Dr James White BSc, PhD

Dr James White

Department of Biomedical Sciences
Teaching Fellow in Anatomy

Contact details

Address
Department of Biomedical Sciences
Birmingham Medical School
ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TT
UK

James is a Teaching Fellow in Anatomy at the Human Anatomy Unit within the Department of Biomedical Sciences. He is involved in the teaching of anatomy across programmes including Medicine, Biomedical Sciences, Pharmacy and Clinical Anatomy.

Qualifications

  • PhD Molecular Biology, University College Dublin, Ireland, 2024
  • BSc (Hons) Anatomy, University of Galway, Ireland, 2018

Biography

James White qualified with a BSc (Hons) in General Sciences specialising in Human Anatomy from the University of Galway, Ireland in 2018. He then completed a PhD in Molecular Biology at University College Dublin, Ireland in 2023. His doctoral research focussed on investigating the proteome of adipose tissue in preclinical models of obesity and following weight loss in bariatric surgery patients. Alongside his PhD research, James worked as an Anatomy Demonstrator at the School of Medicine, and has also contributed to teaching in veterinary anatomy and human physiology at University College Dublin.

Since joining the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø in 2023, James has developed an extensive teaching portfolio across a range of programmes, delivering teaching through lectures, prosection- and dissection-based sessions, and small-group teaching. He is the Component Lead for Year 1 MBChB component, Muscles Joints and Movements. He is also responsible for the teaching of anatomy across all years of the Pharmacy programme.

In 2025 James was appointed Programme Director for the Intercalated Master’s in Clinical Anatomy. In this role, he oversees the delivery of this course which offers intercalating medical students extensive dissection experience and opportunities to engage in clinical research alongside consultants. Within this programme, he teaches research skills and leads a journal club.

James has a strong interest in evidence-based teaching and stays informed about developments in teaching theory and technologies. He is currently undertaking a postgraduate certificate in higher education and is projected to complete this in Spring 2026. He is also an active member of the Anatomical Society, serving on the Website, Media and Communications Committee.

James is increasingly involved in pedagogical research and has supervised several undergraduate Biomedical Sciences projects. He is particularly interested in the use of 3D printing to create low-cost anatomical models that can be tailored to the learning outcomes of specific modules. He is exploring the use of 3D printing in representing rare pathologies and structures which students have difficulty visualising through use of 3D printing. James has developed 3D printed models of skull bones, the brain’s arterial supply, ventricular system and hydrocephalus pathologies for the Human Anatomy Unit at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø. Additionally, James is exploring the utilisation of generative artificial intelligence in creating user interfaces for interactive student anatomy quizzes to aid student learning and knowledge retention in anatomy.

Teaching

James teaches across a wide range of programmes, and has particular expertise in gastrointestinal anatomy and musculoskeletal anatomy.

He contributes to the following programmes:

  • Intercalated MSc in Clinical Anatomy (Programme Director and Research Project Module Lead)
  • Medicine and Surgery MBChB (Component lead for Year 1 F2 Muscles, Joints and Movement)
  • Pharmacy MPharm (Anatomy Lead)
  • Biomedical Sciences (Principles of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Sciences Anatomy Lead)

Research

  • Use and perceptions of generative artificial intelligence in anatomy education.
  • Integration of 3D printed models of anatomical structures into small-group teaching.
  • Proteomic profile of adipose tissue with bariatric-associated weight loss.