TRANSFORMING ANATOMY EDUCATION WITH STAMLABS

Alexandra Stam is the visionary founder of StamLabs. Originally from Canada, she moved to Enschede almost three years ago to study physiotherapy at Saxion University. Driven by her passion for anatomy and frustration with traditional teaching methods, Alexandra began developing 3D-printed, plant-based anatomical models to enhance the understanding of human anatomy. 

The motivation behind StamLabs

Alexandra’s motivation stems from her deep passion for anatomy and her frustration with traditional teaching methods. “In my anatomy classes, knowing how everything is connected, how movement is created, and understanding pathologies is vital,” Alexandra explains. “However, our resources were mostly textbooks and lectures, which aren’t very effective for practicing skills. Skeletons don’t show the necessary details, which is frustrating, especially when practical work is essential.” This frustration sparked an idea. Alexandra began by drawing and sculpting body parts with clay. When a neighbor introduced her to 3D printing, she realized this technology could revolutionize her approach. 

Better knowledge retention and practical skills 

The models created by Alexandra demonstrate bone structures and the correct attachment of muscles, making understanding anatomy significantly more accessible than reading alone. “What makes my models different is the inclusion of soft tissues, like ligaments,” Alexandra says. Her vision is to make these models accessible for every anatomy class. “For students, these models can help with studying and understanding the connections in the body. Research shows that using anatomical models is a self-directed learning activity that enhances knowledge retention and practical skills development.”

The entrepreneurial start with SCVO and Novel-T

“I wanted to share my models with others, but I realized I needed to become an entrepreneur to do that,” Alexandra admits. Lacking business experience, she joined the Top Talent program at Saxion Centrum voor Ondernemerschap (SCVO) and later created her first 3D prototype in their FabLab. “Last September, I started the START program, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without it. Business in Canada is very different from that in the Netherlands. The program taught me a lot about the local system and how to bring my prototype to market. The lessons from the START Program were invaluable, and interacting with other aspiring entrepreneurs was a game changer. I finally had people to discuss my struggles with.” 

Currently, Alexandra is an intern at a hand clinic, where she uses her models for user testing. “It’s challenging to describe bodily functions, but my models make it much easier. Once I finish my internships, I plan to join the Novel-T Advanced Program to develop my business further.”

StamLabs in every classroom

A clear vision is what Alexandra has—she aims to expand the market in the Netherlands and beyond. “For the past 200 years, medical schools have relied on cadavers for teaching anatomy, which is ethically complicated, messy, and expensive,” Alexandra notes. “With the shift to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, many students turned to YouTube. I aim to create instructional videos to explain anatomy to students. In one year, I hope to conduct a feasibility study at Saxion. Within two years, I want to expand within the Netherlands, and in ten years, I envision my product in every classroom possible.”