Nalini has more than 25 years’ experience in innovative design and delivery of medicine and health programs in several countries. Her medical education research focusses on curriculum and assessment design, digital and inclusive education, and integration of biomedical sciences into health professional programs. She has a particular interest in educational technologies (including AI) and cognitive load, and curricular approaches that support positive learning behaviour, wellbeing, critical thinking and professional development. Nalini's research also includes medical imaging diagnositics and the use of AI.
Nalini is the co-founder of the Health Universities Initiative, which frames a whole-of-university approach to student success and wellbeing. She has several awards (Faculty, Vice-Chancellor, Australian Award for University Teaching) for her contributions to higher education. Nalini is the Chair of the International Program for Anatomical Education (FIPAE) of the IFAA, and an Associate Editor of Anatomical Sciences Education (Impact Factor, 7.2). Nalini is a Board Member and Fellow of ANZAHPE, Fellow of the Scientia Education Academy, and Fellow of HERDSA.
Nalini currently supervises 5 PhD students in the following topics:
Nalini currently supervises 4 reseach honours students on the following topics:
Journal Article: Normal morphometry of the biliary tree in pediatric and adult populations: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Chau, Patrick, Moses, Daniel and Pather, Nalini (2024). Normal morphometry of the biliary tree in pediatric and adult populations: A systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Radiology 111472, 111472. doi: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2024.111472
Conference Publication: Assessment for inclusion in health professions education
Tai, Joanna, Ajjawi, Rola, Bearman, Margaret, Fleming, Simon, Liang, Rhea and Pather, Nalini (2024). Assessment for inclusion in health professions education. Ottawa 2024: Conference on the Assessment of Competence in Medicine and the Healthcare Professions, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 24-28 February 2024.
Conference Publication: Assessment of IPE outcomes: What have we achieved and where might we head next?
Brewer, Margo, Rogers, Gary, Brownie, Sharon and Pather, Nalini (2024). Assessment of IPE outcomes: What have we achieved and where might we head next?. Ottawa 2024: Conference on the Assessment of Competence in Medicine and the Healthcare Professions, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 24-28 February 2024. Melbourne, VIC, Australia: Ottawa 2024.
Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery: exploring consumer drivers
Doctor Philosophy
An evaluation of advocacy in medical programs in Australia
Doctor Philosophy
Fetal and Embryological Collections: a paradigm lens to revisit ethics and informed consent
Doctor Philosophy
Commemorations and memorials: Exploring the human face of anatomy
Štrkalj, Goran and Pather, Nalini (2017). Commemorations and memorials: Exploring the human face of anatomy. World Scientific Publishing Co.. doi: 10.1142/10118
Kenderdine, Sarah, Yip, Andrew, Oliver, Carol, Pather, Nalini, Sammut, Claude, Djokic, Tara, Marcus, Nadine and Ong, Alex (2021). Designing multi-disciplinary interactive virtual environments for next-generation immersive learning experiences: case studies and future directions in astrobiology, anatomy and cultural heritage. Creativity in the Twenty First Century. (pp. 49-67) edited by Anna Hui and Christian Wagner. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-72216-6_4
Instructional design of virtual learning resources for anatomy education
Birbara, Nicolette S. and Pather, Nalini (2021). Instructional design of virtual learning resources for anatomy education. Biomedical visualisation. (pp. 75-110) edited by Paul M. Rea. Gateway East, Singapore: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-61125-5_5
Prosection and dissection laboratory sessions: design and implement to enhance learning
Pather, Nalini (2020). Prosection and dissection laboratory sessions: design and implement to enhance learning. Teaching anatomy: a practical guide. (pp. 259-269) edited by Lap Ki Chan and Wojciech Pawlina. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-43283-6_27
A moment of hope: thanksgiving services for families of donors
Pather, Nalini and Ashwell, Ken (2017). A moment of hope: thanksgiving services for families of donors. Commemorations and memorials: exploring the human face of anatomy. (pp. 173-180) Singapore, Singapore: World Scientific Publishing. doi: 10.1142/9789813143159_0012
Concluding remarks: where to from here?
Pather, Nalini and Štrkalj, Goran (2017). Concluding remarks: where to from here?. Commemorations and memorials: exploring the human face of anatomy. (pp. 195-196) edited by Goran Štrkalj and Nalini Pather. Singapore, Singapore: World Scientific Publishing. doi: 10.1142/9789813143159_0014
Štrkalj, Goran and Pather, Nalini (2017). Introduction. Commemorations and memorials: exploring the human face of anatomy. (pp. 1-14) London, United Kingdom: World Scientific Publishing. doi: 10.1142/9789813143159_0001
ePortfolios, assessment and professional skills in the medical sciences
Polly, Patsie, Vickery, Richard, Thai, Thuan, Yang, Jia-Lin, Fath, Thomas, Herbert, Cristan, Jones, Nicole, Lewis, Trevor, Pather, Nalini, Schibeci, Suzanne and Cox, Julian (2016). ePortfolios, assessment and professional skills in the medical sciences. ePortfolios in Australian Universities. (pp. 47-64) edited by Jennifer Rowley. Singapore, Singapore: Springer Singapore. doi: 10.1007/978-981-10-1732-2_4
Teaching anatomy: prosections and dissections
Pather, Nalini (2014). Teaching anatomy: prosections and dissections. Teaching anatomy. (pp. 213-221) edited by Lap Ki Chan and Wojciech Pawlina. Cham, Switzerland: Springer Cham. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-08930-0_24
Chau, Patrick, Moses, Daniel and Pather, Nalini (2024). Normal morphometry of the biliary tree in pediatric and adult populations: A systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Radiology 111472, 111472. doi: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2024.111472
El‐Haddad, Joyce and Pather, Nalini (2024). Macro and micro ethics in fetal and embryological collections: Exploring the paradigms of informed consent among Australian education‐focused stakeholders. Anatomical Sciences Education, 17 (3), 630-645. doi: 10.1002/ase.2385
Quantitative MRI in the local staging of prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Xiao, Vieley G., Kresnanto, Jordan, Moses, Daniel A. and Pather, Nalini (2024). Quantitative MRI in the local staging of prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, 59 (1), 255-296. doi: 10.1002/jmri.28742
Chau, Patrick, Soo Yoon, Ji, Moses, Daniel and Pather, Nalini (2023). A systematic review and meta-analysis of portal vein morphometry in pediatric and adult populations: drawing the line between normal and abnormal findings. European Journal of Radiology, 168 111016, 1-14. doi: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2023.111016
Byun, Sarang, Morris, Sarah and Pather, Nalini (2022). Magnetic resonance imaging study of the sciatic nerve variation in the pediatric gluteal region: Implications for the posterior approach of the sciatic nerve blockade. Paediatric Anaesthesia, 32 (12), 1355-1364. doi: 10.1111/pan.14545
Musculoskeletal anatomy knowledge in Australian chiropractors
Giuriato, Rosemary, Štrkalj, Goran, Prvan, Tania, Hulme, Anneliese and Pather, Nalini (2022). Musculoskeletal anatomy knowledge in Australian chiropractors. Anatomical Sciences Education, 15 (4), 663-670. doi: 10.1002/ase.2117
Musculoskeletal anatomy core syllabus for Australian chiropractic programs: A pilot study
Giuriato, Rosemary, Štrkalj, Goran, Prvan, Tania and Pather, Nalini (2022). Musculoskeletal anatomy core syllabus for Australian chiropractic programs: A pilot study. Journal of Chiropractic Education, 36 (2), 117-123. doi: 10.7899/JCE-21-18
A global perspective on embryological and fetal collections: where to from here?
El-Haddad, Joyce, Štrkalj, Goran and Pather, Nalini (2022). A global perspective on embryological and fetal collections: where to from here?. Anatomical Record, 305 (4), 869-885. doi: 10.1002/ar.24863
Newman, Hamish J., Meyer, Amanda J., Wilkinson, Tim J., Pather, Nalini and Carr, Sandra. E. (2022). Technology enhanced neuroanatomy teaching techniques: a focused BEME systematic review of current evidence: BEME Guide No. 75. Medical Teacher, 44 (10), 1069-1080. doi: 10.1080/0142159X.2022.2039382
Anatomy knowledge retention in Australian osteopathic training: a comparative study
Blaich, Raymond, Pather, Nalini, Prvan, Tania, Engel, Roger, Hulme, Anneliese and Strkalj, Goran (2021). Anatomy knowledge retention in Australian osteopathic training: a comparative study. European Journal of Anatomy, 25 (4), 433-445.
Matar, Ihab, Lucas, Teghan, Gregory, Laura, Byun, Sarang, Morris, Sarah and Pather, Nalini (2021). Quantifying the ossification of the carpus: Radiographic standards for age estimation in a New South Wales paediatric population. Forensic Science International: Reports, 3 100211, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.fsir.2021.100211
Birbara, Nicolette S. and Pather, Nalini (2020). Real Or Not Real: The Impact of the Physical Fidelity of Virtual Learning Resources on Learning Anatomy. Anatomical Sciences Education, 14 (6), 774-787. doi: 10.1002/ase.2022
Maloney, Stephen, Pather, Nalini, Foo, Jonathan and Lazarus, Michelle D. (2020). Spending Wisely: The Role of Cost and Value Research in the Pursuit of Advancing Anatomical Sciences Education. Anatomical Sciences Education, 14 (2), 263-269. doi: 10.1002/ase.2027
Beyond the Sex Binary: Toward the Inclusive Anatomical Sciences Education
Štrkalj, Goran and Pather, Nalini (2020). Beyond the Sex Binary: Toward the Inclusive Anatomical Sciences Education. Anatomical Sciences Education, 14 (4), 513-518. doi: 10.1002/ase.2002
Supporting early career anatomists: an international challenge
Kramer, Beverley, Hartmann, Carol, du Toit, Francesca, Hutchinson, Erin and Pather, Nalini (2020). Supporting early career anatomists: an international challenge. Annals of Anatomy, 231 151520, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.aanat.2020.151520
Giuriato, Rosemary, Štrkalj, Goran, Prvan, Tania and Pather, Nalini (2020). Australian chiropractors’ perception of the clinical relevance of anatomical sciences and adequacy of teaching in chiropractic curricula. Chiropractic and Manual Therapies, 28 (1) 37, 1-8. doi: 10.1186/s12998-020-00325-6
Pather, Nalini, Blyth, Phil, Chapman, Jamie A., Dayal, Manisha R., Flack, Natasha A.M.S., Fogg, Quentin A., Green, Rodney A., Hulme, Anneliese K., Johnson, Ian P., Meyer, Amanda J., Morley, John W., Shortland, Peter J., Štrkalj, Goran, Štrkalj, Mirjana, Valter, Krisztina, Webb, Alexandra L., Woodley, Stephanie J. and Lazarus, Michelle D. (2020). Forced Disruption of Anatomy Education in Australia and New Zealand: An Acute Response to the Covid-19 Pandemic. Anatomical Sciences Education, 13 (3), 284-300. doi: 10.1002/ase.1968
Virtual Reality in Anatomy: A Pilot Study Evaluating Different Delivery Modalities
Birbara, Nicolette S., Sammut, Claude and Pather, Nalini (2019). Virtual Reality in Anatomy: A Pilot Study Evaluating Different Delivery Modalities. Anatomical Sciences Education, 13 (4), 445-457. doi: 10.1002/ase.1921
The Law, Ethics and Body Donation: A Tale of Two Bequeathal Programs
Hutchinson, Erin F., Kramer, Beverley, Billings, Brendon K., Brits, Desiré M. and Pather, Nalini (2019). The Law, Ethics and Body Donation: A Tale of Two Bequeathal Programs. Anatomical Sciences Education, 13 (4), 512-519. doi: 10.1002/ase.1922
Byun, Sarang, Gordon, Joshua, Morris, Sarah, Jacob, Tripti and Pather, Nalini (2019). A computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging study of the variations of the sciatic nerve branches of the pediatric knee: Implications for peripheral nerve blockade. Clinical Anatomy, 32 (6), 836-850. doi: 10.1002/ca.23412
Byun, Sarang and Pather, Nalini (2019). Pediatric regional anesthesia: A review of the relevance of surface anatomy and landmarks used for peripheral nerve blockades in infants and children. Clinical Anatomy, 32 (6), 803-823. doi: 10.1002/ca.23406
Knowledge Maps: an online tool for knowledge mapping with automated feedback
Ho, Veronica W., Meng, Meng, Hwang, Gwo-Jen, Pather, Nalini, Kumar, Rakesh K., Vickery, Richard M. and Velan, Gary M. (2019). Knowledge Maps: an online tool for knowledge mapping with automated feedback. Medical Science Educator, 29 (3), 625-629. doi: 10.1007/s40670-019-00736-y
Anatomical Sciences in Chiropractic Education: A Survey of Chiropractic Programs in Australia
Giuriato, Rosemary, Štrkalj, Goran, Meyer, Amanda J. and Pather, Nalini (2019). Anatomical Sciences in Chiropractic Education: A Survey of Chiropractic Programs in Australia. Anatomical Sciences Education, 13 (1), 37-47. doi: 10.1002/ase.1871
3D Modelling and Printing Technology to Produce Patient-Specific 3D Models
Birbara, Nicolette S., Otton, James M. and Pather, Nalini (2019). 3D Modelling and Printing Technology to Produce Patient-Specific 3D Models. Heart Lung and Circulation, 28 (2), 302-313. doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2017.10.017
Australian osteopathic practitioners’ perceptions of the clinical relevance of anatomy
Blaich, Raymond, Pather, Nalini, Luo, Kehui and Strkalj, Goran (2019). Australian osteopathic practitioners’ perceptions of the clinical relevance of anatomy. International Journal of Morphology, 37 (1), 319-323. doi: 10.4067/s0717-95022019000100319
3D printing from cardiovascular CT: A practical guide and review
Otton, James M., Birbara, Nicolette S., Hussain, Tarique, Greil, Gerald, Foley, Thomas A. and Pather, Nalini (2017). 3D printing from cardiovascular CT: A practical guide and review. Cardiovascular Diagnosis and Therapy, 7 (5), 507-526. doi: 10.21037/cdt.2017.01.12
Giuriato, Rosemary, Pather, Nalini, Ashwell, Ken and Strkalj, Goran (2016). The role of anatomy education in facilitating multidisciplinary collaboration in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions – An example from Australia El papel de la educación de la anatomía en la facilitación de la colaboración multidisciplinaria en el tratamiento de las afecciones musculoesqueléticas – Un ejemplo de Australia. International Journal of Morphology, 34 (4), 1424-1428. doi: 10.4067/S0717-95022016000400041
The orbit: A re-appraisal of the surgical landmarks of the medial and lateral walls
Yoon, Jisoo and Pather, Nalini (2016). The orbit: A re-appraisal of the surgical landmarks of the medial and lateral walls. Clinical Anatomy, 29 (8), 998-1010. doi: 10.1002/ca.22787
An appraisal of the short lateral rotators of the hip joint
Yoo, Sarang, Dedova, Irina and Pather, Nalini (2015). An appraisal of the short lateral rotators of the hip joint. Clinical Anatomy, 28 (6), 800-812. doi: 10.1002/ca.22568
Štrkalj, Goran and Pather, Nalini (2014). A proposal for introducing a requirement to declare the provenience of cadavers in anatomy publications. Clinical Anatomy, 27 (4), 512-513. doi: 10.1002/ca.22390
Aged skeletal muscle retains the ability to fully regenerate functional architecture
Lee, Antonio S. J., Anderson, Judy E., Joya, Josephine E., Head, Stewart I., Pather, Nalini, Kee, Anthony J., Gunning, Peter W. and Hardeman, Edna C. (2013). Aged skeletal muscle retains the ability to fully regenerate functional architecture. Bioarchitecture, 3 (2), 25-37. doi: 10.4161/bioa.24966
Phillip V. Tobias as an anatomist
Štrkalj, Goran and Pather, Nalini (2013). Phillip V. Tobias as an anatomist. Clinical Anatomy, 26 (4), 423-429. doi: 10.1002/ca.22163
Bulbine Natalensis and Bulbine Frutescens promote cutaneous wound healing
Pather, Nalini and Kramer, Beverley (2012). Bulbine Natalensis and Bulbine Frutescens promote cutaneous wound healing. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 144 (3), 523-532. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2012.09.034
Pather, Nalini, Viljoen, Alvaro M. and Kramer, Beverley (2011). A biochemical comparison of the in vivo effects of Bulbine frutescens and Bulbine natalensis on cutaneous wound healing. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 133 (2), 364-370. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2010.10.007
A preliminary assessment of the fifth-year chiropractic students' knowledge of anatomy
Strkalj, Goran, Schroder, Tania, Pather, Nalini and Solyali, Veli (2011). A preliminary assessment of the fifth-year chiropractic students' knowledge of anatomy. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 17 (1), 63-66. doi: 10.1089/acm.2010.0157
Kramer, Beverley, Pather, Nalini and Ihunwo, Amadi O. (2008). Anatomy: Spotlight on Africa. Anatomical Sciences Education, 1 (3), 111-118. doi: 10.1002/ase.28
Anatomy: The African spotlight unfurls
Kramer, Beverly, Pather, Nalini and Ihunwo, Amadi O. (2008). Anatomy: The African spotlight unfurls. Anatomical Sciences Education, 1 (5), 231-232. doi: 10.1002/ase.47
Cervico-thoracic ganglion: Its clinical implications
Pather, Nalini, Partab, P., Singh, B. and Satyapal, K. S. (2006). Cervico-thoracic ganglion: Its clinical implications. Clinical Anatomy, 19 (4), 323-326. doi: 10.1002/ca.20214
Landmarks of the facial nerve: Implications for parotidectomy
Pather, N. and Osman, M. (2006). Landmarks of the facial nerve: Implications for parotidectomy. Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 28 (2), 170-175. doi: 10.1007/s00276-005-0070-z
The anatomical rationale for an upper limb sympathetic blockade: Preliminary report
Pather, N., Singh, B., Partab, P., Ramsaroop, L. and Satyapal, K. S. (2004). The anatomical rationale for an upper limb sympathetic blockade: Preliminary report. Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 26 (3), 178-181. doi: 10.1007/s00276-003-0209-8
Thoracoscopy: A New Era for Surgical Anatomy
Satyapal, K. S., Singh, B., Partab, P., Ramsaroop, L. and Pather, N. (2003). Thoracoscopy: A New Era for Surgical Anatomy. Clinical Anatomy, 16 (6), 538-541. doi: 10.1002/ca.10174
The sympathetic contributions to the cardiac plexus
Pather, N., Partab, P., Singh, B. and Satyapal, K. S. (2003). The sympathetic contributions to the cardiac plexus. Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 25 (3-4), 210-215. doi: 10.1007/s00276-003-0113-2
A thoracoscopic view of the nerve of Kuntz
Ramsaroop, L., Singh, B., Moodley, J., Partab, P., Pather, N. and Satyapal, K. S. (2003). A thoracoscopic view of the nerve of Kuntz. Surgical endoscopy, 17 (9). doi: 10.1007/s00464-002-4555-0
Thoracic splanchnic nerves: Implications for splanchnic denervation
Naidoo, N., Partab, P., Pather, N., Moodley, J., Singh, B. and Satyapal, K. S. (2001). Thoracic splanchnic nerves: Implications for splanchnic denervation. Journal of Anatomy, 199 (5), 585-590. doi: 10.1046/j.1469-7580.2001.19950585.x
Buck, R. H., Pather, N., Moodley, J., Joubert, S. M. and Norman, R. J. (1987). Bedside application of an ultrasensitive urine test for HCG in patients with suspected ectopic pregnancy. Annals of Clinical Biochemistry, 24 (3), 268-272. doi: 10.1177/000456328702400305
Assessment for inclusion in health professions education
Tai, Joanna, Ajjawi, Rola, Bearman, Margaret, Fleming, Simon, Liang, Rhea and Pather, Nalini (2024). Assessment for inclusion in health professions education. Ottawa 2024: Conference on the Assessment of Competence in Medicine and the Healthcare Professions, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 24-28 February 2024.
Assessment of IPE outcomes: What have we achieved and where might we head next?
Brewer, Margo, Rogers, Gary, Brownie, Sharon and Pather, Nalini (2024). Assessment of IPE outcomes: What have we achieved and where might we head next?. Ottawa 2024: Conference on the Assessment of Competence in Medicine and the Healthcare Professions, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 24-28 February 2024. Melbourne, VIC, Australia: Ottawa 2024.
Developing coaches to support learners' longitudinal development
Ledger, Alison, Wozniak, Helen, Pather, Nalini and Olupeliyawa, Asela (2024). Developing coaches to support learners' longitudinal development. Ottawa 2024: Conference on the Assessment of Competence in Medicine and the Healthcare Professions, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 24-28 February 2024. Melbourne, VIC, Australia: Ottawa.
Pather, Nalini, Brewer, Margo and Bishop, Jo (2024). Integrating interprofessional education (IPE) and assessment strategies in health professional education: workshop. Ottawa 2024: Conference on the Assessment of Competence in Medicine and the Healthcare Professions, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 24-28 February 2024. Melbourne, VIC, Australia: Ottawa 2024.
Ledger, Alison, Richards, Bernadette and Pather, Nalini (2024). Integrating artificial intelligence into medical education: a path to future ready healthcare professionals. Asia Pacific Medical Education Conference, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 15-21 January 2024.
Age-specific variations of the sciatic nerve in the paediatric hip: An MRI study
Byun, Christina, Pather, Nalini and Morris, Sarah (2023). Age-specific variations of the sciatic nerve in the paediatric hip: An MRI study. APICA 2023, Dunedin, New Zealand, 30 November - 3 December 2023. Dunedin, New Zealand: APICA 2023.
El-Haddad, Joyce and Pather, Nalini (2023). Macroethics and microethics of fetal and embryological collections: exploring paradigms of informed consent. APICA 2023, Dunedin, New Zealand, 30 November-3 December 2023. Dunedin, New Zealand: APICA 2023.
Chau, Patrick, Moses, Daniel and Pather, Nalini (2023). Morphometry of the biliary tree in paediatric and adult populations: a systematic review and meta-analysis. APICA 2023, Dunedin, New Zealand, 30 November - 3 December 2023. Dunedin, New Zealand: APICA 2023.
Curricular approaches to supporting student academic success and wellbeing
Sidhu, Leesa, Ferrington, Linda, Macer-Wright, Jessica, Kelly, Ben, Mount, Gavin, Pather, Nalini and Cranney, Jacquelyn (2021). Curricular approaches to supporting student academic success and wellbeing. STARS Students Transitions Achievement Retention and Success, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 1-5 July 2021. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: STARS.
Visual analytics of single cell microscopy data using a collaborative immersive environment
Lock, John G., Filonik, Daniel, Lawther, Robert, Pather, Nalini, Gaus, Katharina, Kenderdine, Sarah and Bednarz, Tomasz (2018). Visual analytics of single cell microscopy data using a collaborative immersive environment. VRCAI 2018: 16th ACM SIGGRAPH International Conference on Virtual-Reality Continuum and its Applications in Industry, Tokyo, Japan, 2 - 3 December 2018. Washington, DC United States: Association for Computing Machinery. doi: 10.1145/3284398.3284412
Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery: exploring consumer drivers
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
An evaluation of advocacy in medical programs in Australia
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Fetal and Embryological Collections: a paradigm lens to revisit ethics and informed consent
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors: