Dr. Ana Paula Benaduce
Anatomy professor, textbook author, and your biggest cheerleader.
My story
From the lab to the lecture hall
I was born in Santa Maria, a small town in the south of Brazil, and thatās where my academic journey began. I earned my B.Sc. in Biology and my Masterās in Physiology at the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria. While preparing to teach Human Physiology during my masterās, I quickly realized something important. You canāt teach physiology well without truly knowing anatomy. So I dove into anatomy, and I fell in love.
It All Made Sense! Anatomy made sense. Physiology made sense. And when things make sense, learning becomes fun, joyful, and deeply fulfilling.
That love for teaching started long before grad school. As a kid, I would line up my little sister and cousins on pillows in our balcony and teach them in front of my blackboard. Later, Iād help them study for biology using songs, jokes, and real-life examples. Iāve always believed that learning should be joyful, engaging, and empowering. That belief is at the heart of every classroom Iāve stepped into.
After moving to the U.S., I earned my Ph.D. in Cancer Biology at Florida International University in Miami. I then completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Miami focusing on Cancer Immunotherapy and Drug Development. No matter how far I went in research, my heart always belonged in teaching.
My Teaching Philosophy
āI teach the way I would love to have been taught!ā
That means class is never boring. I use music, movement, visuals, games, and real-life connections. If a topic is confusing, we break it down. If itās boring, we spice it up. There are surprises every class. Students never know what to expect, but they always leave feeling smarter, more confident, and (dare I say it?) excited about anatomy.
Students often tell me itās their favorite class. Some say they miss it like they would miss their favorite concert. During the pandemic, students actually begged me to open social media accounts so more people could learn anatomy in a way that made sense. Because of their encouragement, I created my Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube channels. Today, I am humbled and grateful to have nearly 1 million followers across all platforms. All because my students believed my method could help the world fall in love with learning.
Anatomy Survival Guide
The most loved anatomy textbook - clever, clear, and student-tested!
After assigning multiple traditional textbooks (and seeing students get frustrated every time), I decided to write the book I wish I had as a student. Thatās how the Anatomy Survival Guide was born. Itās clear, witty, and focused on what actually helps students learn. No unnecessary fluff, just core concepts, smart tips, and memorable tricks to make the learning stick.
Whether you’re just starting out or brushing up, this guide was built to make you say, āOh! That finally makes sense!ā
Why I Teach
To empower. To simplify. To light the spark.
I teach because I that is my passion!
Iāve seen students come into my classroom thinking they werenāt āsmart enoughā only to leave saying, āI had a dream I thought I would never achieve, but now I know I can.ā
I want every student to walk away not just knowing anatomy, but knowing that they can learn, grow, and go after the life they dream of. You are more capable than you think. You just need the right tools, the right perspective, and a little spark to believe in yourself.
If I could tell every student two things, they would be this:
First, never settle for less because you think you canāt achieve your dream. When you have a clear target, you can reach it.
Second, whatever you choose to do, do it with passion. Passion brings out your best. It leads not just to fulfillment, but to purpose, confidence, and lasting joy.
A Little More About Me
Life Outside the Lecture Hall
šØāš©āš§āš¦ Ā I live in Miami, Florida with my amazing husband Allan and our two wonderful kids, Anabella and Adam.
š My favorite hobby? Spending time with my family. As long as we are together, itās a good day.
āļø I absolutely LOVE summer! Any temperature below 74Ā°F is already too cold for me.
š Donāt leave me alone with a bag of chips or chocolates. Seriously. Itās a dangerous situation!