Laboratory of Adam B. Wilson, PhD

Adam Wilson, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology. In his graduate work, he was trained as both an anatomy educator and a medical educationalist. He holds a doctoral minor in education. As such, his research focus in is the field of educational measurement and evaluation, which entails a range of topics including test/instrument development and validation, program evaluation, and quantitative analysis of educational and psychological data. Wilson conducts research in both medical education and anatomy education.

Our work

Dr. Wilson’s recent scholarship focuses on health professions education, with particular emphasis on artificial intelligence in biomedical education, anatomy education, assessment validity, and educational research methodology. His work includes meta-analyses of large language model performance in biomedical and dental education, studies of AI applications in anatomy image interpretation and educational research, and analyses of AI-related policies across U.S. medical schools. Collectively, this work reflects a rigorous, policy-relevant, and forward-looking research agenda aimed at improving educational quality and institutional decision-making in health professions education.

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Technology and methods

A variety of statistical and qualitative methods are used to study medical/anatomy education. Wilson has experience with the following methods:

  • Meta-analysis
  • Confirmatory and exploratory factor analysis
  • Path analysis
  • Regression and correlational analyses
  • General inferential and descriptive statistics
  • Thematic analyses

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Publications

  1. Cheverko C, Bolgova O, Mavrych V, Mohamed FRR, Westrick J, Juarez L, Rush E, Solka K, Doubleday A, Byram J, Becker R, Gomez V, Ganeng BA, Hoffman LA, Roach V, Doubleday A, Brown K, DeVaul N, Garnett C, Herriott H, Lufler R, Mussell JC, Balta J, Pascoe M, Middleton JW, Duffy S, Stephens G, and Wilson AB. The Performance of ChatGPT and Other Large Language Models on Multiple-Choice Questions in Biomedical Disciplines: A Meta-Analysis. Anatomical Sciences Education. 2026.
  2. Doubleday A, Cheverko C, Bolgova O, Mavrych V, Mohamed FRR, Westrick J, Juarez L, Rush E, Solka K, Byram J, Becker R, Gomez V, Ganeng BA, Hoffman LA, Roach V, Doubleday A, Brown K, DeVaul N, Garnett C, Herriott H, Lufler R, Mussell JC, Balta J, Pascoe M, Middleton JW, Duffy S, Stephens G, and Wilson AB. Temporal Trends in Large Language Model (LLM) Accuracy: A Meta-Analysis of Multiple-Choice Question Performance in Dentistry and Dental Education. Journal of Dentistry. 2026; 171. Article 106724.
  3. Rush E, Byram JN, Garnett CN, DeVaul N, Smith L, Checchi M, Martin D, Hoffman LA, Brown KM, Mumbower DJ, Becker RM, Roach VA, Doubleday AF, Edwards DN, Lufler RS, Wactor A, Boxerman S, Smith S, Herriott H, Wilson AB. An audit of AI-related documents across U.S. medical schools. A framework-based qualitative content analysis. Medical Teacher. 2026; 48(3):493-505.
  4. Eastwood JL, Farlie MK, Wilson AB, Hunt BD, Lazarus MD, Stephens GC. Exploring Response Process Validity of Uncertainty Tolerance Scales Implemented among Health Professions Students. Anatomical Sciences Education. 2025; 18(8):802-814.
  5. Hyeamang LJ, Sekhar T, Rush E, Beresheim AC, Cheverko C, Brooks WS, Breckling A, Karim MN, Ferrigno C, Wilson AB. AI’s Ability to Interpret Unlabeled Anatomy Images and Supplement Educational Research as an AI Rater. Anatomical Sciences Education. 2025; 18(10):1102-1113.
  6. Cheverko C, Simpson J, Hamidi S, Flores C; Yurich HC; Wilson AB. Current trends in anatomy course characteristics across U.S. physician assistant programs. Anatomical Sciences Education. 2025; 18(5):485-495.
  7. Gurley H, Lufler RS, Goldberg BJ, Ferrigno C, Wilson AB. Are medical associations’ paid parental leave recommendations instituted for United States medical school faculty? Medical Education Online. 2025; 30(1):2487656.
  8. Goldberg BJ, Ferrigno C, Schundler SF, Norrell ES, Fox L, Woods S, Wilson AB. Employment benefits across U.S. allopathic medical schools: National norms and relationships with institutional wealth. Anatomical Sciences Education. 2024; 17(3):529-538.
  9. Beresheim A, Zapeda D, Pharel M, Soy T, Wilson AB, Ferrigno C. Anatomy’s missing faces: An assessment of representation gaps in atlases and textbook imagery. Anatomical Sciences Education. 2024; 17(5):1055-1070.
  10. Wilson AB, Brooks WS, Edwards DN, Deaver J, Surd JA, Pirlo OJ, Byrd WA, Meyer ER, Beresheim A, Cuskey SL, Tsintolas JG, Norrell ES, Fisher HC, Skaggs CW, Mysak D, Levin SR, Escutia Rosas CE, Cale AS, Karim MN, Pollock J, Kakos NJ, O’Brien MS, and Lufler RS. Survey response rates in health sciences education research: A 10-year meta-analysis. Anatomical Sciences Education. 2024; 17(1):11-23.
  11. Wilson AB, Barger JB, Perez P, Brooks WS. Is the supply of continuing education in the anatomical sciences keeping up with the demand? Results of a national survey. Anatomical Sciences Education. 2017.
  12. Wilson AB, Miller CH, Klein BA, Taylor MA, Goodwin M, Boyle E, Brown K, Hoppe C, Lazarus M. A meta-analysis of anatomy laboratory pedagogies. Clinical Anatomy. 2018; 31:122-133.
  13. Wilson AB, Grichanik M, Williams JM. Computer-based administration and grading of free response practical examination items: A comparison of assessment programs and case study. Medical Science Educator. 2017; 27(4):847-853.
  14. †Byram JN, Seifert MF, Brooks WS, Fraser-Cotlin L, Thorp LE, Williams JM, Wilson AB. Using generalizability analysis to estimate parameters for anatomy assessments: A multi-institutional study. Anatomical Science Education. 2017; 10(2):109-119.
  15. Wilson AB, Taylor MA, Klein BA, Sugrue MK, Whipple EC, Brokaw JJ. Meta-analysis and Review of Learner Performance & Perceptions: Virtual versus Optical Microscopy. Medical Education. 2016; 50:428-440.
  16. Kreiter, CD, Wilson AB, Humbert AJ, Wade PA. Examining rater and occasion influences in observational assessments obtained from within the clinical environment. Medical Education On-line. 2016; 21:29279.
  17. Wilson AB, Pike GR, Humbert AJ. Testing for multilevel dimensionality: A higher-order factor analysis of a script concordance test. Medical Science Educator. 2015; 25:439-446.
  18. Wilson AB, Torbeck LJ, Dunnington GL. Ranking surgical residency programs: Reputation survey or outcomes measures? Journal of Surgical Education. 2015; 72(6):e243-e250.
  19. Torbeck LJ, Wilson AB, Choi JN, Dunnington GL. Identification of behaviors and techniques for promoting autonomy in the operating room. Surgery. 2015; 158(4):1102-1110.
  20. †Traser CJ, Hoffman LA, Seifert MF, Wilson AB. Investigating the use of QR codes in the gross anatomy laboratory. Anatomical Science Education. 2015; 8(5):421-428.
  21. Wilson AB, Choi JN, Torbeck LJ, Mellenger J, Dunnington GL, Williams RG. Clinical Assessment and Management Examination – Outpatient (CAMEO): Its validity and use in a surgical milestones paradigm. Journal of Surgical Education. 2015; 72(1):33-40.
  22. Wilson AB, Pike GR, Humbert AJ. Analyzing script concordance test scoring methods and items by difficulty and type. Teaching and Learning in Medicine: An International Journal. 2014; 26(2);135-145.
  23. Wilson AB, Pike GR, Humbert AJ. Preliminary factor analyses raise concerns about script concordance test utility. Medical Science Educator. 2014; 24(1):51-58.
  24. Cooper DD, Wilson AB, Huffman GN, Humbert AJ. Medical students’ perception of residents as teachers: Comparing effectiveness of residents and faculty during simulation debriefings. Journal of Graduate Medical Education. 2012; 4(4):486-489.
  25. Wilson A, Fegan F, Romence B, Uhe K, Dionne B. Precepting the medical assistant practicum: expectations and rewards: an evaluation of preceptors' opinions. Journal of Allied Health. 2011; 40(4):212.
  26. Wilson AB, Petty M, Williams JM, Thorp LE. An Investigation of Alternating Group Dissections in Medical Gross Anatomy. Teaching and Learning in Medicine: An International Journal. 2011; 23(1):46 - 52.
  27. Wilson AB, Ross C, Petty M, Williams JM, Thorp LE. Bridging the transfer gap: laboratory exercise combines clinical exposure and anatomy review. Medical Education. Aug 2009; 43(8):790-798

A full list of Adam B. Wilson's research publications can be found on PubMed.

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Funding

American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) Research Award (PI):  “Exploring whether professional development benefits promote leadership, committee engagement, and career satisfaction among PAs”. 2017.

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Graduate and medical students

Previously mentored graduate and medical students:

  • Mohammad Aldalou, MD (Postdoctoral Fellow) – University of Alabama, Birmingham
  • Lord J. Hyeamang (Medical Student, Class of 2027) – Rush University
  • Tejas C. Sekhar (Medical Student, Class of 2027) – Rush University
  • Isabel Hartner (Medical Student, Class of 2027) – Rush University
  • Nicholas Kakos (Medical Student) – Tufts University
  • Hannah Gurley (Medical Student) – Tufts University
  • Courtney Lloyd, PhD – Department of Physician Assistant Studies, University of St. Francis, Fort Wayne, IN
  • Jessica Byram, PhD – Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
  • Ramin Chitsaz – Rush Medical College, medical class of 2020

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Contact

Adam Wilson, PhD
Professor
Director of Anatomy Education
Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology
Rush University Medical Center
Armour Academic Center, Office 505A
600 S. Paulina St.
Chicago, IL 60612
Office: (312) 942-5903
Email: adam_wilson@rush.edu

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