Augusta University Students Collaborate with Georgia DNR to Create Educational Animal Anatomy Visuals

Augusta University medical illustration students wrapped up a six-week assignment with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. They made animal anatomy visuals for teaching programs statewide. 

The work produced 18-inch by 24-inch infographic posters and presentation slides about turkeys, ducks, deer, largemouth bass, and trout.

Topics spanned duck plumage, beak shapes, and digestive systems. Deer anatomy included chronic wasting disease and antler growth. Fish content covered different species.

Amanda Behr chairs the department and teaches there. She said the hands-on work gets students ready for jobs after they graduate. "One of the most common questions I receive whenever I'm giving recommendations is 'How fast can they produce? How long will it take them to get up to speed to a professional level?'" said Behr, according to Jagwire.

Cory Bohannon works as a game warden with the Georgia DNR Law Enforcement Division. He came to four meetings and reviewed concept drawings. The illustrations will support teaching programs and youth development, he said.

"Not only will it help me with my education programs and further develop the youth and getting people outdoors, but it will also help them understand the inside of nature," Bohannon said. "We're all working together for the same goal."

Mandy Root-Thompson joined AU in August as a new professor. She's worked as a self-employed medical illustrator since 2014. Root-Thompson said field research pushes students to find experts instead of just using books and internet sources.

Augusta University runs one of four graduate-level medical illustration programs in the nation.