How can Anaplastology better serve queer individuals seeking gender-affirming care? 2022 WST Grant winner Lauren Muskara is investigating this topic.
Lauren will create a needs assessment survey for queer individuals interested in seeking gender affirming care. Based on the information learned, she will create educational resources about anaplastology’s role in gender affirming care.
The 2023 WST Grant Cycle begins April 15th. For more information about the WST Grant program visit walterspohntrust.org/programs.
About Lauren
As a biomedical visualization specialist and fine artist, Lauren Muskara has had work published and exhibited in the American Journal of Bioethics, Frontiers in Immunology, and the International Museum of Surgical Science, to name a few. She is currently at the University of Illinois at Chicago, working towards a Master of Science in Biomedical Visualization. Interested in combining her passion for art, science, medicine, and technology, Lauren is exploring the possibilities offered by interactive media—such as augmented reality and virtual reality—3D modeling, scientific/medical illustration, and anaplastology to make patient education more inclusive and accessible.
To bolster the impact of biomedical visualization, she volunteers in professional organizations such as the Association of Medical Illustrators (AMI) and the Student Association of Medical Artists (SAMA). In SAMA, she spearheaded the position of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) chair, where she organized an annual guest lecture, an outreach event, and monthly community forums. Such meetings utilized a DEI lens (considering race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies) to create a safe space to address concerns from members.