Dr Caroline Erolin
Contact
Biography
Dr Caroline Erolin is a Reader in Medical Art working across the School of Science & Engineering (CAHID), and the School of Art & Design (DJCAD), where she is the programme lead for the MSc in Medical Art.
Her research and scholarship interests focus on the future of medical art and artists, particularly in relation to new and developing technologies. She obtained her PhD in 2016 with her research into the development and use of virtual haptic dissection of anatomical models and has subsequently published a number of papers on topics relating to 3D scanning and virtual reality. Caroline is a Fellow of the Institute of Medical Illustrators, and a member of the Medical Artists Association of Great Britain, she is also an Editor for the Journal of Visual Communication in Medicine.
Qualifications
- PhD; 2016
- Thesis entitled “Does Virtual Haptic Dissection Improve Student Learning?”
- MPhil; 2002
- Thesis entitled “Reconstructing the Visual Manifestations of Disease”
- PgCert in Teaching in Higher Education; 2008
Professional Membership
- Fellow of the Institute of Medical Illustrators (IMI)
- Member of the Medical Artists’ Association of Great Britain (MAA)
- Registered Medical Illustration Practitioner (through the Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS)
- Member of Association Européenne des Illustrateurs Médicaux et Scientifiques (AEIMS)
- Member of the British Association for Human Identification (BAHID)
- Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA)
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
3. Good health and well-being
4. Quality education
10. Reduced inequalities
16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Research
Scholarship and Research
Medical art and illustration, 3D modelling, 3D scanning
Medical Art and Illustration
Medical art encompasses a wide range of applications. It includes creating illustrations and models for patient communication and information to medical teaching and training. Dr Erolin has worked with Masters and PhD students to publish a range of papers of these topics including:
Butler, J, Ogden, J, Phillips, R, Hay, R, Simmonds, RE & Erolin, C 2024, 'Multisensory medical illustrations of Buruli ulcer for improved disease detection, help seeking behaviour and adherence to treatment', Journal of Visual Communication in Medicine, vol. 47, no. 1, pp. 8-20. https://doi.org/10.1080/17453054.2024.2348170
Erolin, C 2025, 'MSc medical art masters showcase 2024, University of Dundee', Journal of Visual Communication in Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1080/17453054.2025.2456836
Ilic, N, Prescott, A, Erolin, C & Peter, M 2022, 'Representation in medical illustration: the impact of model bias in a dermatology pilot study', Journal of Visual Communication in Medicine, vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 253-262. https://doi.org/10.1080/17453054.2022.2086455
Erolin, C 2020, 'Medical illustration in the 21st century and beyond', Medical Writing, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 6-10.
3D Modelling
3D modelling is frequently used within medical art and illustration. Anatomy is an inherently three-dimensional subject and 3D modelling therefore is particularly useful in its education. Dr Erolin has conducted research and published a range of papers of this topic including:
Manica, S, Tetsumaru Fujiwara, D, Conti, V, McMahon, M, Joie Guzman, E, Morrison, L, Pandey, H & Erolin, C 2024, 'Dental damage: Creating 3d anatomical models to illustrate destructive effects on human teeth', Morphologie, vol. 108, no. 363, 100911. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.morpho.2024.100911
Erolin, C 2019, Interactive 3D Digital Models for Anatomy and Medical Education. in PM Rea (ed.), Biomedical Visualisation: Volume 2. 1 edn, vol. 2, Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol. 1138, Springer , Switzerland, pp. 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-14227-8_1
Erolin, C, Reid, L & McDougall, S 2019, 'Using virtual reality to complement and enhance anatomy education', Journal of Visual Communication in Medicine, vol. 42, no. 3, pp. 93-101. https://doi.org/10.1080/17453054.2019.1597626
3D Scanning
3D scanning can be used to create 3D digital replicas of real life objects such as anatomical material and museum artifacts. Dr Erolin has conducted research and published a range of papers of this topic including:
Erolin, C 2023, 'Preference for realism in 3D anatomical scans', Journal of Visual Communication in Medicine, vol. 46, no. 2, pp. 85–96. https://doi.org/10.1080/17453054.2023.2226690
Erolin, C 2023, 'Preparing anatomical scan data for sharing online', Journal of Visual Communication in Medicine, vol. 46, no. 2, pp. 105-114. https://doi.org/10.1080/17453054.2023.2216238
Erolin, C, Jarron, M & Csetenyi, L 2017, 'Zoology 3D: Creating a Digital Collection of Specimens from the D’Arcy Thompson Zoology Museum', Digital Applications in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage, vol. 7, no. December, pp. 51-55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.daach.2017.11.002
Selected publications
Erolin, C 2025, 'MSc medical art masters showcase 2024, University of Dundee', Journal of Visual Communication in Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1080/17453054.2025.2456836
Manica, S, Tetsumaru Fujiwara, D, Conti, V, McMahon, M, Joie Guzman, E, Morrison, L, Pandey, H & Erolin, C 2024, 'Dental damage: Creating 3d anatomical models to illustrate destructive effects on human teeth', Morphologie, vol. 108, no. 363, 100911. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.morpho.2024.100911
Butler, J, Ogden, J, Phillips, R, Hay, R, Simmonds, RE & Erolin, C 2024, 'Multisensory medical illustrations of Buruli ulcer for improved disease detection, help seeking behaviour and adherence to treatment', Journal of Visual Communication in Medicine, vol. 47, no. 1, pp. 8-20. https://doi.org/10.1080/17453054.2024.2348170
Erolin, C 2023, 'Preference for realism in 3D anatomical scans', Journal of Visual Communication in Medicine, vol. 46, no. 2, pp. 85–96. https://doi.org/10.1080/17453054.2023.2226690
Erolin, C 2023, 'Preparing anatomical scan data for sharing online', Journal of Visual Communication in Medicine, vol. 46, no. 2, pp. 105-114. https://doi.org/10.1080/17453054.2023.2216238
Ilic, N, Prescott, A, Erolin, C & Peter, M 2022, 'Representation in medical illustration: the impact of model bias in a dermatology pilot study', Journal of Visual Communication in Medicine, vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 253-262. https://doi.org/10.1080/17453054.2022.2086455
Erolin, C 2020, 'Medical illustration in the 21st century and beyond', Medical Writing, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 6-10.
Erolin, C 2019, Interactive 3D Digital Models for Anatomy and Medical Education. in PM Rea (ed.), Biomedical Visualisation: Volume 2. 1 edn, vol. 2, Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol. 1138, Springer , Switzerland, pp. 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-14227-8_1
Erolin, C, Reid, L & McDougall, S 2019, 'Using virtual reality to complement and enhance anatomy education', Journal of Visual Communication in Medicine, vol. 42, no. 3, pp. 93-101. https://doi.org/10.1080/17453054.2019.1597626
Erolin, C, Jarron, M & Csetenyi, L 2017, 'Zoology 3D: Creating a Digital Collection of Specimens from the D’Arcy Thompson Zoology Museum', Digital Applications in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage, vol. 7, no. December, pp. 51-55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.daach.2017.11.002
Teaching
Caroline is programme lead for the MSc in Medical Art. Having been involved with the programme since its inception in 2007 she has helped develop and refine the content over this time. Caroline has supervised a number of master’s research projects on topics including; developing a patient communication iPad application, Medical Illiteracy, and the development of e-learning resources for medical and anatomy students.
At the end of each academic year Caroline helps the students put on an exhibition of their artwork as part of the Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design ‘Masters Showcase’.
You can read more about the MSc in Medical Art here: https://www.dundee.ac.uk/postgraduate/medical-art
Caroline Erolin holds a PhD in Medical Visualisation, an MPhil in Medical Art, and PGCert in Higher Education. She is member of numerous professional bodies including the Medical Artists Association (MAA), the Institute of Medical Illustrators (IMI), the British Association for Human Identification (BAHID) and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA).
Supervision
Visual Communication in Female Reproductive and Sexual Health, 1st supervisor, ongoing
Using Medical Illustration to Improve Understanding and Communication of Skin Neglected Tropical Diseases, External supervisor, completed
Representation in medical illustration: the impact of model bias in a dermatology, 2nd supervisor, completed
Light for the Blind: Exploring 3D Animation and Immersive Digital Film, to Represent the Perceptual-Experiences of the Blind, 2nd supervisor, completed
Open to enquires for PhD’s in the field of Medical Art and Illustration.
Stories
Press release
A digital artist from the University of Dundee has won a prestigious Royal Photographic Society Award for her pioneering work across forensic and medical arts.
