
Professor Frankie MacMillan
B.Sc.(Nott.), D.Phil.(Oxon.)
Current positions
Professor of Biomedical Science Education
School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience
Contact
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Research interests
Profile
I am the Admissions Tutor for the BSc and Msci programmes run in the School i.e. Physiological Science, Pharmacology and Neuroscience. As Senior Tutor in the School I oversee the personal tutorial system and am active in supporting undergraduate students during transition to University and helping those who may experience difficulties throughout their degree.
I am unit director for a first year unit in Physiology, which is taken by students on a variety of degree programmes including Physiological Science, Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Functional Anatomy and Veterinary Nursing. I am also unit director for a first year unit in Physioogy taken by students on an MSc in Biomedical Imaging
I teach mostly on the Physiological science and Neuroscience BSc programmes as well as on Veterinary Science. I cover topics which include Cell Biology, Renal Physiology, pH balance, Human Reproduction and Histology. I also run final year research projects in Physiology and Neuroscience.
I have an interest in developing new teaching activities, in particular interactive sessions and using 'gamification' to enhance learning. I am also continually working to develop and evaluate histology teaching using the ‘virtual microscope’. With colleagues I have developed a range of 'programme Enhancement Activities' to engage and support students in wider learning around their main subject area.
Although I no longer undertake research my background is in immunocytochemical and tract tracing techniques. I used these in functional anatomical approaches to investigate differences in sensory input mediated by Aδ or C fibres and how these inputs may be modulated at the level of the spinal cord from higher brain centres
Publications
Recent publications
01/03/2019Development of a risk-based, large-group revision quiz for first-year undergraduates
Advances in Physiology Education
Using Blackboard quizzes to support and improve student confidence in using numeracy skills
Developing Experimental Design and Analysis Skills in Undergraduates
Advances in Physiology Education
Measuring osmosis and hemolysis of red blood cells
Advances in Physiology Education
Production and Use of an Open Access Film to Demonstrate the Preparation of Histological Sections
Annals of International Medical and Dental research