Christopher R. Zito, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biology
Contact:
E-mail: czito@usj.edu
Department Webpage: Biology
Inspired by his father — a former science teacher — to pursue the sciences, Dr. Zito remains amazed by “the incredible machine we call the human body.” He applies his passion to his work both as a professor at USJ and a clinical researcher at Yale University Medical School in the Department of Medical Oncology where he works in cancer research.
At University of Saint Joseph, Dr. Zito readily shares his laboratory research experience and knowledge of the biological sciences with students, providing them with a distinctive teaching style focused on “real life” applicability. His work in the lab, including patient case studies, shapes his teaching.
“I believe you can teach a student a lesson for a day, for a week, even for a year, and while some lessons are retained, most are forgotten,” he said. “It is the spark of curiosity, though, that gives a student the tools to learn, and makes her a student for life.” Students in his classes are “sparked” by Dr. Zito’s real-life passion, knowledge, and expertise.
Academic Degrees:
Ph.D., Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, Wesleyan University
M.S., Cellular & Molecular Biology, University of New Haven
B.S., Biological & Physical Sciences, Albertus Magnus College
Recent Research/Publications/Presentations:
Jilaveanu LB, Zito CR, Aziz SA, Schmitz JC, Sznol M, Camp RL, Rimm DL, and Kluger HM. C-Raf is Associated with Disease Progression and Cell Proliferation in a Subset of Melanomas. (Currently accepted for Publication in Clinical Cancer Research)
Aziz SA, Davies M, Pick E, Zito CR, Jilaveanu, LB, Camp RL, Halaban R, Rimm DL, Kluger Y, and Kluger HM Phosphatidylinositol-3-Kinase (PI3K) as a therapeutic target in melanoma. Clinical Cancer Research. 2009 May 1: 15(9): 3029-36.
Jilaveanu LB, Zito CR, Lee SJ, Nathanson KL, Camp RL, Rimm DL, Flaherty KT, and Kluger HM. Expression of sorafenib targets in melanoma patients treated with carboplatin, paclitaxel, and sorafenib. Clinical Cancer Research 2009 Feb 1: 15(3): 1076-85.
Jilaveanu LB, Zito CR, Oliver DB. Dimeric SecA is essential for protein translocation. P.N.A.S. (USA) 2005 May 24;102(21):7511-6.
Zito CR, Antony E, Hunt JF, Hingorani MM, and Oliver DB. Mutation of a conserved glutamate residue in E.coli SecA reveals its complex role in ATP binding and hydrolysis. J Biol Chem. 2005 Apr 15;280(15):14611-9
Zito CR and Oliver, D. Two-stage binding of SecA to the bacterial translocon regulates ribosome-translocon interaction. J. Biol. Chem. 2003 Oct 17; 278(42):40640-40646.
Morrow BA, Elsworth JD, Zito C, Roth RH. Biochemical and behavioral anxiolytic-like effects of R(+)HA-966 at the level of the ventral tegmental area in rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 1999 Apr;143(3):227-34.
Eitzer BD, Iannucci-Berger WA, Mark G, Zito C. Fate of toxic compounds during composting. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 1997 Jun;58(6):953-60.
