Zavros

Diagnosing and treating rare diseases, like Cushing’s syndrome, shouldn’t take over a decade. Yet, it took me 16 years to receive a diagnosis. Even then, the treatments were not specific to the disease. This disappointment became my driving force to establish a research program dedicated to addressing the inefficiencies in diagnosing and treating rare diseases. At the University of Georgia, I have the incredible opportunity to build and lead a research center that translates lab discoveries into clinical practice and improving patient outcomes earlier.

Our center is built on interdisciplinary collaboration, drawing expertise from oncologists, surgeons, clinicians, and even veterinarians, to accelerate scientific discovery. One notable project I worked on before coming to UGA focuses on transforming pre-clinical findings into a phase 2 clinical trial for metastatic pancreatic cancer, providing a patient with nearly two years of disease stability—an extraordinary feat in this field. Hearing stories of patients gaining precious time with their families motivates me to push the boundaries of what our research can achieve. I am looking forward to working with the UGA team to continue making a meaningful impact on medicine.

My passion lies in research and science, particularly in the lab. The thrill of designing experiments that could lead to meaningful clinical impacts is what I truly love about my work. UGA’s supportive and collaborative environment was a major factor in deciding to come here. I am honored and proud to be part of a team working across multiple colleges to enhance our infrastructure and drive our mission to make a lasting impact on health care.