Dr. Ziba

Dr. Ziba is an educator, researcher, and mentor with nearly 20 years of experience guiding students in STEM and healthcare pathways. She has led programs supporting underrepresented, first-generation, transfer, and direct-entry students, helping them navigate research, graduate school applications, and professional development. Throughout her career, she has personally mentored hundreds of students from diverse backgrounds and also guided graduate students in teaching, research, and STEM career pathways, preparing emerging scholars for success in academia and beyond. Dr. Ziba earned her Ph.D. in Cell & Molecular Biology from Yale University and completed postdoctoral research in Mechanobiology at the University of Pennsylvania; she also holds a B.S. in Biology from UCLA and an M.S. in Developmental Biology from California State University, Northridge. Her research has resulted in multiple publications and been supported by prestigious fellowships from the NIH and the American Heart Association. A passionate advocate for inclusive and equity-driven education, Dr. Ziba brings a strategic, empathetic, and impact-driven approach to mentorship. Outside of work, she enjoys meditation, working out, and salsa dancing.