Mechanisms of morphogenesis and malignancy; role of cell-surface carbohydrates in mediation of cell recognition during development; use of monoclonal anticarbohydrate antibodies to study lineage formation, cell differentiation, and neoplastic transformation.
Focus: Pathology Education; Developmental Biology
I am using modern technology to improve preclinical basic science education. My work is focused on the development of interactive, web-based instructional media, distance learning courses, and alternative methods for student self-assessment.
I have authored a major pathology textbook for self-assessment and board review. Lippincott's Review of Pathology: Illustrated Interactive Q & A guides students through the vast amount of pathology information they need to master to succeed on the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). Using the format of the National Board of Medical Examiners, the questions address the major topics in general and systemic pathology detailed in the highly-acclaimed textbook Rubin's Pathology: Clincopathologic Foundations of Medicine. The questions can be used as a learning companion to Rubin's Pathology or as a stand-alone tool for self-assessment and board review. Questions are presented online and in print. Students can work through the online questions in either "quiz" or "test" mode. The test mode stimulates the USMLE experience.
Bruce A. Fenderson, PhD is Professor of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology at Thomas Jefferson University. Dr. Fenderson received his PhD in Developmental Biology from The Johns Hopkins University and completed postdoctoral training in Reproductive Biology at the University of Washington, before moving to Jefferson Medical College in 1990. Dr. Fenderson teaches pathology, gross anatomy, and histology to medical students and allied health professionals. He has published numerous papers in the field of medical education; received awards from medical students for teaching excellence; created nationally recognized web sites for pathology education; established an honors program for gifted medical students; and introduced new formats for student learning and assessment. He has served as member of the USMLE Cell and Developmental Biology Test Development Committee. He is chair of the Cell Biology/Histology editorial review group for Doody Online. In addition to pathology education, his research interests include mechanisms of stem cell differentiation and morphogenesis. Dr. Fenderson is director of the Jefferson Chamber Orchestra and past-president of the Ambler Symphony.
Major Teaching Responsibilities at Jefferson Medical College include:
Human Form and Development
Microscopic Anatomy
Foundations of Pathology (Course Director)
Foundations of Clinical Medicine
