Maureen Stabio, Ph.D.

Research & Scholarship Statement – Maureen E. Stabio, PhD

My research develops and evaluates innovative 3D technologies for teaching clinical neuroanatomy, widely considered one of the most challenging subjects in medical school. Indeed, the brain's intricate 3D pathways and c-shaped structures are difficult to visualize, and traditional textbook images often fall short. Moreover, the brain is clinically viewed in 2D slices through CT and MRI, adding challenges for novice learners. My research addresses these visuospatial challenges through three innovative, high-impact tools: 1) interactive educational software, 2) 3D printing and 3) plastination.

My first tool is the Visible Brain Atlas, a free, open-access, interactive software built from a 7-Tesla MRI of my own brain and overlaid with 3D volumetric renderings segmented that can be sliced, rotated, and digitally dissected. My early work demonstrated that this tool significantly improved medical students’ confidence and skill in identifying complex internal brain structures on an MRI, and 100% of participants recommended it for future students. Since publication of this initial validation study, we have added cortical parcellation, vascular segmentation, instructional guide, and lesson video, distributed worldwide through Touch of Life Technologies (Toltech), the result of close collaboration with dedicated students and talented Toltech staff.

Second, I’ve harnessed the rapid, recent cost reduction of 3D printing technology to build novel 3D printed models of the brain. With sustained external funding from the Colorado Department of Higher Education, our team has created the Colorado OER Anatomy Hub with free downloadable organ models that have been implemented in 14 courses across 7 Colorado institutions. While data collection is ongoing, initial analysis demonstrates strong educational and cost-savings impact, and our team was recently awarded the 2026 Most Exceptional OER Team for the State of Colorado. In parallel, I led an international author team publishing an invited comprehensive review of 3D printing for neuroanatomy education, spanning pedagogical rationale, methods, cost-effectiveness, and access to help other educators more easily implement these tools.

With contributions from dozens of students over the last decade, I built the CU Plastinated Organ Library, a comprehensive collection of plastinated brains and other organs, including healthy, pathological, and unique dissections. Because plastination renders tissues inert, durable, and touchable, they can be transported outside of the lab.  So, I created a free lending program that serves not only our own professional programs, but also dozens of outreach organizations, including my own WELCOME Program.  Over the past decade, we have grown the collection from a single brain to 80 organs, serving 3000 learners annually.  My scholarship in this field spans the full lifecycle of the plastinate, from dissection technique to ethical stewardship. My graduate students and I have published novel en bloc dissection methods, documented faculty perceptions of plastination, and addressed the ethics of displaying human tissues for students and the public.

A common thread in my work is open access.  My resources are distributed under Creative Commons so students can learn regardless of location or resources, and they lend themselves naturally to student projects.  I have mentored hundreds of exceptional medical and graduate students who have served as co-authors on publications and conference presentations.  In addition to advancing neuroanatomy education, my overarching career goal is to prepare the next generation of scientists and clinicians who can move fluently between digital imaging and the 3D structure of the human body.

1. Lister JP, Cale A, Stetter ZD, Cronin JE, Summers SR, Stratford JM, McMenamin PG, Stabio ME. Next generation open access visualization of neuroanatomy through 3D modeling and 3D printing. Anat Sci Educ. 2026 May 16. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 42141853
2. Vugampore MI, Alor EV, Hoffman GR, Wiltgen RJ, Szuster D, Frank PW, Baptista CAC, Stabio ME. A video dissection guide for the en bloc extraction of the human central nervous system. Anat Sci Educ. 2025 Nov;18(11):1289-1300. PubMed PMID: 41058099
3. Corigliano MR, Carlson AM, Sillau SH, Stabio ME. An innovative 3D-printed model of the cerebral arterial circle for dental gross anatomy. J Dent Educ. 2024 Dec;88 Suppl 3:1938-1941. PubMed PMID: 38129320
4. Hoffman GR, Giduturi C, Cordaro NJ, Yoshida CT, Schoffstall AM, Stabio ME, Zuckerman MD. Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: Xylazine. ACS Chem Neurosci. 2024 Jun 5;15(11):2091-2098. PubMed PMID: 38747710
5. Renna JM, Sondereker KB, Cors CL, Chaszeyka SN, Keenan KN, Corigliano MR, Milgrom LA, Onyak JR, Hamad EJ, Stabio ME. From 2D slices to a 3D model: Training students in digital microanatomy analysis techniques through a 3D printed neuron project. Anat Sci Educ. 2024 Apr-May;17(3):499-505. PubMed PMID: 38379173 (Selected for journal cover)
6. Hoffman GR, Olson MG, Schoffstall AM, Estévez RF, Van den Eynde V, Gillman PK, Stabio ME. Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: Selegiline, Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine, and Tranylcypromine. ACS Chem Neurosci. 2023 Dec 6;14(23):4064-4075. PubMed PMID: 37966854
7. Sondereker KB, Stabio ME, Renna JM. Crosstalk: The diversity of melanopsin ganglion cell types has begun to challenge the canonical divide between image-forming and non-image-forming vision. J Comp Neurol. 2020 Aug;528(12):2044-2067. PubMed PMID: 32003463
8. Quattrochi LE, Stabio ME, Kim I, Ilardi MC, Michelle Fogerson P, Leyrer ML, Berson DM. The M6 cell: A small-field bistratified photosensitive retinal ganglion cell. J Comp Neurol. 2019 Jan 1;527(1):297-311. PubMed PMID: 30311650
9. Feiler J, Stabio ME. 2018. Three pillars of educational neuroscience from three decades of literature. Trends in Neuroscience and Education Nov 15; 13; 17-25. DOI:10.1016/j.tine.2018.11.001

   10. Sondereker KB, Stabio ME, Jamil JR, Tarchick MJ, Renna JM. Where You Cut Matters: A Dissection and Analysis Guide for the Spatial Orientation of the Mouse Retina from Ocular Landmarks. J Vis Exp. 2018 Aug 4;(138). PubMed PMID: 30124662

   11. Stabio ME, Sondereker KB, Haghgou SD, Day BL, Chidsey B, Sabbah S, Renna JM. A novel map of the mouse eye for orienting retinal topography in anatomical space. J Comp Neurol. 2018 Aug 1;526(11):1749-1759. PubMed PMID: 29633277

   12. Bonezzi PJ, Stabio ME, Renna JM. The Development of Mid-Wavelength Photoresponsivity in the Mouse Retina. Curr Eye Res. 2018 May;43(5):666-673. PubMed PMID: 29447486

   13. Hlavac RJ, Klaus R, Betts K, Smith SM, Stabio ME. Novel dissection of the central nervous system to bridge gross anatomy and neuroscience for an integrated medical curriculum. Anat Sci Educ. 2018 Mar;11(2):185-195. PubMed PMID: 28817239

   14. Klaus RM, Royer DF, Stabio ME. Use and perceptions of plastination among medical anatomy educators in the United States. Clin Anat. 2018 Mar;31(2):282-292. PubMed PMID: 29178370

   15. Stabio ME, Sabbah S, Quattrochi LE, Ilardi MC, Fogerson PM, Leyrer ML, Kim MT, Kim I, Schiel M, Renna JM, Briggman KL, Berson DM. The M5 Cell: A Color-Opponent Intrinsically Photosensitive Retinal Ganglion Cell. Neuron. 2018 Jan 3;97(1):251. PubMed PMID: 29301102 (Selected for journal cover)

   16. Ueki Y, Ramirez G, Salcedo E, Stabio ME, Lefcort F. Loss of Ikbkap Causes Slow, Progressive Retinal Degeneration in a Mouse Model of Familial Dysautonomia. eNeuro. 2016 Sep-Oct;3(5). PubMed PMID: 27699209

   17. Drapkin ZA, Lindgren KA, Lopez MJ, Stabio ME. Development and assessment of a new 3D neuroanatomy teaching tool for MRI training. Anat Sci Educ. 2015 Nov-Dec;8(6):502-9. PubMed PMID: 25573020

   18. Renna JM, Chellappa DK, Ross CL, Stabio ME, Berson DM. Melanopsin ganglion cells extend dendrites into the outer retina during early postnatal development. Dev Neurobiol. 2015 Sep;75(9):935-46. PubMed PMID: 25534911

   19. Wang JS, Nymark S, Frederiksen R, Estevez ME, Shen SQ, Corbo JC, Cornwall MC, Kefalov VJ. Chromophore supply rate-limits mammalian photoreceptor dark adaptation. J Neurosci. 2014 Aug 20;34(34):11212-21. PubMed PMID: 25143602

   20. Dhande OS, Estevez ME, Quattrochi LE, El-Danaf RN, Nguyen PL, Berson DM, Huberman AD. Genetic dissection of retinal inputs to brainstem nuclei controlling image stabilization. J Neurosci. 2013 Nov 6;33(45):17797-813. PubMed PMID: 24198370

   21. Weng S, Estevez ME, Berson DM. Mouse ganglion-cell photoreceptors are driven by the most sensitive rod pathway and by both types of cones. PLoS One. 2013;8(6):e66480. PubMed PMID: 23762490

   22. Estevez ME, Fogerson PM, Ilardi MC, Borghuis BG, Chan E, Weng S, Auferkorte ON, Demb JB, Berson DM. Form and function of the M4 cell, an intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cell type contributing to geniculocortical vision. J Neurosci. 2012 Sep 26;32(39):13608-20. PubMed PMID: 23015450

   23. Estevez ME, Lindgren KA, Bergethon PR. A novel three-dimensional tool for teaching human neuroanatomy. Anat Sci Educ. 2010 Nov-Dec;3(6):309-17. PubMed PMID: 20939033

   24. Estevez ME, Kolesnikov AV, Ala-Laurila P, Crouch RK, Govardovskii VI, Cornwall MC. The 9-methyl group of retinal is essential for rapid Meta II decay and phototransduction quenching in red cones. J Gen Physiol. 2009 Aug;134(2):137-50. PubMed PMID: 19635855

   25. Wang JS, Estevez ME, Cornwall MC, Kefalov VJ. Intra-retinal visual cycle required for rapid and complete cone dark adaptation. Nat Neurosci. 2009 Mar;12(3):295-302. PubMed PMID: 19182795

   26. Kolesnikov AV, Ala-Laurila P, Shukolyukov SA, Crouch RK, Wiggert B, Estevez ME, Govardovskii VI, Cornwall MC. Visual cycle and its metabolic support in gecko photoreceptors. Vision Res. 2007 Feb;47(3):363-74. PubMed PMID: 17049961

   27. Estevez ME, Ala-Laurila P, Crouch RK, Cornwall MC. Turning cones off: the role of the 9-methyl group of retinal in red cones. J Gen Physiol. 2006 Dec;128(6):671-85. PubMed PMID: 17101818

   28. He Q, Alexeev D, Estevez ME, McCabe SL, Calvert PD, Ong DE, Cornwall MC, Zimmerman AL, Makino CL. Cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channels in rod photoreceptors are protected from retinoid inhibition. J Gen Physiol. 2006 Oct;128(4):473-85. PubMed PMID: 17001087

   29. Ala-Laurila P, Kolesnikov AV, Crouch RK, Tsina E, Shukolyukov SA, Govardovskii VI, Koutalos Y, Wiggert B, Estevez ME, Cornwall MC. Visual cycle: Dependence of retinol production and removal on photoproduct decay and cell morphology. J Gen Physiol. 2006 Aug;128(2):153-69. PubMed PMID: 16847097

   30. Kefalov VJ, Estevez ME, Kono M, Goletz PW, Crouch RK, Cornwall MC, Yau KW. Breaking the covalent bond--a pigment property that contributes to desensitization in cones. Neuron. 2005 Jun 16;46(6):879-90. PubMed PMID: 15953417

News & Blogs

1. The Art of Neuroanatomy: The Marriage of Art, Science, & the Brain. Brain Injury Hope Foundation Blog, Sep 2025.
2. Five Questions for Maureen Stabio. CU Connections Spotlight, Sep 2023.
3. Intricate Look at Neurons Brings Wonder and Intrigue to Anatomy Lesson. CU Anschutz Today, Nov 2022.
4. Neuron Forest Panel Discussion. CU Anschutz Center for Bioethics & Humanities, Oct 2022.
5. High-Tech Track Opens Career Options for Anatomists. CU Anschutz Today, Jun 2022.
6. “It’s Not Your Fault”: CU Anschutz Students Talk With Teens About Mental Health. CU Anschutz Today, Feb 2020.
7. Little Understood Cell Helps Mice See Color. NeuroscienceNews.com (also featured in Science Daily, University of Akron Online, and CU Anschutz Today), Dec 2017.
8. Guide for en bloc cadaveric extraction of the central nervous system. Anatomy Now: Official Newsletter of the American Association of Anatomists, Sep 2017.
9. Remarkable en bloc dissection of human central and peripheral nervous system accomplished at University of Colorado. Neuropathology Blog, Jun 2017.

   10. Middle schoolers dissect brains, consider health care careers. CU Anschutz Today, Feb 2017.

   11. Stabio’s Three Keys for Graduate School Success. CU Connections, Oct 2016.

   12. Interview with Maureen Stabio: Three Keys for Graduate School Success. GRADLOGIC, Oct 2016.

   13. Your Bag of Apples — Setting Realistic Goals. GRADLOGIC, Sep 2016 (reposted in Tomorrow’s Professor eNewsletter, Stanford University Center for Teaching and Learning, Oct 2018).

   14. Mentorship in Graduate Education. Change Magazine, Jan/Feb 2009.