Amanda Zirzow

Biography

Professor Amanda Zirzow is a dedicated educator and research scientist with a passion for integrating hands-on research into undergraduate education. She holds both a Master of Science and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from George Mason University and spent two years at Georgetown University, where she passed her qualifying exam for her PhD before pursuing opportunities in field research. With extensive experience in teaching and research, Zirzow has been an active member of the FSW faculty since 2016, where she teaches courses in General Biology and Microbiology.

Zirzow’s teaching philosophy emphasizes active learning and student engagement. In her microbiology course, students have the unique opportunity to participate in real-world research through her ongoing project, Isolation and Characterization of Soil-Derived Streptomyces Species for Novel Antibiotic Activity. This initiative not only advances the field of microbiology but also provides her students with rare, hands-on research experience, elevating their academic and career prospects.

Beyond the classroom, Zirzow is actively involved in various environmental and community initiatives. She serves as a Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum and Aquarium Shell Ambassador and is a dedicated Calusa Waterkeeper ranger, roles that align with her commitment to environmental conservation and public education. Zirzow is also an avid scuba diver and outdoor enthusiast, often incorporating her love for nature into her teaching and community outreach.

Zirzow's artistic side is a vibrant extension of her connection to the natural world. Her color-infused paintings, inspired by the beauty of nature, are celebrated in the local art scene. Her work has been featured in several solo exhibits, including the Alliance for the Arts and the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, and she is a proud member of the Arts for ACT Gallery.

Her multifaceted career and commitment to both science and art reflect a deep appreciation for the natural world and a desire to share that passion with others.

Research (Publications, Presentations, and Other Projects)

• Visit Prof. Amanda Zirzow’s ORCID profile for detailed information on publications, research activities, and academic contributions: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-1201-7955

• Zirzow, A. (2024). Exploring Microbial Diversity: An Interactive In-Class Assignment for Biology and Microbiology Courses. QUBES Educational Resources. doi:10.25334/0XZS-4E72

• Rosenwald, A. G., Arora, G., Ferrandino, R., Gerace, E. L., Mohammednetej, M., Nosair, W., Rattila, S., Subic, A. Z., & Rolfes, R. (2016). Identification of Genes in Candida glabrata Conferring Altered Responses to Caspofungin, a Cell Wall Synthesis Inhibitor. G3 (Bethesda, Md.), 6(9), 2893–2907. https://doi.org/10.1534/g3.116.032490

• Hanover, John & Bondy, Carolyn & Cheng, Clara & Bakalov, Vladimir & Zirzow, Amanda & Olivier-Van Stichelen, Stéphanie & Love, Dona. (2013). OGT is an X-linked imprinted gene linked to Cardiovascular Disease Susceptibility. 1388-1389.

• J.M. Estep, Z. Goodman, A. Zirzow, A. Afendy, H. Elariny, A. Baranova, Z.M. Younossi, 1268 DIFFERENTIAL EXPRESSION OF HEPATIC FAS AND ITS LIGAND FASLG EXPRESSION IN NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE (NAFLD), Journal of Hepatology, Volume 56, Supplement 2, 2012, Page S501, ISSN 0168-8278, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-8278(12)61280-X. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016882781261280X)

• Zirzow, A.C. et al. (2010). Nanoscale “DNA Baskets” for the Delivery of siRNA. In: Herold, K.E., Vossoughi, J., Bentley, W.E. (eds) 26th Southern Biomedical Engineering Conference SBEC 2010, April 30 – May 2, 2010, College Park, Maryland, USA. IFMBE Proceedings, vol 32. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-14998-6_34

• Estep, Michael & Stepanova, Maria & Zirzow, Amanda & Hossain, Noreen & Elarainy, Hazem & Baraki, Yaqub & Moazzez, Amir & Goodman, Zachary & Chandhoke, Vikas & Baranova, Ancha & Younossi, Zobair. (2010). Baseline Serum Obestatin Correlates with Rate of Weight Loss after Bariatric Surgery. S37-S38.

Courses (Classes Taught Regularly)

• BSC 1010 GENERAL BIOLOGY I

• BSC 1010L GENERAL BIOLOGY I LABORATORY

• BSC 1011 GENERAL BIOLOGY II

• BSC 1011L GENERAL BIOLOGY II LABORATORY

• MCB 2010C MICROBIOLOGY

• BSC 2910 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH

College and Community Service

• FSW Honors Advisory Council

• National STEM Festival Judge

• Calusa Waterkeeper Advisory Council Member

• Shell Ambassador, Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium

• Member Artist, Arts for ACT Gallery

Awards and Recognition

• Academic Research Council Grant Award

• Ecological Society of America (ESA) 4DEE Education Scholar

• RUI University Fellow, Naples, FL

• Technical Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA) Fellow, NIH