A/Prof Monika Zimanyi - Research Portfolio

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About

A/Prof. Monika Zimanyi boasts extensive experience as a senior anatomist, with a career spanning over two decades. She has expertly guided both undergraduate and postgraduate students in human gross anatomy across a range of health science programs. Her expertise encompasses histology, neuroanatomy, embryology, and clinically applied gross anatomy. She has effectively taught diverse audiences, from sizable first-year undergraduate classes to specialized, smaller postgraduate groups. Monika adeptly employs a diverse range of instructional techniques, incorporating digital platforms, face-to-face interactions, the innovative flipped classroom model, and student-centered learning strategies. This adaptable pedagogical approach facilitates comprehensive content delivery across various disciplines, accommodating diverse learning preferences and fostering an engaging and dynamic educational journey.

In 2018, Monika received a JCU citation for Outstanding Contributions to student learning. The citation acknowledged her teaching excellence in revitalizing the first-year Anatomy and Physiology subject. This was achieved through innovative approaches that engaged and supported students, addressing low success rates and poor student retention among a diverse group of allied health students.

In her role as the Graduate Diploma of Surgical Anatomy program coordinator at JCU, Monika played a crucial role in shaping this specialized curriculum. This program has elevated JCU's medical offerings by introducing a post-graduate course that delivers advanced, clinically relevant anatomy education to medical graduates in the tropics.

Since 2018 Monika has been the coordinator of the year 2 MBBS program. Monika’s role involves guiding and providing leadership to academic staff who coordinate the modules and she collaborates with a diverse group of other academic, clinicians, and administrative staff to oversee curriculum development, assessment, and providing essential pastoral care to students, ensuring their holistic growth. She also actively contributes to the Foundation Sciences Committee and assessment committees, which oversee all facets of the preclinical medical program and assumes the responsibility of supervising assessment processes across the College, respectively.

For more than a decade, Monika was an active member of the International Australian and New Zealand Association of Clinical Anatomists (ANZACA) committee. This committee oversees and supports anatomical research and education. Her involvement has extended to leadership roles, including a four-year tenure as Vice President. In 2018, Monika organized and ran the 15th ANZACA Conference at JCU. This event significantly elevated JCU's standing as a premier institution for medical excellence. The conference facilitated interactions between students and experts in the clinical anatomy field, encouraging collaboration, knowledge dissemination, and advancements in anatomical education and research throughout Australasia.

Monika’s research has yielded an H-index of 20, underscoring the substantial influence of the high-caliber research gathered in the academic sphere. Monika has presented her academic work in more than 70 research publications through peer-reviewed scientific journals, peer-reviewed conference proceedings, invited presentations, and abstracts. During her career, Monika has supervised and mentored 5 honours research students, examined numerous honours theses, and reviewed manuscripts for a number of national and international anatomy, educational, and nephrology journals.

Teaching

AT3000: Advanced Anatomy by Dissection - Medicine (Level 3; TSV)
AT3001: Advanced Anatomy by Dissection (Level 3; TSV)
AT8302: Surgical Anatomy of the Trunk and Lower Limbs (Level 8; TSV)
BM1004: Anatomy and Physiology 2 (Level 1; TSV)
MD2012: Integrated Human System Pathophysiology Part 2 of 2 (Level 2; TSV)
MD6010: Advanced Clinical Medicine Part 1 of 3 (Level 6; TSV)
MD6020: Advanced Clinical Medicine Part 2 of 3 (Level 6; TSV)
MD6030: Advanced Clinical Medicine Part 3 of 3 (Level 6; TSV)

Interests

Professional

In my role as the year 2 MBBS program coordinator, I enjoy the interaction with colleagues and students. I like the challenges that it brings; ongoing curriculum development, alignment with the overarching educational objectives, and managing assessments. A big part of this role involves engaging with the committees that underpin the program, including the Foundation Sciences & Assessment Committees.
I have had a long association with the Australian and New Zealand Association of Clinical Anatomists (ANZACA) committee, providing leadership on the executive committee as the vice president, and a highlight, in 2018, I successfully organised the 15th Annual ANZACA Conference at JCU.

Research

My research in the last 5 years has yielded an H-index of 20, which is a remarkable testament to the significant impact of my (and my colleagues') scholarly contributions gathered within the academic space. The most recent manuscript is most exciting, it highlights the importance of developing assessments that are transparent, relevant, fair, and meaningful, and the importance of timely feedback provided to students on completion, to allow improvement. This manuscript has attracted considerable interest, amassing 84 citations since its publication in 2020.
Previous research focussed on introducing new instructional techniques; incorporating face-to-face interactions, an innovative flipped classroom model and student-centred learning strategies to increase student engagement and improve student outcomes. This adaptable pedagogical approach eased content delivery across various disciplines, accommodating diverse learning preferences and fostering an engaging and dynamic educational journey.
Excitingly, I have been involved in research that has led to a patent and also a U.S. Government policy document!

Teaching

I developed the Graduate Diploma of Surgical Anatomy program in 2015, which has been a highlight of my academic career. I am one of the course coordinators for the Graduate Diploma of Surgical Anatomy program and I assumed a pivotal position in designing this specialized course. This program has increased JCU medicine's profile to now provide a post-graduate course that offers advanced learning opportunities in clinically relevant anatomy to medical graduates in the tropics. So far 81 students have graduated from this postgraduate offering and still have a 100% satisfaction rate from participants.
In 2018, I was awarded a JCU citation for my exceptional contributions to student learning "For implementing novel approaches to engage and support student learning in a first year Anatomy and Physiology subject. This prestigious recognition was presented for my innovative endeavours in enhancing student outcomes within a first-year Anatomy and Physiology subject. I continue to foster a dynamic and inclusive learning environment, for my students while aligning with the JCU's mission to prioritize student success and growth.

Experience

2015 to 2023 - Course Coordinator: Graduate Diploma of Surgical Anatomy,, James Cook University (Townsville, Australia)
2011 to 2023 - Associate Professor, James Cook University (Townsville, Australia)
2007 to 2010 - Lecturer, Monash University (Melbourne, Australia)
2005 to 2010 - Postdoctoral Fellow, Monash University (Melbourne, Australia)
2007 to 2008 - Graduate Certificate in Health Professional Education, Monash University (Melbourne, Australia)
2004 to 2006 - Assistant Lecturer & Postdoctoral Researcher, Monash University (Melbourne, Australia)
2000 to 2004 - PhD, Monash University (Melbourne, Australia)

Research Disciplines

Honours

Awards

2018 - JCU citation for Outstanding Contributions to student learning in 2018 entitled “For implementing novel approaches to engage and support student learning in a first year Anatomy and Physiology subject” acknowledging my commitment to student success.

Memberships

Australian and New Zealand Association of Clinical Anatomists membership is ongoing, committee member for >15 years and vice president for 4 years, demonstrating my extensive involvement in this international society, serving my discipline.
Higher Education, Research, Development Society of Australasia (HERDSA)

Other

2016 to 2020 - The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) accredited the Graduate Diploma of Surgical Anatomy program, which I played a key role in establishing at JCU.
2007 to 2008 - Completed the Graduate Certificate for Health Professional Education (Monash University)
2000 to 2004 - PhD; Thesis entitled: The Effects of Maternal Protein Restriction on Nephron Endowment, Blood Pressure and the Etiology of Renal Disease
1993 to 1999 - BSc (Hons) Bachelor of Science, Anatomy and Physiology Majors (Honours)

Publications

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles