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 dissection of human anatomical donors, 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 OER Team Wins State of Colorado Award
The MHA OER (Open Education Resources) Team Wins the Most Exceptional OER Team in the State of Colorado
Jun 11, 2026
The Modern Human Anatomy OER Team was recently awarded the Most Exceptional OER Team in the State of Colorado!! This is a state-wide competition run by the Colorado Department of Education for the development of open educational resources (OER). The OER Anatomy Team consists of Ezra Heeschen, Zachary Stetter, Chelsea Lohman, Paul Morse, Ernesto Salcedo, Noah Leppek, Steven Summers, and Maureen Stabio. They built the Colorado OER Anatomy Hub, a first-of-its-kind, freely accessible repository of high-quality 3D printable anatomical models and instructional guides available to any teacher or learner in the world at no cost.
Between 2024 and 2026, our Hub assets were implemented in 17 courses across 8 collaborating CO institutions, reaching 2,784 students and 10 instructors. Survey data from 895 students confirmed strong educational impact. The OER Anatomy Team presented at three national anatomy conferences and four Colorado conferences, and recently submitted an abstract for the 2026 Global OER Conference. Their models have been adopted beyond Colorado, both nationally and internationally by educators from Indiana to Australia, and the Hub is continuing to grow.
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
-dr-maureen-stabio-zach-stetter-and-ezra-heeschen.jpg?sfvrsn=437b8cb4_1 "OER Award Winners (left to right) Dr. Maureen Stabio, Zach Stetter, and Ezra Heeschen")
