Dr. Zitzner received a BA in Biology and Chemistry from Augustana College (2004) and a Ph.D. in Pathobiology from Johns Hopkins University (2010). Her graduate research focused on the role of B cells and antibodies chronic rejection of cardiac transplants. Following her graduate research, Dr. Zitzner worked in the Northwestern University Transplant Immunology Lab working to improve the selection and monitoring for organ transplantation.

Dr. Zitzner joined the faculty at Loyola University Chicago in 2013 and currently teaches in the Human Structure and Function course sequence. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys helping students discern how their passions and characteristics fit into their future path.