About
HIA and Bryan Avery, Ph.D. (c)
Bryan Avery, Ph.D. (c), is President and CEO of the Hawaii Institute of Anatomy (HIA) and has been teaching Gross Human Anatomy since 1987. He received his Ph.D. training in Anatomy and Cell Biology at the University of Western Ontario, Canada. While completing his undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science at the University of Guelph, Canada, he worked as a teaching assistant in the Gross Anatomy laboratory for Human Biology and Human Kinetics students. He continued teaching and studying Gross Anatomy through his Master of Science training with a specialty in Nutritional Science and Human Biology.
While working on his Master’s dissertation, Bryan discovered a heretofore unreported
ligament in the scapular notch region of the shoulder. This ligament, which
he named the anterior coraco-scapular ligament (ACSL), is sometimes referred
to as the “Avery ligament”. ACSL is considered to be a possible contributor
to Suprascapular Nerve Entrapment Syndrome, a condition observed in 60%
of individuals.
Although his Ph.D. Research involved cellular communication between sympathetic neurons and Schwann cells, Bryan continued to enjoy teaching Gross Human Anatomy to medical, physical therapy, occupational therapy and nursing students. He was approached by many public and private professional schools and clinics to teach post-graduate courses for massage therapists and physical therapists, and established a great reputation as an exceptional instructor who is forever excited to teach Gross Human Anatomy.