Dr. Caio Sarmento was faced with what seemed like an impossible task when in-person classes at Fresno State came to a halt in March 2020 — convert the cadaver dissection lab into a virtual class.

Cadaver dissection is an essential part of a physical therapy education — teaching students about the major structure of muscles and ligaments, as well as bones and their functions. Sarmento only knew how to teach the class in person.

But in the span of one week, the second-year professor in the Department of Physical Therapy transitioned the lab into a fully interactive, online course using Visible Body, an app that allows students to access interactive 3D modules, animations and augmented reality, including the dissection of cadavers.

Sarmento’s ability to adapt earned him the fall 2020 Provost’s Award for Extraordinary Teaching in Extraordinary Times in the Innovative Pedagogy category along with five other faculty and one program at Fresno State. Another eight faculty were honored in the Student Success category.

Visit Fresno State Magazine to read more and to view a photo gallery by University photographer Cary Edmondson.