Zissis Chroneos

Dr. Zissis Chroneos is a Professor at the Penn State College of Medicine, holding dual appointments in the Department of Pediatrics (Division of Hematology and Oncology) and the Department of Cell and Biological Systems. His research focuses on surfactant protein biology, pulmonary immunology, and host-pathogen interactions in respiratory infections.

• BS in Biochemical and Biophysical Sciences, University of Houston (1988)
• PhD in Chemistry, University of South Carolina (1992)
• Postdoctoral training at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (Biochemistry) and Cincinnati Children's Hospital (Pulmonary Biology)

Dr. Chroneos' work centers on lung host defense mechanisms and inflammation, particularly how surfactant proteins modulate immune responses. His 1996 discovery of the SP-A receptor SP-R210 in macrophages and 2005 identification of SP-R210 as Myo18A isoforms represent major contributions to pulmonary immunology. Current studies investigate SP-R210's role in macrophage polarization, influenza pathogenesis, and cross-talk with cytokine receptors (GM-CSF, IL-4, interferon).

Recent research includes:

• Ventilated perfused lung models for viral infection studies
• Electronic cigarette effects on rodent lung physiology
• SP-A's role in neonatal hyperoxia-induced lung injury
• Myosin 18A mechanobiology in immune system development

He serves as course director for MICRO560 Principles of Immunology and as a Master Facilitator for problem-based learning in medical education. His laboratory employs techniques in respiratory physiology, cell isolation, histopathology, and receptor signaling analysis.