Zakarian was a Starfleet commander, assigned to Starfleet Academy in the 2360s as an instructor in survival training. He earned the nickname "Old Sneezy" from the cadets he taught, as a result of his numerous allergies. His students included B'Elanna Torres and Harry Kim. (VOY: "Caretaker") This character was only mentioned in dialogue. The Starfleet Academy Handbook gives him the first name Hans.