David Zava, PhD

Dr. David Zava, a biochemist by trade and a teacher at heart, has dedicated over 40 years to exploring the role of hormones in aging and disease. After completing his Ph.D. in biochemistry at the University of Tennessee in 1974, Dr. Zava conducted extensive research on hormones and breast cancer in Texas, Switzerland, California, and Oregon. In 1998, he founded ZRT Laboratory, a CLIA-certified laboratory that leads in developing innovative test methods to identify hormonal imbalances linked to debilitating symptoms, diminished quality of life, and increased risks for cancers and health conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, dementia, autism, ADHD, and PMDD.

Dr. Zava's passion for teaching and research inspired him to help healthcare practitioners and patients truly understand how hormones impact wellness. The more he studied, reviewed test results, and listened to patient stories, the more he realized the need to channel his knowledge into empowering individuals to actively manage their health. Long before AI as we know it today, Dr. Zava with ZRT’s IT team, developed systems and algorithms to incorporate not only hormone test results in laboratory reports, but also to include patient symptoms and hormones used along with AI (Augmented Intelligence) interpretation.

ZRT Laboratory pioneered noninvasive (saliva and dried urine) and semi-invasive (dried blood spots) hormone testing methods, offering a convenient alternative to conventional serum tests. These home collection methods have proven invaluable for research studies, particularly where collection of multiple specimens throughout the day by conventional testing is prohibitively expensive or logistically challenging or impossible.

In addition to routine CLIA-approved clinical testing for health care providers, ZRT has a very active research program that tests hormones for research investigators in universities, the pharmaceutical industry, government, military, space agencies, private physicians, and professional sports teams around the world.

Dr. Zava remains dedicated to understanding how lifestyle choices, the environment, and genetics impact our hormonal balance and overall well-being. His hands-on approach and commitment to personalized health support permeates ZRT Laboratory, which is renowned for its personalized approach to health.

In addition to his innovations in clinical laboratory testing and numerous scientific publications, Dr. Zava coauthored the landmark book in 2002, What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Breast Cancer: How Hormone Balance Can Help Save Your Life, detailing how hormonal imbalances can contribute to breast cancer and how they can be prevented.

ZRT Laboratory embodies Dr. Zava’s vision, achieving global recognition for delivering clinically relevant and precise results with state-of-the-art tools (LC-MS/MS, GC-MS/MS, ICP-MS, ELCIA), expert insights and excellence in laboratory diagnostics and testing. Dr. Zava continues to inspire and lead efforts to improve health and wellness, making the world a better place through science and education.