Awards and Programs

Awards

The American Association for Anatomy’s awards program is one of the broadest in the industry. The members-only program bestows hundreds of thousands of dollars in awards, research grants and scholarships each year.

Details & Deadlines

Travel Awards

Anatomy Scholars Program

The purpose of the Anatomy Scholars Program (ASP) is to support early-stage faculty and [senior level students, residents or fellows who aim to become faculty] who have or are facing hardships or barriers in academia, particularly in anatomy and related fields.

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Meet the alumni

Fellows

The rank of Fellow of the American Association for Anatomy (FAAA) is designed to honor distinguished members who have demonstrated excellence in science and in their overall contributions to the anatomical sciences.

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List of Fellows

Global Neuroanatomy Network

The Global Neuroanatomy Network (GNN) is an online community of practice and resource repository for neuroanatomy educators worldwide

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Virtual Dissection Database

The Virtual Dissection Database (VDD) is a digital library of dissection videos and cadaveric images, as well as surface anatomy and clinical resources, to assist in teaching the anatomical sciences.

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Virtual Microscopy Database

The Virtual Microscopy Database (VMD) is a centralized repository where a community of anatomy and histology scholars and researchers can share a large selection of virtual tissue slides for enhancing education, research, and scholarship.

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Kim Topp, Shaun Logan, and Sharon Newport presenting to a room

Rebecca Hartley, Heather Smith, Loydie Jerome-Majewska, and Lisa Taneyhill holding their awards

Leadership

Volunteer leaders, invested in the future of the association and the anatomical sciences, are the backbone of AAA.

A 14-person Board of Directors is chosen by the membership, with elections occurring each January.
Standing and ad hoc committees take on specific roles and tasks to advance those initiatives. All Board and committee members are volunteer leaders serving varying terms. Learn about all the opportunities to get involved with the Association, contribute to advancing the anatomical sciences, and expand your leadership skills.

Meet the Board of Directors

Year In Review

Each spring since 2014, AAA has published an annual impact report, or “Year in Review,” documenting the previous year’s accomplishments through the efforts of our members. Check out our latest YIR or download any previous year.

Advocacy

By advocating for (or against) legislative policy, the Association works to protect and preserve the interests of members.

Communicating with policymakers is a key part of the strategic plan. Leadership and staff work regularly work with members and colleagues to effectively represent the profession through engagement with legislators, media, and the public. Whether crafting messages for print or meeting face-to-face with lawmakers on Capitol Hill, AAA works to ensure that members are equipped with messages that resonate.

What is Anatomy?

Anatomy is the study of the structure of living things – animal, human, plant – from microscopic
cells and molecules to whole organisms as large as whales.

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Governance

The following documents guide our leadership, operations, and membership.

Staff

AAA's day-to-day operations are supported by a professional staff.

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301-634-7910
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CFAS

AAA is a member of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Council of Faculty and Academic Societies (CFAS), the mechanism through which the faculty of medical colleges participates in AAMC governance.

Representatives:
Kenneth Kramer, Creighton University
Homaira Azim, Drexel University College of Medicine

Committees

Standing (indicated below by *) and ad hoc committees give members the opportunity to take a deeper dive into specific areas of interest. Standing committees are required per the organization's bylaws. Committee chairs report directly to the Board of Directors, ensuring that the committee's goals and objectives are in tune with the organization's strategic plan.

FASEB

As an organizational member of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB), AAA is also part of a coalition of independent societies that play an active role in advocating for the interests of biomedical and life scientists to Congress and other scientific bodies.

Board of Directors: David M. Ornitz, Washington University (2024-2028)

DataWorks! Advisory Committee: Parker Antin, University of Arizona - Tucson (2021-2025)

Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion Committee: Theo Smith, Touro University California (2023-2026)

Excellence in Science Award Committee: Tina Tootle, University of Iowa (2019-2025)

Vice President-Elect for Science Policy Committee: Joseph Yost, University of Utah (2019-2025)

Membership in AAA connects you with opportunities to:

Advance Your Career

Find your next position in the AAA Career Center

Apply for competitive grants, scholarships, and awards that support you throughout your career

Build relationships with a mentor who can help guide you to the next step in your career

Access Exclusive Content

Stay up to date on public policy, career advice, member highlights, and more with our monthly e-newsletter

Discover new research with access to one of our monthly scientific journals: The Anatomical Record or Developmental Dynamics

Learn what's working in pedagogy with access to our bi-monthly journal, Anatomical Sciences Education

Grow Your Network

Share your research and find new collaborators by publishing in AAA's three journals

Participate in our online community, Anatomy Network, where you'll share approaches to teaching, compare research techniques, and find solutions to common problems

Volunteer to serve on committees, task forces, and micro opportunities while honing your leadership skills and meeting new professionals

Expand Your Knowledge

Experience high-quality education and scientific sessions and receive members-only pricing for meetings

Boost your scientific knowledge through webinars that address gaps in graduate education and research training

Upcoming
Events

Call for Proposals - Anatomy Connected 2027

August 3, 2026 | Call for Proposals

Awards

Anatomy Scholars Program

Fellows

Global Neuroanatomy Network

Virtual Dissection Database

Virtual Microscopy Database

Leadership

Year In Review

Advocacy

What is Anatomy?

Governance

Staff

CFAS

Committees

FASEB

Membership in AAA connects you with opportunities to:

Advance Your Career

Access Exclusive Content

Grow Your Network

Expand Your Knowledge

Upcoming
Events

Call for Proposals - Anatomy Connected 2027

HEADQUARTERS

QUICK LINKS

CONTACT AAA

Awards

Anatomy Scholars Program

Fellows

Global Neuroanatomy Network

Virtual Dissection Database

Virtual Microscopy Database

Leadership

Year In Review

Advocacy

What is Anatomy?

Governance

Staff

CFAS

Committees

FASEB

Membership in AAA connects you with opportunities to:

Advance Your Career

Access Exclusive Content

Grow Your Network

Expand Your Knowledge

Upcoming Events

Call for Proposals - Anatomy Connected 2027

FOLLOW AAA

Upcoming
Events