Our Faculty and Staff

Dr. Olga Avilova is an Assistant Professor of Medical Education at the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Medicine, NSU, since January 2025. A Pathologist and Anatomy Educator with over 12 years of global experience in anatomy, clinical anatomy, and pathology, she has dedicated her career to advancing medical education through innovative approaches.

Before joining NSU, Dr. Avilova served as the Director of Anatomy at Queen Mary University of London (UK), where she introduced a groundbreaking remediation course utilizing cutting-edge 3D technologies. She has also held the position of Visiting Academic at Paris Saclay University (France), where she led an elective dissection course for both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Dr. Avilova earned her medical degree and PhD in Human Anatomy from Kharkiv National Medical University in Ukraine, where she worked for nearly a decade. As an Assistant Professor, she was at the forefront of integrating 3D technologies and virtual reality (VR) into anatomy education on a national scale. She is also proud to serve as an Honorary Member of the 3DOrganon Scientific Advisory Board, the only anatomist from Ukraine to hold this prestigious position, contributing to the global advancement of anatomy education.

Dr. Avilova’s career progression also includes serving as the Head of the Center for Simulation Training and Assessment at Kyiv Medical University, where she developed transformative anatomy workshops to support medical education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her leadership extended to her role as Vice Dean of the International Faculty at Kharkiv National Medical University, where she ensured the continuity and accessibility of online education during the war in Ukraine by adapting the curriculum during challenging circumstances.

Her PhD research focused on the morphofunctional characteristics of the thymus and spleen under the influence of xenobiotics. Dr. Avilova’s research interests encompass experimental medicine, toxicology, embalming techniques, anatomical variation, teaching innovations, and the application of VR in anatomy education. She is also an Editorial Board Member for prestigious international anatomy journals, with a particular focus on anatomical variation.

Renowned for her expertise in dissection, Dr. Avilova pioneered new embalming and restoration techniques for macro specimens, earning a patent (2024). Her contributions to anatomical preservation led to the creation of a multifunctional research device for morphologists, which won the "Best Invention in Medicine" award (2021). She has a profound background in scientific activity and received the "Academic Excellence Award" at the Cleveland Clinic Seminar in Pathology (2019). Dr. Avilova’s contributions to anatomy education have been widely acknowledged, with features in the IFAA (International Federation of Associations of Anatomists) Plexus newsletter in 2020, 2021, and 2024, further solidifying her role as a global ambassador for progressive anatomy education.