Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/477247
44 Hartford Business Journal • July 21, 2014 www.HartfordBusiness.com Christopher R. Zito Age: 26 Title at work/what I do: Physician assistant, who has worked in the emergency room/ urgent care setting for the last four years, and co-owner of a medical spa, Pure Skin, in which we provide aesthetic and mobile med spa services around Connecticut. The expansion this business has made in the last couple years is off the charts secondary to teamwork and the dedication of the owners. Town where I work: Southington Town where I live: Plantsville College I attended: University of Connecticut (undergrad); Pace University (graduate) My passion, hobby or special talent: Running Favorite place to network: Work Favorite drink at a networking event: Vodka cranberry with a splash of orange How do I create connections in my profes- sional life? I have learned to take something from each person I meet in all aspects of my life. Being outgoing and intrigued in what other professionals do creates connections later on in life. What's been my biggest challenge professionally? My biggest challenge professionally is making time to manage as well as work as a physician assistant. I love what I do as far as medicine and aesthetics but also need time to manage our employees with my co-owner. What is the best advice I received? To sum it up in one word it would be Kaizan, continuous improvement. There is also room for improvement in all areas of business. Age: 38 Title at work/what do I do: Assistant professor of biology, who teaches at the graduate and under- graduate level at the University of St. Joseph. I am also a pre-health professions advisor at USJ, as well as a faculty advisor for the USJ chapter of Tri Beta National Biological Honor Society. For my scholarly endeavors, I perform translational research at Yale University in melanoma, breast, lung, and renal cancers. I also perform community outreach work running a forensic science summer camp for Greater Hartford area youth. I also supervise and coordinate a program encouraging young girls in middle school to pursue careers in science, technology, engineer- ing, and math (STEM) areas. Town where I work: West Hartford Town where I live: North Haven College I attended: Wesleyan University (Ph.D.); University of New Haven (graduate); Albertus Magnus College (undergrad) My passion, hobby or special talent: My wife and kids; playing piano and guitar in my down time. No. of LinkedIn connections: 40-50 Favorite place to network: Facebook Favorite drink at a networking event: Diet Coke with lemon How do I create connections in my profes- sional life? I network with my research colleagues at national and international cancer research conferences, comparing notes, and results and developing collaborations. I also net- work with my academic colleagues from USJ and throughout CT at local symposia and academic events allowing me to stay in touch with current instruction modali- ties that work in and out of the classroom to enhance learning. Lastly, I also network with current and former students and advi- sees, which allows me to gauge the level of success my advisees and students have attained and make connections that future advisees might be able to utilize to place into careers. What's been my biggest challenge professionally? Juggling all the hats in my profession -- that of advisor, teacher, researcher, men- tor, colleague, and friend. Note I say juggling hats… not dropping them. What is the best advice I received? Just be yourself; be sincere and honest and do your best. What do I want my legacy to be? I want my legacy to be the lives I have touched, even if only in some small way. I want to have been some small part in the transformation of these young students into successful adults. Pretty much what we all want… to leave my mark on these young indi- viduals, and that they have some memories (hopefully fond ones) of me to take with them and maybe pass along. 40 Under Forty 2014 40 Under Forty 2014 Jennifer's business, Pure Skin, has 847 Likes on Facebook. FUN FACT Christopher is a fan of the New York Giants. FUN FACT Jennifer Young "Being outgoing and intrigued in what other professionals do creates connections later on in life."