Zoe Pestana, Ph.D.

Dr. Zoe Pestana is the Instructional Manager for the UC Davis Writing Center, where she oversees instructional operations, manages personnel, and coordinates scheduling for more than 500 Writing Center courses each academic year. She works closely with faculty, staff, and student employees to support high-quality writing instruction and ensure that Writing Center programs run efficiently and effectively.

 

Zoe Pestana earned her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of California, Davis. Her research in developmental cognitive neuroscience examined how early brain development supports empathy, emotion perception, and social cognition in infants and young children using electroencephalography (EEG). Throughout her doctoral training, she taught undergraduate psychology courses and served as a teaching assistant, experiences that strengthened her commitment to evidence-based instruction, inclusive pedagogy, and instructional excellence. She has authored publications in developmental psychology and neuroscience and continues to apply research-informed approaches to teaching, learning, instructional leadership, and academic program development.

 

Before joining the Writing Center, Zoe Pestana served as a Graduate Student Career Advisor in the UC Davis Career Center. In that role, she advised graduate students and postdoctoral scholars on career exploration, application materials, and professional development while designing and facilitating workshops on career readiness and academic and non-academic career pathways. These experiences strengthened her expertise in educational program development, mentorship, and supporting the professional growth of diverse academic communities.

 

Across her administrative, instructional, and research roles, Zoe Pestana is passionate about strengthening educational programs through effective leadership, evidence-based practices, and collaborative support for instructors, staff, and the broader academic community.