Dr. Wisco is the Director of the Laboratory for Translational Anatomy of Degenerative Diseases and Developmental Disorders. In general, the lab is interested in the anatomical validation of innovative neuroimaging and surgical techniques. Specifically, the lab focuses on the histological validation of Alzheimer's disease imaging biomarkers, and of Diffusion Tensor Imaging tractography, both in human and mouse brains. In addition, the lab is part of two multi-institutional collaborations to characterize stellate ganglion innervation of cardiac tissue to inform the effects of stellectomy surgery; and to validate a new surgical procedure to use phrenic nerve roots to restore laryngeal function after recurrent laryngeal nerve denervation.
As part of his teaching responsibilities, Dr. Wisco is interested in anatomical sciences pedagogy, namely the effectiveness of dissection versus prosection in facilitating learning three-dimensional anatomy and acquiring confidence in physical exam skills. Dr. Wisco directs Anatomy Academy, an elementary school outreach and research program that teaches anatomy, physiology and nutrition concepts to 5th grade students as part of their physical education. The program is integrated with language arts to encourage self-reflection on health issues. Anatomy Academy aims to combat the obesity epidemic through educational intervention, and is a multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary collaboration between the disciplines of medicine, dentistry, nursing, public health, public policy and education.
Dr. Wisco is the Co-Founder of Visual Representation Solutions, LLC.
Specialties: Neuroanatomical research and teaching (lecturing, laboratory organization and administration, Problem Based Learning group facilitator)
Research collaboration (principal investigator, collaborator, student and staff supervisor)