Interview with Dr. Zarbalis

Dr. Konstantinos Zarbalis, Ph.D., is a laboratory neurologist who talks with us about how his interest in science has shaped his life and career. He is the Associate Professor at the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine of UC Davis Medical Center. Dr. Zarbalis currently works on research related to autism and birth defects, and for his work, he has received an Explorer Award from the Nancy Lurie Marks Family Foundation.

As a child, Dr. Zarbalis loved science and learning about the natural world and the laws that governed it. By the age of 10, he had already decided that he would have a career in science. In middle school, he decided that he wanted to be a part of biology. Since there were many different fields of study that got his attention, Dr. Zarbalis faced challenges in his specialization. Eventually, by going through undergraduate and graduate school, he figured out that he wanted to be part of neurobiology and pathology. Dr. Zarbalis said, “I didn’t have a clear idea of the exact field of biology I would like to work in later on until quite late.” He says that he believes deciding a specialization usually happens around graduate school, but that it can be beneficial to decide on one earlier. Still, Dr. Zarbalis was not left without demanding work after choosing neurobiology. While in graduate school for neurobiology, he had to complete experiments and research that had to be practical, which proved to be quite the challenge. He notes, “You have to put in many hours and be very productive to get to where you want to be,”

Amidst all adversity, Dr. Zarbalis still holds the same passion for science and the world as he did in middle school. Now, research is especially something that he loves. He enjoys completing papers and studies that take years to compile. He says that the feeling of completing a paper is like no other. Dr. Zarbalis encourages students to enter the pathology field if they enjoy it too, and his advice to students prompts them to share the same passion for their career like he does. He asks, “For people that are conflicted, the key question that you have to answer to yourself is:..Is this really something that motivates you?” Just as neurobiology served as his own motivation, he encourages students to chase their dreams, whether it is STEM related or not. Dr. Zarbalis pursued neurobiology because of his interest in science, and this passion has led to a 20+ year career, and he shows no signs of stopping anytime soon.