Chun Zhou

  • Assistant Professor, Biology
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  2. Chun Zhou
Dr. Chun Zhou

Dr. Chun Zhou is an Assistant Professor of Biology in the Department of Natural Sciences, School of Health and Natural Sciences. After receiving his medical degree and Ph.D. in Immunology from Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China, Dr. Zhou was invited to conduct research in molecular genetics with a postdoctoral fellowship award at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), one of the institutes of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). He also did research in molecular and cellular biology as Associate Research Scientist and Assistant Professor at Columbia University. Dr. Zhou has published more than 20 original research articles in peer-reviewed journals. After joining Mercy University in 2014, Dr. Zhou has taught various biology courses, including genetics, immunology, general biology, microbiology, and biochemistry.

At Mercy University, Dr. Zhou has established an original research program to study telomere regulation in Drosophila melanogaster. By participating in this research through Dr. Zhou's research courses, undergraduate students have made scientific findings, presented their work at regional and national research conferences, and received national conference awards. Dr. Zhou has also completed several research projects in developing new pedagogical methods, and his work has been published in well-recognized biology teaching research journals. Finally, his collaboration with other scientists allows Mercy students to conduct research shared by other R1 research institutions such as the University of California at Davis.

Devoted to promoting Mercy students' academic advancement, Dr. Zhou serves as the Chapter Advisor for the TriBeta biology honor society for biology students. He also provides research training to CSTEP students through summer research programs. In the Mercy community, Dr. Zhou has served as a member of several committees and the Co-Activity Director of a University grant.

Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology (P. R. China)

      Ph.D. (Immunology)

Tongji Medical University (P. R. China)

      Bachelor of Medicine (Clinical Medicine)

Research in Teaching

1) How can we promote deep learning in in-class group studies?

Research in Biology

1) How are the telomere length and structure regulated in Drosophila melanogaster at the molecular and cellular levels?

2) How do antibodies recognize DNA secondary structures at the molecular level?

3) How can we improve enzyme activity and stability through computational modeling and mutatgenesis? (Collaborative study with other universities and colleges)

Dr. Zhou has more than eight years of experience teaching and advising biology students in both in-person and online classes at Mercy University. As the course coordinator, he teaches BIOL 360 (Genetics) every semester. He has also taught the following courses at Mercy University. 

  •       BIOL 160/160A - General Biology I Lecture/Lab
  •       BIOL 161/161A - General Biology II Lecture/Lab
  •       BIOL 265/265A - Microbiology Lecture/Lab
  •       BIOL 310 - Immunology
  •       BIOL 355 - Molecular Biology of the Cell
  •       BIOL370 - Biology Research I
  •       BIOL 441 - Advanced Research in Molecular Genetics
  •       BIOL460/461 - Coordinating Seminar in Biology
  •       CHEM 354 - Biochemistry

Representative Peer Reviewed Journal Articles

  • Mendez A, Brioso J, Jaramillo A, Premawardena D, Cunningham E, Sarran-Armogan L, and Zhou C*. Use of digital whiteboard to engage undergraduates in online studies of instructor-generated biological diagrams. Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education. 2022. 23, e00195-21. https://doi.org/10.1128/jmbe.00195-21. (*: Corresponding author)

  • Zhou C* and Lewis M. A mobile technology-based cooperative learning platform for undergraduate biology courses in common college classrooms. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education. 2021. 49, 427-440. https://doi.org/10.1002/bmb.21496. (*: Corresponding author)

  • Zhou C*. Lessons from the unexpected adoption of online teaching for an undergraduate genetics course with lab classes. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education. 2020. 48, 460-463. https://doi.org/10.1002/bmb.21400. (*: Corresponding author)

  • Ma J, Huang C, Yao X, Shi C, Sun L, Yuan L, Lei P, Zhu H, Liu H, Wu X, Ning Q, Zhou C*, and Shen G*. Inhibition of hepatitis B virus and induction of hepatoma cell apoptosis by ASGPR-directed delivery of shRNAs. PLoS One. 2012. 7, e46096. (*: Co-corresponding author).

  • Swayne TC*, Zhou C*, Boldogh IR*, Charalel JK, McFaline-Figueroa JR, Thoms S, Yang S, Leung G, Mclnnes J, Erdmann R, and Pon LA. Role for cER and Mmr1p in anchorage of mitochondria at sites of polarized surface growth in budding yeast. Current Biology. 2011. 21, 1994-1999. (*: Co-first author)

  • Vives-Bauza C*, Zhou C*, Huang Y*, Cui M, de Vries RL, Kim J, May J, Tocilescu MA, Liu W, Ko HS, Magrané J, Moore DJ, Dawson VL, Grailhe R, Dawson TM, Li C, Tieu K, and Przedborski S. PINK1-dependent recruitment of Parkin to mitochondria in mitophagy. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 2010. 107, 378-383. (*: Co-first author)

  • Li Y, Liu W, Oo TF, Wang L, Tang Y, Jackson-Lewis V, Zhou C, Geghman K, Bogdanov M, Przedborski S, Beal MF, Burke RE, and Li C. Mutant LRRK2 (R1441G) BAC transgenic mice recapitulate cardinal features of Parkinson’s disease. Nature Neuroscience. 2009. 12, 826-828.

  • Zhou C, Huang Y, Shao Y, May J, Prou D, Perier C, Dauer W, Schon EA, and Przedborski S. The kinase domain of mitochondrial PINK1 faces the cytoplasm. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 2008. 105, 12022-12027.

  • Zhou C and Przedborski S. Intrabody and Parkinson’s disease. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta – Molecular Basis of Disease. 2008. 1792, 634-642. (Invited review)

  • Lynch SM, Zhou C, and Messer A. An scFv intrabody against the nonamyloid component of alpha-synuclein reduces intracellular aggregation and toxicity. Journal of Molecular Biology. 2008. 377, 136-147.
  • Zhou C, Emadi S, Sierks MR, and Messer A. A human single-chain Fv intrabody blocks aberrant cellular effects of overexpressed alpha-synuclein. Molecular Therapy. 2004. 10, 1023-1031.
  • Siriaco GM, Cenci G, Haoudi A, Champion LE, Zhou C, Gatti M, and Mason JM. Telomere elongation (Tel), a new mutation in Drosophila melanogaster that produces long telomeres. Genetics. 2002. 160, 235-245.

  • Zhou C, Shen G, Zhu H, Yang J, Zhang Y, Feng J, and Shen B. Construction and analysis of three-dimensional graphic model of single-chain Fv derived from an anti-human placental acidic isoferritin monoclonal antibody by computer. Journal of Tongji Medical University. 2000. 20, 23-25.

  • Zhou C, Shao J, Wang X, Zhu H, Zhang Y, Xiong W, and Shen G. cDNA sequence analysis of monoclonal antibodies against the human placental acidic isoferritin. Hybridoma. 1998. 17, 275-282.

Book Chapters

  • Zhou C. Overview of cell-free systems for the study of Parkinson’s disease. In: Parkinson’s Disease: Molecular and Therapeutic Insights from Model Systems (Richard Nass and Serge Przedborski, Eds.). Academic Press. 2008. pp. 539-544.
  • A nominee of the Teaching Excellence Award (2021~2022 academic year), Mercy University, New York, NY
  • Louise T. Squitieri Family Faculty Development Award (2020), Mercy University, New York, NY
  • Excellent Doctoral Dissertation Award of Hubei Province (2002), Hubei Provincial Academic Degrees Committee and the Department of Education of Hubei Province, P. R. China
  • Postdoctoral Fellowship Award (2000), National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, U.S.A.
  • Outstanding Graduate Student Award (1996), Tongji Medical University, P. R. China
  • Lianbang Award for Excellent Graduate Student (1996), Tongji Medical University, P. R. China

Grants

1) 02/2022: Faculty Senate Micro-Grant (Grant title: High-impact influence on biology students via attending a biennial national TriBeta conference; Role: Co-Investigator; Funding agency: Mercy University)

2) 01/2020: Faculty Senate Micro-Grant (Grant title: Promoting undergraduate biology research through attending an international research conference; Role: Investigator; Funding agency: Mercy University)

3) 12/2019: Faculty Development Grant (Grant title: Identification of telomere regulating genes in Drosophila melanogaster; Role: Investigator; Funding agency: Mercy University)

4) 05/2018: Teaching Innovation Microgrant (Grant title: Facilitating project-based group study with technology; Role: Investigator; Funding agency: Mercy University)

5) 12/2016: Faculty Development Grant (Grant title: Molecular mechanisms of gene regulation; Role: Investigator; Funding agency: Mercy University)

6) 07/2011: Pilot Research Grant (Grant title: Investigation of a role for manganese in regulating mitochondrial dynamics; Role: Co-Principal Investigator; Funding agency: NIEHS Center for Environmental Health in Northern Manhattan)

7) 07/2004: Individual Research Grant (Grant title: Generation of anti-alpha-synuclein intrabody for in vivo therapy in Parkinson disease; Role: Principal Investigator; Funding agency: National Parkinson Foundation)