Daniel Zajic
Daniel Zajic
Assistant Professor
Cook Hall 115
Daniel completed his Ph.D. in biology at Portland State University (PSU) under the supervision of Dr. Jason Podrabsky. Before PSU, he attended Whitman College (Walla Walla, WA), where he received his B.A. in biology. Daniel was fortunate enough to attend a private small liberal arts college, where teaching and undergraduate mentoring were highly emphasized. This emphasis has stuck with him and he continues that in his career as an educator and mentor.
As a first-generation American and college graduate and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Daniel recognizes that having role models with whom students can relate to has a powerful effect on them. He views mentoring as an opportunity for him to promote the representation of underrepresented groups in the scientific community, by encouraging scientific growth of students that have had limited exposure to research.
In his spare time, you can find him in the kitchen mixing up a batch of cookie dough, crafting up a cocktail, or watching the Portland Trail Blazers play. Perhaps you may see a baked good coming to a classroom near you.
Learn more about Daniel’s teaching, research and hobbies.
Education
- B.A., biology, Whitman College
- Ph.D., biology, Portland State University
Academic interests
Teaching
Daniel primarily teaches Human Anatomy (BIOL 212) and Human Anatomy II (HHPA 412). Through teaching these courses, he has developed a passion for human biology that he enjoys sharing with his students. Through his firm belief in evidence-based teaching, he has been able to implement active learning (AL) strategies to decrease the achievement gap for underrepresented populations. He strives to build a classroom environment based on inclusion and equity. By using AL, he has encouraged students to think critically and engage in class material, rather than simply memorize it.
In 2023, he won the Edith Green Distinguished Professor Award at Linfield University for recognition of sustained excellence in the classroom and contribution to the intellectual growth and academic success of individual students.
Research
Daniel’s research focuses on the physiological mechanisms that allow for vertebrate survival during exposures to anoxia (no oxygen). He has been investigating the neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and its role in survival of embryos of the annual killifish, Austrofundulus limnaeus, during bouts of no oxygen. Daniel believes that nature, through evolution, has already solved many problems that cause or contribute to human diseases. By studying organisms that have evolved to survive in conditions that challenge human physiology or cause damage to human tissues, we can better understand how to treat and prevent these diseases in humans.
Publications
Goodwin, E.C., Anokhin, V., Gray, M.J., Zajic, D.E., Podrabsky, J.E., Shortlidge, E.E. 2021. Is this Science? Students’ Experiences of Failure Make a Research-Based Course Feel Authentic. CBE—Life Sciences Education. DOI: 10.1187/cbe.20-07-0149.
Zajic, D.E. and Podrabsky, J.E. 2020. GABA metabolism is crucial for long-term survival of anoxia in annual killifish embryos. Journal of Experimental Biology. DOI: 10.1242/jeb.229716 (Finalist for outstanding paper of the year in journal).
Zajic, D.E. and Podrabsky, J.E. 2020. Metabolomics analysis provides insight on survival of annual killifish (Austrofundulus limnaeus) embryos during dehydration stress. Physiological Genomics. 52(9), 408-422. DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00072.2020.
Zajic, D.E., Nicholson, J.P., and Podrabsky, J.E. 2020. No water, no problem: Stage-specific metabolic responses to dehydration stress in annual killifish embryos. Journal of Experimental Biology. DOI: 10.1242/jeb.231985.
Riggs, C.L., Le, R., Kültz, D., Zajic, D., Summers, A., Alvarez, L., & Podrabsky, J.E. 2019. Establishment and characterization of an Anoxia-Tolerant Cell Line, PSU-AL-WS40NE, Derived from the Annual Killifish Austrofundulus limnaeus. Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry, Part B. 10.1016/j.cbpb.2019.02.008 Riggs et al 2019.