Zachary London


Zachary London is an American scientist. He is the James W. Albers Collegiate Professor of Neurology at the University of Michigan and program director of the neurology residency at the University of Michigan. He specializes in neuromuscular disease and electromyography. He has been celebrated for his innovative approach to interactive educational tools, and received the American Academy of Neurology A. B. Baker Award for Lifetime Achievement in Neurology Education in 2023.

Early life and education

London grew up in Wisconsin. He attended Brown University for undergraduate studies and went to medical school at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
After a preliminary medicine internship at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor, London completed his neurology residency at the University of Michigan, where he remained for a fellowship in clinical neurophysiology and electromyography.

Career

In 2006, London joined the faculty at the University of Michigan as a neuromuscular specialist. He has published on the use of electromyography and nerve conduction studies as diagnostic tools and on pain during these studies.
He later became director of the residency program. He has published extensively on educational techniques in neurology medical education, and on the residency and fellowship process.
He is a fellow of the American Academy of Neurology and has been involved with the Graduate Education subcommittee. He is active in the American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine and is a mentor on the Young Leadership Council.

Game development and education

London has focused his academic scholarship on the development of interactive educational tools. In 2007, London created a web-based tool to teach electromyography called EMG Whiz. He later developed two free mobile apps, Nerve Whiz and Neuro Localizer to teach the basics of neurological localization.
In 2015, with his colleague James Burke, London developed an educational board game called The Lesion: Charcot's Tournament. This was funded by the Jerry Isler Neuromuscular Fund.
Additional games have included:The PlexusCranial Vault with Cory DobsonForamina! with Mikaela Stiver Endowed Chairs: Neurology and Endowed Chairs: Pediatrics with Alison ChristyNeurdle with Alison ChristyRooticleDictation Errors with Jordan NewmanBattle Thunder Worm with Malcolm London and Micah Wolkenberg
London also works to teach neurologists to develop games for neurology education and to use games for neurology education.

Hard Taco Project

London started recording one song every month in 1993, under the name "Hard Taco Project." He creates a song for every board game he makes. Songs are available at his website, and have been on Spotify starting in 2023.
London also makes videos using puppets for parody songs, with his students and wife Lauren Schwartz London, often to educate about topics in neurology or illustrate underlying issues in the culture of medicine.

Awards and honors

Select publications

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