Zachary P. Howard
SANFRANCISCO,CA
Summary
Dedicated scientist with strong expertise in research methodologies, data analysis, and scientific writing. Proven ability to collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams and adapt to evolving project needs. Skilled in experimental design, statistical analysis, and advanced laboratory techniques. Known for delivering impactful results and consistently driving projects to successful completion.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Postdoctoral researcher
Ernst Lab, Division of Experimental Medicine, UCSF
07.2025 - Current
- Leveraged a genetically encoded proximity labeling system to study CD4 T cell interactions in the lungs during Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection using multiple single cell analysis techniques, including single cell RNA sequencing
- Developed a model to investigate the capacity of CD4 T cell responses to select for specific M. tuberculosis strains during infection in vivo
- Incorporated multiple fluorescent reporters in a mixed infection model to determine bacterial strain prevalence by colony enumeration, flow cytometry, and spatial analysis
- Utilized machine learning classification to perform spatial analysis of lung tissue sections
Graduate student researcher
Ernst Lab, Division of Experimental Medicine, UCSF
01.2020 - 06.2025
- Led a project aimed at characterizing the T cell response to a novel group of Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens with the goal of developing a promising vaccine candidate
- Developed multiple novel assays to assess immune cell responses and disease progression in mice incorporating flow cytometry, in vivo labeling, and tissue immunofluorescence and microscopy
- Generated novel vaccines and evaluated their efficacy in mice
- Trained personnel and developed SOPs for high containment (Biosafety Level 3) work
- Planned and executed long term experiments spanning months to years to complete evaluation of candidate vaccines
- Managed collaborations with multiple groups within the US and internationally
Undergraduate researcher
Omsland Lab, Allen School for Global Animal Health, WSU
05.2017 - 07.2019
- Led project analyzing response of bacterial pathogen Coxiella burnetii to mammalian host produced steroid hormones
- Designed experiments utilizing axenic bacterial culture, mammalian cell culture, fluorescent microscopy, qPCR, ELISA, 2D gel electrophoresis, immunocytochemistry, and western blotting
Undergraduate researcher
Goodman Lab, School of Molecular Biosciences, WSU
10.2015 - 05.2017
- Performed research for multiple projects involving both animal models, fruit flies, and insect and mammalian tissue culture, with an emphasis on innate immunity
- Developed R (programming language) scripts for data analysis and visualization
Education
PhD - Biomedical Sciences
University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
01-2025
BS - Genetics and Cell Biology
Washington State University (WSU)
01-2019
Skills
- Conventional and spectral flow cytometry
- Magnetic and flow cytometry assisted cell sorting
- Mammalian cell culture
- Immunofluorescence microscopy and analysis
- Confocal and light sheet microscopy
- Bacterial cell culture
- BSL-3 laboratory work
- Assay development
- Scientific writing and presentations
- Statistical and advanced computational analysis
PUBLICATIONS
- Zachary P. Howard, Alexander Mohapatra, Weihao Zheng, Joel D. Ernst. A Mycobacterium tuberculosis rare variable antigen vaccine reduces lung pathology in hypersusceptible SP140-/- mice. Front. Tuberc. Published. June 2026.
- Zachary P. Howard and Joel D. Ernst. T cells mediate within-host selection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Manuscript in preparation. 2026.
- Zachary P. Howard and Joel D. Ernst. Mycobacterium tuberculosis promotes CD4 T cell interactions with bystander macrophages during infection. Manuscript in preparation. 2026.
- Weihao Zheng, Jason D. Limberis, Zachary P. Howard, Alexander Mohapatra, Enzo Takagi, Joel D. Ernst.Impaired IFNγ responsiveness of monocyte-derived lung cells limits immunity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Nat Commun. Published. June 2026.
- Lea Fromont, Aizat Iman Abdul Hamid, Elisabeth Bellard, Zachary P. Howard, Sarah Monard, Jean-Philippe Girard, Etienne Meunier, Denis Hudrisier, Olivier Neyrolles, Serge Mazeres, Joel Ernst, and Emma Lefrançais. LiveLungTB: Intravital lung imaging of T cell dynamics during virulent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. J Exp Med. In revision (resubmitted). June 2026.
- Elise W. Wolf, Zachary P. Howard, Lihui Duan, Hanson Tam, Ying Xu, Jason G. Cyster. GPR174 signals via Gαs to control a CD86-containing gene expression program in B cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. Published. June 2022.
- Rosa M. Guzman#, Zachary P. Howard#, Ziying Liu, Ryan D. Oliveira, Alisha T. Massa, Anders Omsland, Stephen N. White, Alan G. Goodman. Natural genetic variation in Drosophila melanogaster reveals genes associated with Coxiella burnetii. Genetics. Published. March 2021.
- Zachary P. Howard and Anders Omsland. Selective Inhibition of Coxiella burnetii replication by the steroid hormone progesterone. Infect. Immune. Published. July 2020.
- Reginaldo G. Bastos#, Zachary P. Howard#, Aoi Hiroyasu, Alan G. Goodman. Host and bacterial factors control susceptibility of Drosophila melanogaster to Coxiella burnetii infection. Infect. Immun. Published 20 June 2017.
AWARDS
iMicro T32 Training Grant – UCSF
F31 Fellowship – AI172360-01
Bay Area Tuberculosis Science Symposium Poster Award
Keystone Symposia Scholarship – Tuberculosis: Host Pathogen Interface
iMicro T32 Training Grant – UCSF
Ralph H. Kellogg Endowed Chancellor’s Fellowship – UCSF
Summa Cum Laude – WSU
Barry M. Goldwater Scholar
STARS Scholarship – WSU
Timeline
Postdoctoral researcher
Ernst Lab, Division of Experimental Medicine, UCSF
07.2025 - Current
Graduate student researcher
Ernst Lab, Division of Experimental Medicine, UCSF
01.2020 - 06.2025
Undergraduate researcher
Omsland Lab, Allen School for Global Animal Health, WSU
05.2017 - 07.2019
Undergraduate researcher
Goodman Lab, School of Molecular Biosciences, WSU
10.2015 - 05.2017
PhD - Biomedical Sciences
University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
BS - Genetics and Cell Biology
Washington State University (WSU)