Monika Zimanyi

A/Prof. Monika Zimanyi boasts extensive experience as a senior anatomist, with a career spanning over two decades. She has expertly guided both undergraduate and postgraduate students in human gross anatomy across a range of health science programs. Her expertise encompasses histology, neuroanatomy, embryology, and clinically applied gross anatomy. She has effectively taught diverse audiences, from sizable first-year undergraduate classes to specialized, smaller postgraduate groups. Monika adeptly employs a diverse range of instructional techniques, incorporating digital platforms, face-to-face interactions, the innovative flipped classroom model, and student-centered learning strategies. This adaptable pedagogical approach facilitates comprehensive content delivery across various disciplines, accommodating diverse learning preferences and fostering an engaging and dynamic educational journey.

In 2018, Monika received a JCU citation for Outstanding Contributions to student learning. The citation acknowledged her teaching excellence in revitalizing the first-year Anatomy and Physiology subject. This was achieved through innovative approaches that engaged and supported students, addressing low success rates and poor student retention among a diverse group of allied health students.

In her role as the Graduate Diploma of Surgical Anatomy program coordinator at JCU, Monika played a crucial role in shaping this specialized curriculum. This program has elevated JCU's medical offerings by introducing a post-graduate course that delivers advanced, clinically relevant anatomy education to medical graduates in the tropics.

Since 2018 Monika has been the coordinator of the year 2 MBBS program. Monika’s role involves guiding and providing leadership to academic staff who coordinate the modules and she collaborates with a diverse group of other academic, clinicians, and administrative staff to oversee curriculum development, assessment, and providing essential pastoral care to students, ensuring their holistic growth. She also actively contributes to the Foundation Sciences Committee and assessment committees, which oversee all facets of the preclinical medical program and assumes the responsibility of supervising assessment processes across the College, respectively.

For more than a decade, Monika was an active member of the International Australian and New Zealand Association of Clinical Anatomists (ANZACA) committee. This committee oversees and supports anatomical research and education. Her involvement has extended to leadership roles, including a four-year tenure as Vice President. In 2018, Monika organized and ran the 15th ANZACA Conference at JCU. This event significantly elevated JCU's standing as a premier institution for medical excellence. The conference facilitated interactions between students and experts in the clinical anatomy field, encouraging collaboration, knowledge dissemination, and advancements in anatomical education and research throughout Australasia.

Monika’s research has yielded an H-index of 20, underscoring the substantial influence of the high-caliber research gathered in the academic sphere. Monika has presented her academic work in more than 70 research publications through peer-reviewed scientific journals, peer-reviewed conference proceedings, invited presentations, and abstracts. During her career, Monika has supervised and mentored 5 honours research students, examined numerous honours theses, and reviewed manuscripts for a number of national and international anatomy, educational, and nephrology journals.