Dr. Kita began his tenure-track Assistant Professor position at St. Francis College in Fall 2021. He is dedicated to helping undergraduate students maximize their potential through teaching and faculty-mentored research. His passion for undergraduate education began in late 2016, after completing a course at Rockefeller University. Before joining SFC, he taught at the University of Bridgeport, Mercy College, Rutgers University, and Bergen Community College.
During his time as an adjunct, Dr. Kita was selected as a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Inclusive Excellence Fellow at Mercy College (2019–2021) and earned certification from the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE). He actively pursues new strategies to enhance student learning and regularly participates in HHMI Biointeractive workshops, most recently serving as an assessment builder reviewer. His research interests also extend to pedagogical studies, with a recent collaboration published in this area.
Dr. Kita earned his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Kyushu University (Fukuoka, Japan) and received postdoctoral training at The Scripps Research Institute (La Jolla, California) under Dr. Clare Waterman, an expert in live cell imaging and cytoskeletal biology. He later conducted research at The University of Texas Medical Branch and Weill Medical College of Cornell University. Prior to joining SFC, his work focused on uncovering the molecular mechanisms of intrinsic drug resistance to taxanes, a class of chemotherapy drugs. He also contributed to clinical trials and collaborative projects involving cell cycle imaging.
Outside of SFC, Dr. Kita is actively engaged in the scientific community through outreach, mentoring, and service. He has judged local science meetings, mentored high school students in programs such as the Urban Barcode Research Program at DNA Learning Center/Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, and supervised projects with Brooklyn Tech students. Since 2023, he has also contributed to the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP) review process.
Ph.D. Kyushu University (Fukuoka, Japan)
Non-degree and certificate courses:
“Research proposals, scientific journalism, and public speaking (NEUR5004)
” Joan & Sanford I" Weill Medical College of Cornell University (certification)
“Introduction to undergraduate science teaching” Rockefeller University (certification)
“Effective college instruction” Association of College and University Educators (certification)
Research Projects
Dr. Kita works with students to identify uncharacterized mutations in cancer that may serve as predictive biomarkers for diagnosis:
Dr. Kita collaborates with students to develop a new biodegradable cryogel with potential applications in biomedical research and treatment:
Dr. Kita is enthusiastic about integrating authentic research into education. Over the past several years, he has been invited to participate in NSF-funded C.U.R.E. (Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience) workshops. Most recently, he was selected as a faculty member of the HHMI SEA-PHAGES (Science Education Alliance – Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science) program, Cohort 18. Beginning in Fall 2025, Dr. Kita will implement C.U.R.E. in Cell Biology and Genetics laboratory courses, creating opportunities for all students to engage in authentic research and further develop their career aspirations.
Latest Publications
- J.R. Casey, P. Emigh, K. Kita, S. Krishna, J. Liao, J. Nissen (2025) J. Coll. Sci. Teach., in-press
- P.V. Thakkar, K. Kita, U.D. Castillo, G. Galletti, N. Madhukar, E.V. Navarro, I. Barasoain, H.V. Goodson, D. Sackett, J.F. Díaz, Y Lu, A. RoyChoudhury, H. Molina, O. Elemento, M.A. Shah, P. Giannakakou (2021) Dev. Cell, 56, 3264-3275.e7
- B. Reece, E.V. Bahar, A. Cabrera Pereira, L. Witek, K. Kita (2024) Bio-protocol, 14, e5115
Review Paper and Proceedings
- K. Kita, C. Morkos, K. Nolan (2024) World J. Methodol. 14, 97664
- K. Kita, A. Burdowski (2024) World J. Gastroenterol., 30, 1780-1790
- P. Emigh, S. Krishna, J. Casey, J. Liao, K. Kita, J. Nissen (2023) 2023 Physics Education Research Conference (PERC) proceedings, 88-94
Read the full feature to see how Dr. Kita and his students are making an impact inside and outside the classroom:
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