Overview
Background
Dr. Awais Saleem Babri is a dedicated educator and researcher in biomedical sciences, specializing in innovative anatomy education, curriculum development, and technology-enhanced learning. With over two decades of experience at The University of Queensland, his work focuses on integrating virtual reality (VR), digital repositories, and evidence-based pedagogies to transform medical and health professions education.
Key Contributions:
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Teaching Excellence: Led curriculum reviews and course coordination for programs in medicine, nursing, and paramedicine, enhancing clinical integration and student engagement. Recognized with multiple awards, including the UQ Citation for Excellence in Teaching (2009) and nominations for national teaching honors.
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Research Leadership: Secured over $105K in grants to pioneer VR classrooms and image repositories, improving accessibility and outcomes in anatomy education. Presented at 15+ international conferences, including IFAA and ANZAHPE, with pending publications on VR and ward-round pedagogy.
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Supervision & Mentorship: Guided honours and summer research students, with projects on surgical simulation and ward-round pedagogy earning scholarships and conference presentations (e.g., ANZACA 2024, ANZAHPE 2025).
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Leadership & Service: Founded the Gross Anatomy Evaluations Network (GAEN), uniting 28 universities to standardize assessments. Served as ANZACA Vice President (2025–present) and contributed to committees (UQ HREC, ANZAHPE DEI).
Dr. Babri’s work bridges cutting-edge technology and pedagogical innovation, making him a sought-after collaborator in health professions education. For details on projects or partnerships, contact a.babri@uq.edu.au.
Availability
- Dr Awais Babri is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery and Medical Science, University of the Punjab
- Postgraduate Diploma, The University of Queensland
- Graduate Certificate, The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Healthcare professionals' education
Curriculum design and pedagogical strategies for medical, nursing, and allied health programs Inter-professional education and collaborative learning models Simulation-based clinical education and skill acquisition Science of university learning
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Role of technology such as VR in biomedical science education (anatomy, physiology, pathology and pathophysiology)
Innovative teaching methodologies VR in gross anatomy and physiology Assessment and evaluation of anatomical knowledge in clinical contexts Strategies to enhance student participation and feedback-driven teaching Imaging of organs using MRI to develop image repositories Assessment and evaluation of anatomical knowledge in clinical contexts Accessibility and inclusion in digital education for diverse student populations (development of imaging databases)
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Small to medium group teaching
Use of mixed-methods approaches to evaluate teaching practices Qualitative research on student learning experiences and feedback
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Curriculum and assessment design and development
Design and impact of authentic assessments in clinical education Integration of virtual surgical skills and patient-based scenarios in teaching
Research impacts
My research transforms how anatomy and clinical skills are taught by leveraging technology and innovative teaching methods. Below are key examples of how my work has created real-world impact:
1. Advancing Anatomy Education Through Technology
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Virtual Reality (VR) Classrooms: Developed VR tools to enhance student engagement in anatomy education, supported by $8.5K in grants. Early results show improved learning outcomes, particularly for students who struggle with traditional methods.
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High-Resolution Image Repositories: Created a digital library of cadaveric scans (funded by $55.3K) to make anatomy education more accessible. This resource is now used by multiple universities across Australasia.
2. Improving Teaching Practices & Student Success
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Led 7 research projects (total $36K in grants) to evaluate and refine anatomy assessments, ensuring they are fair, inclusive, and effective.
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Findings from these studies have been adopted by the Gross Anatomy Evaluations Network (GAEN), a coalition of 28 universities working to standardize anatomy education.
3. National & International Recognition
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Presented research at 15+ conferences, including the International Federation of Associations of Anatomists (IFAA) and ANZAHPE, influencing educators worldwide.
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Awarded $5K in travel grants to share best practices in New Zealand and South Korea, strengthening global collaborations.
4. Supporting the Next Generation of Researchers
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Supervised students whose work on surgical simulation and ward-round teaching methods earned scholarships and conference presentations.
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One honours student received an ANZACA Travel Grant ($800) to present findings on improving clinical training.
Why This Matters
My research doesn’t just stay in the lab—it directly improves how students learn, making medical education more engaging, equitable, and effective. By blending technology with proven teaching strategies, I’m helping shape the future of healthcare training.
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Awais Babri is:
- Available for supervision
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Media
Enquiries
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