The Virtual Microscopy Database (VMD) is a collaborative educational initiative dedicated to advancing histology and anatomical sciences education by expanding access to high-quality digital microscopy resources. Established in 2017 through the collaborative efforts of histology educators affiliated with the American Association for Anatomy (AAA) and its Digital Histology Interest Group, the VMD was created in response to the growing adoption of virtual microscopy in education and research. Recognizing that many institutions lacked access to high-quality histological glass slides, specialized scanning equipment, or comprehensive digital slide collections, the initiative sought to overcome these barriers by establishing a centralized platform for sharing virtual microscopy resources.
Made possible through initial funding from an AAA Innovation Grant, the VMD provides a collaborative platform for contributing, accessing, and exchanging high-resolution digital microscopy images. By facilitating resource sharing across institutions and geographical boundaries, the VMD supports innovative teaching practices, promotes educational equity, and encourages collaboration within the anatomical sciences community.
Our mission is to advance histology and anatomical sciences education by promoting equitable access to high-quality virtual microscopy resources and fostering a global community committed to collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing. Through its growing collection of digital microscopy resources, the VMD aims to:
Expand educational access: Reduce technological and financial barriers to high-quality digital microscopy resources.
Enhance teaching and learning: Support interactive, flexible, and engaging approaches to histology and microscopic anatomy education.
Foster global collaboration: Encourage educators and researchers to contribute, share, and exchange virtual microscopy resources.
Promote educational innovation: Support the integration of digital microscopy into evolving teaching methodologies and research initiatives.
Ensure sustainability: Preserve, maintain, and expand this collaborative educational resource for future generations.
As virtual microscopy continues to transform anatomical sciences education, the VMD remains committed to expanding its educational reach, strengthening collaborative partnerships, and enhancing the accessibility and diversity of its digital collections.
Our vision is to connect educators, institutions, and resources across geographical and institutional boundaries, making high-quality virtual microscopy an accessible and integral component of anatomical sciences education worldwide.
Discover the origins and development of the Virtual Microscopy Database in our foundational publication:
Lee, L. M. J., Goldman, H. M., & Hortsch, M. (2018). The virtual microscopy database: Sharing digital microscope images for research and education. Anatomical Sciences Education, 11(5), 510–515. https://doi.org/10.1002/ase.1774
Building upon the foundation established by the founding administrators, the current VMD Administrative Team is dedicated to maintaining, enhancing, and expanding this valuable educational resource. Our team works collaboratively to support contributors and users, promote accessibility to high-quality virtual microscopy materials, and explore new opportunities for innovation and collaboration in anatomical sciences education.
BRITTNEY TATCHELL, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Rochester’s School of Medicine and Dentistry. She earned her M.A. in Biological Anthropology from Binghamton University and her Ph.D. in Anatomy Education from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. She currently teaches gross anatomy, histology, osteology, and neuroanatomy content to medical and graduate students. Her research focuses on improving the quality of anatomy education through computer modeling, 3D printing, and development of kinesthetic learning activities.
JAILENNE I. QUIÑONES-RODRÍGUEZ, Ph.D., M.A., is an Assistant Professor of Anatomical Sciences at Sam Houston State University Russell and Glenda Gordy College of Osteopathic Medicine. She teaches clinical anatomy, histology, and embryology to medical students and has served as Clinical Anatomy Course Director for multiple years. Her scholarly work focuses on anatomical sciences education, population-based cadaveric research, and integrating emerging technologies, including virtual reality and 3D-printed models, into medical education. Her contributions to research, education, and academic service have been recognized through multiple awards and honors. She is passionate about making anatomical education more accessible, engaging, and clinically relevant while mentoring future healthcare professionals, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, and advancing innovative approaches to teaching and learning.
LONNIE LYBARGER, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine within the College of Medicine at the University of Arizona in Tucson. He teaches histology, cell biology, and immunology to undergraduates, graduate students, and medical students. He serves as the Director of the department’s Master of Science program and as Discipline Director for Histology and Cell Biology, overseeing the integration of this content throughout the medical curriculum. He is passionate about histology education and helping others appreciate, learn, and apply histology in their own career paths. He also enjoys connecting with and learning from his colleagues and each new generation of students.
TRAVIS L. McCUMBER, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Anatomy at the University of Nebraska Medical Center - College of Medicine. He teaches anatomy and histology to medical, physician assistant, and graduate students. Dr. McCumber serves as the Co-Director of the UNMC Master of Medical Anatomy Program, participates in all Phase 1 Blocks of the medical student curriculum, and co-directs the Structure and Development of the Human Body course for physician assistant students. His educational scholarship includes curricular development and assessment, with a specific interest in dynamic small-group and laboratory activities in relation to student learning and retention.
The Virtual Microscopy Database (VMD) was established through the vision, dedication, and collaborative efforts of its founding administrators, Drs. Haviva M. Goldman, Michael Hortsch, and Lisa M. J. Lee. Their leadership and commitment to advancing histology education laid the foundation for this collaborative educational resource. We gratefully acknowledge their invaluable contributions to the VMD's development, growth, and ongoing impact on anatomical sciences education.
HAVIVA M. GOLDMAN, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy at the Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA. She is the Course Director for Medical Microanatomy at Drexel University College of Medicine and also teaches extensively in Gross Anatomy. She has received numerous teaching awards, including the 2013 Basic Science Educator Award and the 2014 Lindback Award. She has developed numerous web-based microanatomy resources and in-class active learning exercises for students using virtual microscope images. She also maintains an active lab with a focus on bone biology, utilizing histological, imaging and mechanical methods to examine structure-function relationships in bone during growth and with aging.
MICHAEL HORTSCH, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Departments of Cell and Developmental Biology and of Learning Health Sciences at the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Since 1991, he has taught medical and dental histology at the University of Michigan. He currently serves as the component director for both dental and medical histology and as the course director of an undergraduate and graduate histology course at the University of Michigan. He received the 2012 Kaiser Permanente Award for Excellence in Pre-clinical Teaching from the University of Michigan Medical School and the 2013 University of Michigan Provost’s Teaching Innovation Prize for his SecondLook™ series of mobile review applications. He is a Fellow of the American Association for Anatomy and received its 2023 Henry Gray Distinguished Educator Award. His interests include developing innovative electronic teaching tools, such as mobile learning applications, eBooks, and educational websites, and researching the impact of these resources on student learning.
LISA M.J. LEE, Ph.D., PA(ASCP)CM, is a Professor in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Aurora, Colorado. Dr. Lee teaches histology, embryology, and gross anatomy to medical and dental students and serves as the course director of both histology and embryology offered to graduate students in the Modern Human Anatomy Program. She is a recipient of the 2015 Chancellor’s Teaching Recognition Award from the University of Colorado School of Medicine and the 2010 Excellence in Teaching Award from the Ohio State University School of Medicine. Dr. Lee’s overarching professional goals are to make anatomical sciences education impactful, accessible, and long-lasting. To that end, her research and scholarly endeavors focus on human-computer interaction in digital learning environments, evidence-based digital resource development, and training the next generation of anatomical scientists and educators.
Founded in 1888 in Washington, D.C., under the leadership of renowned anatomist Joseph Leidy, the American Association for Anatomy (AAA) is a leading international scientific organization dedicated to advancing anatomical sciences through research, education, and professional development.
AAA serves as a professional home for a global community of educators, researchers, and students committed to understanding the structural foundations of health and disease. Through scientific publications, educational initiatives, professional development opportunities, and collaborative partnerships, the Association promotes scientific discovery, educational excellence, and innovation in the anatomical sciences.
Mission: Advancing anatomical sciences through research, education, and professional development.
Vision: Inspiring curiosity, discovery, and innovation.
As a nonprofit scientific organization, AAA is also a member of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB), a coalition of scientific societies advocating for the advancement of biological and biomedical research, education, and science policy.
Anatomical Sciences Education (ASE) is a leading international, peer-reviewed journal dedicated to advancing teaching, learning, and educational scholarship in the anatomical sciences. As an official journal of the American Association for Anatomy (AAA), ASE provides a platform for sharing evidence-based educational research, innovative teaching approaches, and best practices across gross anatomy, histology, embryology, neuroscience, and related disciplines.
Serving educators and researchers across undergraduate, graduate, medical, and allied health programs, ASE fosters collaboration and continuous improvement in anatomical sciences education.
With an international presence and an extensive distribution network, MBF Bioscience develops advanced imaging and analysis solutions used by researchers worldwide. Its flagship products, Stereo Investigator and Neurolucida, are widely recognized for their applications in stereology, neuronal reconstruction, and quantitative microscopy. Through its commitment to technological innovation, scientific accuracy, and specialized customer support, MBF Bioscience continues to contribute to advancements in microscopy-based research and education.
The Buonacorsi Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit LLC created to support projects in the arts, sciences, and technology that promise to provide a long-lasting positive impact on the human condition. The foundation was created by a group of descendants of the noble Buonacorsi di Pistoia family, originating from the Tuscany region of Italy. The name Buonacorsi derives from buona = good, and corso = course, path, or stream. The family name can be traced to Buonacorso Pitti di Semifonte, whose grandson, Buonacorso di Baronto, was one of Pistoia's elders in 1377.