Doctoral Candidate, IPN
Medical Center Graduate Student Organization President
GU Reconciliation Fund 272 Vice Chair
Research Interests: Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration
Advisor: Dr. Kathy Maguire-Zeiss
Rotations: Dr. Mark Burns, Dr. Rebekah Evans, Dr. Kathy Maguire-Zeiss
Prior Education: University of Washington, BS-Microbiology, Georgetown University, MS-Integrative Neuroscience
Zac Colon (he/him) developed a passion for science after reading *The Hot Zone and learning about the Ebola virus. He earned a B.S. in Microbiology from the University of Washington, where he studied the immune system’s role in viral infections, focusing on Kaposi-sarcoma-related herpesvirus. After graduating, Zac worked at the Institute for Environmental Health, researching foodborne pathogens and toxins, including hemorrhagic E. coli, Clostridium difficile, and aflatoxin from Aspergillus flavus. His interest in neuroscience was sparked by his father, a retired Navy SEAL, who battled a brain tumor and PTSD. In 2016, Zac began volunteering at the VA Hospital in Seattle, working with the inpatient neurological unit, and at Provail Seattle Brainworks, a rehabilitation clinic for stroke and traumatic brain injury.
In 2020, he enrolled in Georgetown’s Master’s in Integrative Neuroscience program under Dr. Mark Burns, studying hippocampal memory formation in the context of mild traumatic brain injury and normal memory development. He later matriculated into Georgetown’s Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience in 2021, where he now researches how aging and neuroinflammation impact perineuronal nets (PNNs) in the dorsal striatum. PNNs surround fast-spiking inhibitory neurons and play a crucial role in neuronal plasticity. Zac is also a strong advocate for climate change action, DEIA initiatives, and scientific outreach.