Joseph Zackular, PhD

Assistant Professor, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania

Joe is originally from North Reading, Massachusetts and he received his B.S. and M.S from The University of Massachusetts-Amherst. He earned his Ph.D. in Microbiology & Immunology from the University of Michigan in the laboratory of Dr. Patrick Schloss, where he studied the role of the gut microbiome in colorectal cancer. Joe did his postdoctoral training in the laboratory of Dr. Eric Skaar at Vanderbilt University where he studied the impact of nutritional immunity and dietary metals on Clostridium difficile infection. Research in my laboratory is at the intersection of microbiology, immunology, and biochemistry. We are interested in understanding the molecular interactions between the host, microbiota, and gastrointestinal pathogens during health and disease. I have been performing research on bacterial pathogenesis and microbiota-associated diseases for over 10 years. During this time, I have become an expert in diverse fields that span microbial ecology, molecular biology, immunology and biochemistry, and I have built both wet lab and bioinformatic skillsets.

Website: zackularlab.org

Areas of Support

  • Preparing for the next step with mentee's career

  • Advising on the job search

  • Improving teaching

  • Improving mentoring skills

  • Increasing visibility / reputation

  • Managing time and competing priorities

  • Learning how to network

  • Improving organizational skills

  • Developing negotiation skills

  • Navigating politics in the workplace

  • Practicing self-advocacy

  • Growing in effective communication

  • Practicing work/life balance or work/life integration

  • Holding mentee accountable to deadlines / commitments

Mentoring Style

  • Cheerleader: This type of mentor cheers on mentees and notices their progress. If a mentee makes a mistake, the cheerleader focuses on how the mistake will help the mentee grow.

  • Ideator: The ideator is a mentor that helps mentees brainstorm and think big. This mentoring style focuses on thinking, planning, and dreaming.

About Me

I love to work with all kinds of trainees regardless of their backgrounds, personalities, and interests. I learn from each mentor-mentee relationship that I build. I am dedicated to continuing to build and foster a diverse, inclusive, healthy, and fun work environment and community at CHOP. I look forward to being a part of this program.