Death Cafe @ Boobooks

On this evening Ryan Harris, from UNE, will speak about UNE’s Body Donor Program. The University of New England’s Human Anatomy Lab supports high-quality anatomy education for medicine and health science students through its Body Donor Program. The program emphasizes respect, dignity and gratitude for every donor, ensuring that all handling, storage, and learning activities meet strict ethical and safety standards.

Ryan Harris is UNE’s senior anatomy technical officer who coordinates the practical operations of the program. He manages body donor registration and preservation, specimen preparation, lab safety, and day-to-day oversight of the anatomy facilities. Ryan is from the small rural Queensland town of Toogoolawah and trained as an exercise physiologist at James Cook University in Townsville. He has worked in the UNE anatomy lab in Armidale for the past eight years. He is also an occasional lecturer, specialising in musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and neuroanatomy, but also enjoys presenting at community events – particularly on the history of anatomy.

Outside of work, Ryan focuses on craft and fitness hobbies, including cross-stitching, sewing, gardening, gym fitness and stand-up paddleboarding.