to council, holding various positions including Membership Secretary and Chair. Currently, I serve as a Vice President and represent the IAS on the Anatomy Associations Advisory Committee (AAAC).

Cecilia Brassett

Vice President

contact info: cb457@cam.ac.uk

I was a medical student and anatomy demonstrator at the University of Cambridge, and as the current Teaching Professor of Human Anatomy, organises the anatomy teaching programme together with our wonderful colleagues.

I also enjoy collaborating with clinicians on a number of anatomical research projects. As I am on the Council of both the Anatomical Society and the British Association of Clinical Anatomists, I was thrilled to be invited to join the Institute of Anatomical Sciences and hope I can contribute in a meaningful way to this very active and friendly society.

Sarah Nicoll

Chair

Deputy Education Officer

Contact info: snicoll@rvc.ac.uk

As Senior Anatomy Technician at the Royal Veterinary College I am responsible for the set-up of practical classes and for the production of a wide variety of teaching resources through embalming, plastination and osteological preparation.

I also participate during gross anatomy practicals as an Anatomy Demonstrator. I am the Technical Manager for the RVCs Plastination Suite and responsible for organising the activities of the RVCs Anatomy Club. I regularly participate in widening participation, outreach and community engagement events such as the Sutton Trust Summer Schools and the popular Nights at the Vet College.

I have a Post Graduate Certificate in Veterinary Education and the Diploma in Anatomical Technology and Science from the IAS. I have been a member of the IAS since 2008 and prior to becoming Chairperson I held the position of Education Officer from 2015 to 2022.

Steve Gaze

Vice Chair

Deputy Membership Secretary

contact info: Steve.Gaze@bristol.ac.uk

I started working for the University of Bristol in Sept 1980 as a Technician in the Anatomy Department where I continued to work until 2014 when I took my current role.

 

During my 34 years in Anatomy I worked my way to the position of Technical Manager and along the way picked up skills in Anatomical techniques such as Specimen preparation, dissection and prosection, Perspex specimen pot construction, osteological preparation and resin casting of arterial and venous systems in specimens. In 1996 I designed and ran a Workshop in Perspex pot repair, renovation and construction techniques which we have continued to run successfully  each year to date. I was also grateful to get the opportunity to teach Practical Anatomy to Veterinary and Anatomical Sciences students for many years which helped me develop my dissection and prosection skills further.

I have also recently taken up the role of South West regional Network co-ordinator for HEaTED, the Technicians CPD arm of STEM Learning. 

Stephen Franey

Vice Chair

Meetings Co-ordinator

contact info: stephen.franey@kcl.ac.uk

My areas of scientific expertise are Histology, Microscopy, & Immuohistochemisty, having originally trained as a Biomedical Scientist. Other areas of expertise include conference management, network coordination and CPD facilitator.

 

 I am passionate about training scientific & technical staff in higher and further education, and related organisations across the UK.

I am a Fellow of the Institute of Anatomical Sciences (FIAS); elected member of the Royal Society of Biology (MRSB) and a Chartered Scientist

Tom Cornwall

Treasurer

Contact Info: thomas.cornwall@bristol.ac.uk

I am the treasurer for the IAS and have been a member of the institute since 2013. I currently teach both human and veterinary anatomy at the School of Anatomy at the University of Bristol.

My role before this was as a member of the centre’s technical team, so I also have experience in the running of both human and veterinary dissection rooms. This includes embalming, potting & osteological preparation and a good working knowledge of the HTA. I have helped run the successful potting workshops put on by the IAS with the team at Bristol.

Kirsty Nelson

Secretary

contact info:

kirsty.nelson@bristol.ac.uk

I started working for the School of Anatomy at the University of Bristol in 2018, and joined the IAS not long afterwards. I’m still there, setting up classes and building skeletons, and I hope to be here for many years more.

Carys Davies

Deputy Secretary

contact info: Carys.Davies@bristol.ac.uk

I am Technical Manager for the School of Anatomy, University of Bristol. I started my career in the School as a junior technician after completing my BSc , learning a range of technical skills and anatomical knowledge in both Human and Veterinary Anatomy.

I joined the IAS in 2006 and then joined the council as IAS Secretary in 2011.

Rachel Parrott

Membership Secretary

contact info: membership@anatomical-sciences.org.uk

I started in anatomy in 2003 and instantly found I had an interest in the subject. I was introduced to the IAS by a colleague very early on, and found a network of welcoming people with a wealth of knowledge.

 I started as a lab attendant in Southampton University, and gradually worked my way to senior lab technician. I moved to St Andrews University Scotland in 2019 as Assistant Prosector, just after starting as the membership secretary and now manage the DR.

Saira Khurshid Akhtar

Education Officer

contact info:

education@anatomical-sciences.org.uk

I have been a member of the IAS since 2023 and was excited when the opportunity came up to join the IAS Council as Education Officer. In this role, I am responsible for organising the IAS’s qualifications and competitions.

I work as a Teaching Fellow at the Royal Veterinary College and am predominantly involved in anatomy education of preclinical veterinary students. Prior to this I worked as a vet in first opinion small animal practice and now particularly enjoy educating students on the clinical relevance of the anatomy they are interacting with.

I have a Post Graduate Certificate in Veterinary Education and am currently working towards the Diploma. I am very passionate about sustainability, both in anatomy education and the veterinary profession, and chair the RVC’s Anatomy Team Environmental Sustainability Working Group.

Kirsty Leśniak

Joint Editor of The Journal of the Institute of Anatomical Sciences

Contact: journal@anatomical-sciences.org.uk

I am a Senior Lecturer in the field of Equine Science at Hartpury University, where I lecture anatomy and physiology and exercise physiology at both UG and PG levels.

My MSc and BSc (Hons) were both in Equine Science which is where my passion for anatomy was sparked. I then took this through to my PhD where I investigated the impact of distal limb and hoof asymmetries on equine health and welfare. I have been member of the IAS since 2014 and joined the Council as Joint Editor for the Journal of the IAS in 2020.

Position Vacant

Journal Editor

For more details contact info@anatomical-sciences.org.uk

Natasha Russell

JIAS Communications Officer

Contact:

journal@anatomical-sciences.org.uk

N.Russell.1@bham.ac.uk

I’ve been a member of the IAS since I first embarked on a career in Anatomy more years ago now than I care to remember, and I now I also am the Secretary for the Anatomy Associations Advisory Committee.

I am the Technical Manager for both Anatomy and Clinical Skills within the College of Medicine and Health at the University of Birmingham, and have been in post here since 2018. I hold a BSc (hons) in Human Anatomy from the University of Liverpool, and an MSc in Forensic Anthropology from the University of Bradford, and my day to day role lets me combine my love for osteological and cadaveric anatomy. The IAS is a fantastic network of skilled technicians and knowledgeable experts, and always a great source of professional advice and support. I’m really happy to support the IAS and other technician’s development through my role on Council.

Desiree Botana Machando

Deputy Meetings Organiser

Contact:

D.Botana-Machado@liverpool.ac.uk

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Olly Kovaljova

Webmaster

contact info: ok27@st-andrews.ac.uk

I've joined IAS in 2018 and have taken on the webmaster role in 2021 and before then I assisted in managing the IAS website and social media pages.

In my day job I work in University of St Andrews Medical School as a Prosector and create new prosections that are used in teaching. My area of interest in human anatomy and how the body functions therefore its a delight to learn more about it as I create new prosections. 

Humayra Bakar

Deputy Webmaster

contact info:

hb231@st-andrews.ac.uk

I am an Assistant Prosector at the University of St Andrews and Medical Illustrator. I was previously an Anatomy Demonstrator at the University of Glasgow, School of Medicine, where I facilitated the learning of medical students.

I completed my Master of Science degree in Medical Visualisation and Human Anatomy at the Glasgow School of Art and the University of Glasgow in 2022 and obtained my honours degree in Anatomical Sciences at the University of Dundee in 2021. I have recently joined the IAS in 2024 as Deputy Webmaster.

Brian Thompson

Public Relations Officer

Contact info: Brian.Thompson-1@sunderland.ac.uk

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Position Vacant

Deputy Public Relations Officer

For more details contact info@anatomical-sciences.org.uk

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Laura Oliver

Admin

Contact: info@anatomical-sciences.org.uk

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Position Vacant

Social Media Officer

For more details contact info@anatomical-sciences.org.uk

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Position Vacant

Deputy News Magazine & Supplement Editor

For more details contact info@anatomical-sciences.org.uk

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Membership is open to persons in any discipline which recognises the need for anatomical training in their profession and to those who are sympathetic to the aims of the Institute.

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