Zarna Pala

Dr. Pala supports the Biological Sciences Graduate Program (BISI) as a strategic partner and resource for students, faculty and collaborators across campus. She serves as a central point of contact for program operations, guiding research-focused initiatives, managing core process, and ensuring the smooth coordination of activities that keep BISI running effectively. She also works closely with federal partners and campus units to build collaborative pathways that expand research and training opportunities for students.

Dr. Pala also leads BioGrad Pathways, BISI's comprehensive professional development initiative. She designed the program to address critical gaps in graduate training and now oversees its ongoing strategy, implementation, and evaluation. Through workshops, mentoring and wellness resources, and skill-building opportunities, she supports ~150 graduate students in navigating research careers, strengthening their transferrable skills and preparing for diverse scientific pathways. Her work on BioGrad Pathways was recognized with the university-level Terrapin Innovation Award for its impact and systems-level approach to trainee development.

She has also received the Provost's RISE (Retain-Ignite-Skill Building-Exploration) Grant for professional development, which enables her to build skills that enhance student success and career readiness. She also brings a strong foundation in mental health and wellness through her certification as a Mental Health First Aider, which informs her approach to student support, active listening, and creating safe spaces for trainees.  

Before joining the University of Maryland, Zarna spent over a decade in scientific research, including five years as a postdoctoral fellow at NIAID, NIH. Outside of her professional role, she enjoys experimenting with different cuisines in her kitchen, discovering new coffee shops, exploring hiking trails, and taking road trips with her husband, Sanket, and their dog, Khaleesi.