Department Overview
The Department of Anatomy is situated on the 1st floor of the Symbiosis Medical College for Women on the picturesque Lavale Hill-base Campus. The department contributes actively in the fields of education, research and service. The department is equipped to educate the National and International Medical students in all branches of Anatomy and their applied aspects.
Vision
- To be a center of excellence in anatomical sciences that inspires learning, innovation, and research—building a strong foundation for clinical practice, medical education, and lifelong professional growth
Mission
- To impart comprehensive knowledge of human anatomy through innovative, student-centered, and competency-based teaching.
- To promote ethical dissection practices, respect for body donation, and compassionate professionalism.
- To foster interdisciplinary and translational research in anatomical, clinical, and educational domains.
- To integrate modern technologies such as digital, radiological, and virtual anatomy into teaching and research.
- To contribute to community health awareness through outreach, body donation programs, and collaborative initiatives.
- To nurture curiosity, critical thinking, and a spirit of scientific inquiry among students and faculty.
HOD Profile
Dr. Mandar Ambike
MBBS, MS (Anatomy)
Experience
Dr. Mandar Ambike has over 30 years of teaching experience in Anatomy at universities in India and abroad. He has taught undergraduate students in MBBS, BDS, BPT, Nursing, and Allied Health Sciences programs and has also guided postgraduate students in their thesis research.
A dedicated and passionate educator, Dr. Ambike is widely admired for his engaging lectures in Gross Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology. His teaching style emphasizes conceptual clarity and foundational understanding, ensuring that students develop a strong grasp of anatomical sciences. Known for his reliability, inspiration, and approachability, he remains one of the most respected and popular faculty members among students.
Awards and Achievements
Gulf Medical University, Ajman, UAE:' and 'Most Inspiring Faculty'.
- Excellence in Teaching Award
- Most Inspiring Faculty Award
- At Symbiosis Medical College for Women – Symbiosis International University: Hall of Fame award – Excellence in Teaching
Memberships
- Life Member, Research Society, B.J. Medical College
- Life Member, Indian Medical Association (IMA)
- Life Member, Anatomical Society of India (ASI)
- Life Member, Regional Chapter of Anatomy (Maharashtra)
- Life Member, Society of Clinical Anatomy (SOCA)
Research Interests & Publications
Dr. Ambike’s primary research interest lies in medical education, with a focus on curriculum development for undergraduate medical training.
He has published over 17 research articles in reputed national and international journals.
Outreach Activities
An active member of the Rotary Club of Pune South, Dr. Ambike contributes significantly to community health and development initiatives, particularly for underprivileged populations. His major outreach activities include:
- Pulse Polio Immunization Drives
- “Happy Village” Development Program
- Skill Development Initiatives in Rural Areas
- Establishment of Dialysis Centre at Various Hospitals
- Establishment of AICU for Children in Hospitals
Infrastructure Facilities
The department has a Dissection hall provided with sufficient cadavers for dissection. It is equipped with traditional as well as innovative and modern teaching aids. Skeletons (articulated as well as disarticulated) and display of radiology plates are available for clinical correlation by the students.
Symbiosis in its effort to provide latest teaching material to students will be conducting part of Anatomy teaching on “Anatomage” which is a virtual dissection table, an innovative and cutting-edge teaching learning technology. This will be used for teaching as well as for taking examinations.
The department has a well-equipped, well lit histology laboratory with high quality microscopes and slides of International standards. The state-of-art Anatomy museum has been divided into specialized sections such as gross anatomy, sectional anatomy, osteology, embryology and radiology. The museum is also provided with computers with internet facility to help in further studies by students who are observing the exhibits.
The department has a library with books covering regular undergraduate teaching as well as higher studies and research in various related fields.
Dissection Hall
Embalming Room
Histology Lab
Anatomy Museum
Library
Demo Room 1 & 2
Research Lab
Locker Room
Non-Teaching Room
Meet Our Faculty
Dr. Mandar Ambike
MBBS, MS (Anatomy)
Professor & HOD
mandar.ambike@krcmc.edu.in
Dr. Supriya Methe Patil
MBBS, MD, DNB (Anatomy)
Professor
supriya.methepatil@smcw.siu.edu.in
Dr. Arun Prasad VK
BHMS, M.Sc (Med. Anatomy)
Assistant Professor
arunprasad@smcw.siu.edu.in
Dr. K Vijay Kumar
BPT, MSc, PhD (Med. Anatomy)
Associate Professor
k.vijayakumar@smcw.siu.edu.in
Col(Dr.) Madura Ramaswamy Arun Iyengar (Retd)
MBBS, PGDMLS
Tutor
arun.iyengar@smcw.siu.edu.in
Research Publications
All the faculty members are regularly involved in research and have a total of 83 publications to their credit in various National and International journals.
Academic & Educational Services
Undergraduate and Postgraduate Teaching
- Comprehensive teaching in Gross Anatomy, Histology, Embryology, and Neuroanatomy.
- Practical dissection sessions, museum demonstrations, and radiological anatomy correlation.
Curriculum Development & Implementation
- Designing competency-based anatomy curricula aligned with NMC or international guidelines.
Faculty Development Programs (FDPs)
- Training educators in modern anatomy teaching methodologies, CBME, and assessment strategies.
- Workshops on digital anatomy tools, 3D learning, and effective pedagogical techniques.
Skill-Based Learning Modules
- Conducting hands-on dissection and surgical anatomy workshops for residents and clinicians.
- Anatomy refresher courses for allied health professionals.
Research & Innovation Services
Anatomical Research Support
- Providing cadaveric material, morphometric data, and histological expertise for interdisciplinary research.
- Collaborations in medical education research, anatomical variations, and clinical anatomy studies.
Histology & Morphometry Services
- Preparation and interpretation of histological sections for research or training.
- Image analysis, morphometric, and histopathological correlation studies.
Plastination & Specimen Preservation Services
- Creating high-quality plastinated specimens for educational and museum use.
- Supplying plastinated models to other institutions or educational exhibitions.
Curriculum Research and Development
- Designing and evaluating innovative teaching-learning methods in anatomy.
- Publishing educational research and participating in global academic collaborations.
Clinical & Surgical Support Services
Cadaveric Dissection Workshops for Surgeons
- Training programs for postgraduate surgeons (orthopedics, ENT, neurosurgery, etc.) to practice surgical approaches.
- Advanced cadaveric labs (Skill Labs) for minimally invasive and robotic surgical simulations.
Radiological Anatomy Correlation
- Support for radiology and surgery departments in anatomical image interpretation.
- Development of cross-sectional anatomy atlases for diagnostic use.
Community Outreach & Social Services
Body Donation Program
- Managing awareness drives, donor registration, ethical handling, and memorial ceremonies.
- Providing consultation to other institutions on establishing donation programs.
Anatomy Awareness Campaigns
- Public exhibitions (“Know Your Body” events), museum tours, and school outreach programs.
- Promoting health literacy through anatomy-based education.
Collaboration with NGOs and Health Organizations
- Supporting community health programs (e.g., Rotary Club activities, skill development, etc.) through educational engagement.
National and Global Collaboration Services
Inter-Institutional Academic Partnerships
- Faculty and student exchange programs in collaboration with national and international universities.
- Joint research projects and conference organization.
Digital and Virtual Anatomy Solutions
- Development of AR/VR-based anatomy modules for remote learning.
- Providing digital dissection content for partner institutions worldwide.
Consultancy Services
- Advising new medical colleges on setting up anatomy labs, museums, and body donation units.
- Offering expertise in curriculum design, accreditation preparation, and infrastructure planning.
In summary, key services can include
- Teaching & Training (UG/PG, clinicians, allied health)
- Research collaboration and specimen support
- Body donation & plastination programs
- Skill lab and cadaveric surgical workshops
- Faculty development and educational innovation
- Community outreach & public engagement
- Digital anatomy and global academic partnerships
Key Focus Areas
Innovations in Medical Education
- Integration of digital anatomy learning tools (3D models, AR/VR)
- Competency-based medical education (CBME) strategies
- Development of e-learning and blended learning modules
Clinical Anatomy & Radiological Correlation
- Linking anatomy with clinical practice
- Incorporating radiological imaging (CT, MRI, ultrasound) in anatomy teaching
- Development of clinical anatomy case discussions (CBL/PBL)
Cadaveric Dissection & Body Donation Program
- Promoting awareness and ethical practices related to body donation
- Efficient management of cadaver procurement and preservation
- Conducting memorial ceremonies for body donors and their families
Plastination & Museum Development
- Preparation of plastinated specimens for long-term teaching use
- Modernization of the anatomy museum with interactive and educational displays
- Integration of plastinated specimens into digital learning platforms
Research & Innovation Focus Areas
Morphometric and Anthropometric Studies
- Population-based anatomical variations
- Gender- and age-related morphometric research
Developmental & Embryological Studies
- Study of congenital anomalies and their anatomical basis
- Collaborative research in stem cell and developmental biology
Histology & Histopathology Correlation
- Integration of normal and pathological microscopic anatomy
- Digital histology in teaching and research
Neuroanatomy and Functional Anatomy
- 3D brain mapping and neuroanatomical correlations
- Collaborative research with neurosciences and imaging departments
Medical Education
- Newer concepts of Teaching, Learning
Community & Applied Focus Areas
Body Donation Awareness & Public Engagement
- Community outreach programs to encourage voluntary body donation
- Public exhibitions and anatomy education for laypersons
Anatomy in Surgical Skill Development
- Cadaveric workshops for surgical residents and clinicians
- Hands-on training in regional and functional anatomy
Forensic & Legal Anatomy
- Collaboration with forensic medicine for medico-legal applications
- Anatomical expertise in forensic identification
Emerging & Interdisciplinary Focus Areas
Virtual and Augmented Reality in Anatomy Education
- Development of immersive anatomy learning environments
- AI-assisted anatomy tutoring tools
Comparative and Evolutionary Anatomy
- Collaborative studies with veterinary and biological sciences
Ethics and Humanities in Anatomy
- Incorporating compassion, ethics, and humanity in dissection-based learning