Nina C. Zanetti

My Siena Experience

What I Love About Siena

 I’m allowed to teach courses that interest me and that have small class sizes

My Favorite Courses to Teach

My major love in biology is “morphology”, which involves the structure of living things, especially at the microscope level, and how that structure relates to function. I’m also interested in how the structures of cells, tissues, and organs develop in vertebrate embryos, and how structure/function relationships sometimes fail in diseased tissues. In my courses, I try to convey my enthusiasm about both the relevence and the intrinsic beauty of these subjects to my students.

My Professional Experience

Current Research

Although I did graduate research in Cell Biology, with a thesis on cilia, my postdoctoral studies at the University of Iowa led me to change my research interests to the area of developmental biology. My experimental organism is the chick embryo, a great model systems because they are easy to obtain, they feed themselves, and they don't bite! Chick embryos also are quite similar to humans in their early development, and therefore a study of chick development can reveal much about human embryology.  My research over the years has focused on a variety of topics, including: the development of skeletal tissues; tissue interactions in vertebrate limb development; development of tissue patterns in the vertebrate limb; the role of the cytoskeleton in cell differentiation; and the distribution of endocrine receptors in developing embryos.  Students in my lab have approached these questions by using techniques of tissue culture, immunohistochemistry, and basic histology.

In addition to research, I enjoy doing digital photomicrography and have published photomicrographs in several popular textbooks and lab atlases. Also, I frequently present workshops to other college faculty on methods for incorporating histology and pathology into undergraduate curricula.

Representative Publications

Zanetti, N.C. and M. Solursh. 1989. Effect of Cell Shape on Cartilage Differentiation. In Cell Shape: Determinants, Regulation, and Regulatory Role. Stein and Bronner, ed. Academic Press.

Zanetti, N.C., V.M. Dress and M. Solursh. 1990. Comparison between Ectoderm-Conditioned Medium and Fibronectin in Their Effects on Chondrogenesis by Limb Bud Mesenchymal Cells.Devel. Bio. 139:383-395.

Zanetti, NC. 2005.  Using Histopathology to teach Histology to Undergraduates. 

HAPS Educator, Spring, 2005.  p. 9 - 10.

Articles & Book Reviews

• The Histology Challenge: how it came about, how it works now, and thoughts about the future of this dynamic HAPS website feature. HAPS Educator. November 2014.
  HAPS-EDucator [Human Anatomy & Physiology Society]
  2014
• Contribution to EduSnippets' feature
  HAPS-EDucator [Human Anatomy & Physiology Society]
  2012
• Contribution to 'EduSnippets' feature
  HAPS-EDucator [Human Anatomy & Physiology Society]
  2010
• Development and DIsease: Embryoological stories that can enhance an A&P course
  HAPS-EDucator [Human Anatomy & Physiology Society]
  2010
• See one, learn one, teach one
  HAPS-EDucator [Human Anatomy & Physiology Society]
  2009
• General Models in Histology
  HAPS-EDucator [Human Anatomy & Physiology Society]
  2005
• Using Histopathology to teach Histology to Undergraduates
  HAPS-EDucator [Human Anatomy & Physiology Society]
  2005
• Long-term Projects for Morphology Courses
  HAPS-EDucator [Human Anatomy & Physiology Society]
  2003
• Novel Activities for Morphology Laboratories: Activities for use Within a Single Class Section
  HAPS-EDucator [Human Anatomy & Physiology Society]
  2003
• Methods for demonstrating and culturing live chick embryos for undergraduate teaching laboratories: a review
  HAPS-EDucator [Human Anatomy & Physiology Society], vol. 5
  2001
• One Department's Experience with Writing Across the Curriculum
  Voices, vol. 20
  1998
• Comparison between ectoderm-conditioned medium and fibronectin in their effects on chondrogenesis by limb bud mesenchymal cells
  Developmental Biology, vol. 139
  1990
• Possible role of fibronectin in epithelial inhibition of limb bud chondrogenesis
  Journal of Cell Biology
  1988
• Diffusible factor produced by limb ectoderm inhibits chondrogenesis by promoting cell spreading
  Journal of Cell Biology
  1987
• Epithelial effects on limb chondrogenesis involve extracellular matrix and cell shape
  Developmental Biology, vol. 113
  1985
• Epithelial effects on limb chondrogenesis involve extracellular matrix and the actin cytoskeleton
  Journal of Cell Biology
  1984
• Extracellular matrix mediates epithelial effects on chondrogenesis in vitro
  Developmental Biology, vol. 105
  1984
• Induction of chondrogenesis in limb mesenchymal cultures by disruption of the actin cytoskeleton
  Journal of Cell Biology, vol. 99
  1984
• Epithelial modification of extracellular matrix and the role of cell shape in limb cartilage differentiation
  Journal of Cell Biology
  1983
• Evidence for a role of 13S axonemal ATPase in modulation of ciliary microtubule sliding
  Cell Motility and the Cytoskeleton, vol. 2
  1981
• Effects of MgAPT2- and Ca2+ on microtubule sliding in isolated Tetrahymena cilia
  Journal of Cell Biology
  1980
• Properties of microtubule sliding disintegration in isolated Tetrahymena cilia
  Journal of Cell Biology, vol. 86
  1980
• Effects of divalent cations on dynein cross-bridging and ciliary microtubule sliding
  Journal of Cell Biology, vol. 80
  1979
• Divalent cation effects on ciliary dynein cross-bridges and microtubule sliding
  Journal of Cell Biology
  1978
• Mysteries at the Microscope: Histopathology Case Studies from the HAPS
  HAPS-EDucator [Human Anatomy & Physiology Society]
  Winter, 2015

Awards & Distinctions

• Invited instructor and performer at many national and international dulcimer conferences, including Kentucky Music Week, John C Campbell Folk School, Dulcimer U (Western Carolina University), Nonesuch Dulcimer Club (England), as well as many local historic sites and community events.
  
  Category: Other
  international dulcimer community, 2016
• Invited instructor and performer at many national and international dulcimer conferences, including Kentucky Music Week, John C Campbell Folk School, Dulcimer U (Western Carolina University), Nonesuch Dulcimer Club (England), as well as many local historic sites and community events.
  
  Category: Other
  international dulcimer community, 2015
• Invited instructor and performer at many national and international dulcimer conferences, including Kentucky Music Week, John C Campbell Folk School, Dulcimer U (Western Carolina University), Nonesuch Dulcimer Club (England), as well as many local historic sites and community events.
  
  Category: Other
  international dulcimer community, 2014
• Invited instructor and performer at many national and international dulcimer conferences, including Kentucky Music Week, John C Campbell Folk School, Dulcimer U (Western Carolina University), Nonesuch Dulcimer Club (England), as well as many local historic sites and community events.
  
  Category: Other
  international dulcimer community, 2013
• Invited instructor and performer at many national and international dulcimer conferences, including Kentucky Music Week, John C Campbell Folk School, Dulcimer U (Western Carolina University), Nonesuch Dulcimer Club (England), as well as many local historic sites and community events.
  
  Category: Other
  international dulcimer community, 2012
• Invited instructor and performer at many national and international dulcimer conferences, including Kentucky Music Week, John C Campbell Folk School, Dulcimer U (Western Carolina University), Nonesuch Dulcimer Club (England), as well as many local historic sites and community events.
  
  Category: Other
  international dulcimer community, 2011
• Invited instructor and performer at many national and international dulcimer conferences, including Kentucky Music Week, John C Campbell Folk School, Dulcimer U (Western Carolina University), Nonesuch Dulcimer Club (England), as well as many local historic sites and community events.
  
  Category: Other
  international dulcimer community, 2010
• Invited instructor and performer at many national and international dulcimer conferences, including Kentucky Music Week, John C Campbell Folk School, Dulcimer U (Western Carolina University), Nonesuch Dulcimer Club (England), as well as many local historic sites and community events.
  
  Category: Other
  international dulcimer community, 2009
• First Place Winner, National Mountain Dulcimer Championship. Walnut Vally Festival
  Category: Other
  First Place Winner, National Mountain Dulcimer Championship. Walnut Vally Festival, 2008
• Invited instructor and performer at many national and international dulcimer conferences, including Kentucky Music Week, John C Campbell Folk School, Dulcimer U (Western Carolina University), Nonesuch Dulcimer Club (England), as well as many local historic sites and community events.
  
  Category: Other
  international dulcimer community, 2008
• Invited instructor and performer at many national and international dulcimer conferences, including Kentucky Music Week, John C Campbell Folk School, Dulcimer U (Western Carolina University), Nonesuch Dulcimer Club (England), as well as many local historic sites and community events.
  
  Category: Other
  international dulcimer community, 2007
• Nominated for Jerome Walton Excellence in Teaching Award
  Category: Teaching
  Nominated for Jerome Walton Excellence in Teaching Award, 2007

Books & Book Chapters

• Human Anatomy and Physiology (Amerman)
  Pearson/Benjamin Cummings
  2016
• A Photographic Atlas for Anatomy and Physiology. (Heisler et al)
  Pearson/Benjamin Cummings
  2015
• Human Anatomy and Physiology (Amerman)
  Pearson/Benjamin Cummings
  2013
• Human Anatomy and Physiology (Amerman)
  Pearson/Benjamin Cummings
  2013
• New Clinical Case Studeis for Mastering A & P
  Pearson/Benjamin Cummings
  2012
• Practice Anatomy Lab (online)
  Pearson/Benjamin Cummings
  2012
• http://hapshistology.wetpaint.com/?mail=1201
  
  2008
• A Brief Atlas of the Human Body, 2nd ed
  Pearson/Benjamin Cummings
  2007
• A Brief Atlas of the Human Body, 1st ed
  Pearson/Benjamin Cummings
  2006
• Human Anaomy and Physiology (Marieb, 7th ed)
  Pearson/Benjamin Cummings
  2005
• Human Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory Manual (Marieb) 7th and 8th ed
  Pearson/Benjamin Cummings
  2005
• Human Anatomy and Physiology
  
  2005
• in various Pearson/Benjamin Cummings Human A & P texts
  Pearson/Benjamin Cummings
  2005
• Biology, 7th ed
  Pearson/Benjamin Cummings
  2004
• Great Ideas in Teaching Anatomy & Physiology
  
  2003
• Biological Science
  
  2002
• Cell Shape: Determinants, Regulation, and Regulatory Role
  
  1989

Presentations

• All I Really Need to Know (about pathology) I Learned from the Histology Challenge
  2017
  Human Anatomy and Physiology Society Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, Utah
• Fetal Attraction: Using Embryological Stories to Enhance A&P instruction. Invited HAPS SYNAPSE presentation
  2017
  Human Anatomy and Physiology Society Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, Utah
• Histopathology: for Undergraduates?
  2016
  Human Anatomy and Physiology Society Annual Meeting, Atlanta, Georgia
• The Histology Challenge (administrator; author, producer for most cases; collaborator on others) . Regular feature (case studies, online discussion, and instructional materials) presented on website for Human Anatomy and Physiology Society
  2016
  cases presented in 2016: 103 - 116, virtual, Virtual
• Mysteries at the Microscope: Histopathology Case Studies as a Tool for Teaching Undergraduate Histology
  May, 2015
  Human Anatomy and Physiology Society Annual Meeting, San Antonio, Texas
• The Histology Challenge (administrator; author, producer for most cases; collaborator on others) . Regular feature (case studies, online discussion, and instructional materials) presented on website for Human Anatomy and Physiology Society.
  2015
  cases presented in 2015: 94 - 97; 99 - 102; photomicrographs and contributor for case 98, Virtual, Virtual
• "In Sickness and in Health": Histopathology is for everyone!
  2014
  Human Anatomy and Physiology Society Annual Meeting, Jacksonville, Florida
• The Histology Challenge ( Co-author, co-producer, and administrator) . Regular feature (case studies, online discussion, and instructional materials) presented on website for Human Anatomy and Physiology Society.
  2014
  Cases presented in 2014: # 78, 80, 81, 82, 87, 90, Virtual, Virtual
• The Histology Challenge wants YOU.
  2014
  Human Anatomy and Physiology Society Annual Meeting, Jacksonville, Florida
• Beyond the Microscope: In Pursuit of a More Lively Histology Class
  2013
  Human Anatomy and Physiology Society Annual Meeting, Las Vagas, Nevada
• The Histology Challenge ( Co-author, co-producer, and administrator) . Regular feature (case studies, online discussion, and instructional materials) presented on website for Human Anatomy and Physiology Society.
  2013
  Case studies # 62, 67, 69, 71, 72, 73, Virtual, Virtual
• Histopathology: For Undergraduates?
  2012
  Human Anatomy and Physiology Society Annual Meeting, unknown, Unknown
• Histopathology as a Tool for Teaching Normal Histology, REGIONAL MEETING OF
  2011
  Human Anatomy and Physiology Society Annual Meeting, Sarasota, Florida
• Development and Disease
  2010
  Human Anatomy and Physiology Society Annual Meeting, Unknown, Unknown
• Microscopically Yours: A Glimpse of our Cells in Sickness and in Health.
  2010
  Delaware Technical Community College, Wilmington, Delaware
• Teaching Strategies in Science: Novel Activities for Traditional Morphology Laboratories
  2010
  Delaware Technical Community College, Wilmington, Delaware
• Histology: Disjointed Facts or Unifying Principles?
  2009
  Human Anatomy and Physiology Society Annual Meeting, Unknown, Unknown
• Histology Hints: Let's Tour the Endocrine System
  2008
  Human Anatomy and Physiology Society Annual Meeting, Unknown, Unknown
• Helpful Hints for Histology Labs
  2007
  'Strategies for Success' Benjamin Cummings Science Workshop at MassBay Community College, Boston, Massachusetts
• Histology Hints: Let's Tour the Reproductive System
  2007
  Human Anatomy and Physiology Society Annual Meeting, Unknown, Unknown
• Helpful Hints for Histology Labs
  2006
  'Strategies for Success' Benjamin Cummings Science Workshop at Kingsborough Community College, Brooklyn, New York
• Histology Hints: Let's Tour the Digestive System
  2006
  Human Anatomy and Physiology Society Annual Meeting, Unknown, Unknown
• Helpful Hints for Histology Labs
  2005
  'Strategies for Success' Benjamin Cummings Science Workshop at Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama
• Helpful Hints for Histology Labs
  2005
  Human Anatomy and Physiology Society Annual Meeting, Unknown, Unknown
• Histopathology as a Tool for Teaching Normal Histology
  2004
  Human Anatomy and Physiology Society Annual Meeting, Calgary, Canada-British Columbia
• General Models in Histology. Workshop presented at Strategies for Success
  2003
  Science Workshop at Mohawk Valley Community College, Utica, New York
• General Models in Histology
  2003
  Human Anatomy and Physiology Society Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Novel Activities for Traditional Morphology Laboratories
  2002
  Human Anatomy and Physiology Society Annual Meeting, Unknown, Unknown
• 'Methods for Demonstrating or Culturing Live Chick Embryos for Undergraduate Teaching Laboratories
  2000
  Human Anatomy and Physiology Society Annual Meeting, Charlotte, North Carolina
• 'Differentiation and Pattern Formation of Skeletal Tissue During Embryonic Limb Development'.
  1997
  Research seminar. LeMoyne College, Syracuse, New York
• 'Role of Ectoderm and Extracellular Matrix in Cartilage Patterning during Chick Limb Development
  1996
  Northeast Regional Developmental Biology conference, Woods Hole, Massachusetts
• 'Role of Ectoderm and Extracellular Matrix in Cartilage Patterning During Chick Limb Development.'
  1995
  1st Solursh Symposium, 'Development: Advances on Many Fronts'. Iowa City, Iowa City, Iowa
• 'Cell and Tissue Interactions in Embryonic Limb Development'.
  1989
  Distinguished Biologist Lecture Series. Hartwick College, Oneonta, New York
• Cell Differentiation in Embryonic Limb Development
  1986
  Biology Department Seminar, Skidmore College., Saratoga, New York
• 'Role of Extracellular Matrix in Limb Bud Chondrogenesis'.
  1985
  Seminar for Cell Differentiation Group, Department of Biology SUNY Albany., Albany, New York
• Cell Differentiation in Embryonic Limb Development
  1985
  Biology Department Seminar, Loudonville, New York
• Ciliary Motility
  1982
  Ciliate Meeting, Aurora, New York