The Master of Science Program in Modern Human Anatomy (MHA) provides graduate level training and teaching experience in the physical and virtual anatomical sciences. The curriculum integrates 3D computer imaging and modeling with human cadaver dissection, neuroanatomy, histology, and embryology.
This is you: a student at CU Anschutz in the Master’s of Modern Human Anatomy Program. This is you: in state of the art facilities doing full body human donor dissections. This is you: exploring the human body in 3D using the Visible Human Dissector that was developed through the National Library of Medicine. This is you: surface scanning and 3D printing anatomical models. This is you: doing digital dissection through augmented reality. Modern Anatomy: it’s the use of digital imaging such as ultrasound, CT and MRI. It’s conducting research that impacts patient care. Here at CU Anschutz, students don’t just learn gross anatomy, but learn histology, embryology, and neuroanatomy, as well as courses in digital modeling, using MAYA, UnrealEngine, and Blender. It’s combining biology and technology, with creativity and discovery. It’s discovering who you are and who you want to be. So you might ask yourself: What is Modern Human Anatomy? We are Modern Human Anatomy.
Modern Human Anatomy in the News
MHA's Brendan Hinckley Named 2025 Outstanding Master's Student
The Graduate School at CU-Anschutz awarded Brendan Hinckley the Outstanding Master's Student award for his outstanding work in the research lab and the classroom.
Jun 16, 2025
Congratulations to May 2025 Modern Human Anatomy graduate, Brendan Hinckley, for being named the 2025 Outstanding Master's Student by the Graduate School at University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Check out the article on Brendan's achievement.
In the article, Brendan noted, “I'm moving on to medical school after this, and so having the opportunity to do a program on a medical campus and participate in research projects that are on a medical campus was something that not many places offer,” Hinckley said. “It was the opportunities that were on the campus that brought me here.”
In addition to his outstanding work in the classroom and in the lab, Brendan served as his MHA class co-president for the past two years. Congratulations, Brendan!
The MSMHA program was a great experience, with great faculty that serve as mentors and encourage you to explore things you are intellectually curious about. The program prepared me well for medical school and beyond. The flexibility of the second year curriculum allowed me to explore my interests and led me to the medical specialty of anatomic and clinical pathology. The strong foundation in the anatomic sciences that was built in this program is put into practice daily, from gross dissection of surgical specimens, to using microscopic anatomy when I look at glass slides to render a pathologic diagnosis for patient care. Not only do I use my anatomic training daily, I am using the training I received in various imaging modalities and technologies to understand current innovations in digital pathology and the utility of imaging combined with informatics to improve diagnostic accuracy. It's an exciting time to be an anatomist!
Wai Szeto, MD, MHA Class of 2015 Fellow | Forensic Pathology | University of North Dakota
