Carolyn N. Vann, Ph.D.
Professor
Director, Biotechnology Program

Email: cvann@bsu.edu

• Plant Molecular Biology, specifically cloning & characterization of genes/proteins involved in host resistance to pathogens
• Recombinant DNA Technology
• Biotechnology
• Cell Biology
• DNA fingerprinting applications to modern biological problems in a variety of organisms; molecular biology of epiphytic and terrestrial orchids; orchid transformation for virus resistance; cloning and characterization of photosynthesis and flower regulatory genes from orchids

Recent Publications - Last 3 years

Irving, R. P., R. R. Pinger, C. N. Vann, J. B. Olesen, and F. E. Steiner. 2000 Distribution and Prevalence of Ehrlichia chaffeenis (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaeceae) in Indiana and Ohio. J. Med. Entomol. 37(4):595-6000

Steiner, F. E., R. R. Pinger, and C. N. Vann. 1999. 1997 Infection rates of Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae) by Ehrlichia chaffeensis (Rickettsiales: Ehrlichieae) and prevalence of E. chaffeensis-reactive antibodies in white-tailed deer in southern Indiana. J. Med. Entomol. 36 (6):1-6.

Burket, C., C. Vann, R. Pinger, C. Chatot, and F. Steiner. 1998. The minimum infection rate of Amblyoma americanum with Ehrlichia chaffeensis in southern Indiana. J. Med. Entomology, 35 (5):653-659.

Vann, C., H. Saxon, S. Eliadias, T. Brblic, S. Lambert, J. Shaw, and R. Smith. 1998. DNA Fingerprinting of Trout Lilies - A High School project. American Biology Teacher, 60 (6):419-425.

Recent Grants Awarded - Last 3 years

Internal:

1. Chatot, C. C. Vann, and J. Olesen. 2001. Development of New Courses for the Biotechnology Certificate program. George and Frances Ball Fund for Academic Excellence. 
2. Vann, C. 1/2001 - Travel award - Turkey in May/June 2001.
3. (1999-2000) SEET Grant, Characterization of Genes Induced in Orchids by Viral Infection.
4. Vann, C.  Summer Grant (1999) Genes Induced in Orchids by Virus 
5. Vann, C.  Academic Year Grant (1997-2000) Pathogen Resistance in Orchids.

External Grants:

1. Vann, C. Characterization of Toll Resistance Genes and Their Products in an Orchid, Indiana Acad. Sci. 3/2001-3/2002.
2. Vann, C. Characterization of Protein-Protein Interactions Induced in an Orchid Exposed to Tobacco Mosaic Virus. Midwest Orchid Society.
3. Vann, C. (1/2000-12/2000). Genes Expressed in Orchids Following Viral Infection.Mid-American Orchid Society.
4. Vann, C. (Spring 2000-2001). N Gene Expression in a Cattlyea Orchid Following Viral Infection, Indiana Academy of Science.
5. Vann, C. Genes Induced in Orchids by Virus. Indiana Academy of Science (Sp.1999-2000).
6. Vann, C. Characterizations of Virus Resistant Transgenic Orchids and Host Genes - Indiana Academy of Science (Sp. 1998-1999)
7. Vann, C. Pathogen Resistance in Orchids.. Indiana Academy of Science (Sp.1997-1998)

Internal and External Service Grants:

1. Chatot, C.  & C. Vann. Summer 1998. George and Frances Ball Fund for Academic Excellence: Revision of the Cell and Molecular Biology Option Curriculum in the Department of Biology.
2. Chatot, C. and C. Vann. Summer 1998. Indiana School to Work Grant..
3. C. N. Vann and N. Behforouz (1998). Center for International Studies (support for Belize teaching).
4. Vann, C. American Society for Microbiology - Regional Grant for Indiana Branch Activities, Spring 1998.
5. Vann, C.N. and T. Morrell (1997). Center for International Studies (support Belize teaching).
6. Vann, C. American Society for Microbiology - Regional Grant for Indiana Branch Activities, Spring 1997.

Selected Awards & Recognitions:

• 1998/1999: Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year (Teaching, Research & Service) - BSU    (selected by peers from 900 faculty members).
• 1998/1999: Certificate of Excellence awarded BSU Sigma Xi chapter when I was president (only 16/500+ national and international chapters so recognized).
• 1998/1999:  East Central Indiana Audubon Society - Habitat and Wildlife Preservation Award
• 1997/1998:  Outstanding Service Award - Indiana Branch, Am. Soc. for Microbiol.
• 1987-1998:  Awarded Graduate Faculty Membership
• 1992-1993:  Recognized for contributions to the Indiana Academy Apprenticeship Program. Selected    to represent BSU in 25th anniversary Celebration of Korean Exchange, Korea, May.
• 1991/1992: Elected Fellow, Indiana Academy of Science.

Professional Activities

2000/2001:     Director, Biotechnology Certificate Program
                       Member, Institutional Biosafety Committee
                       Member, UniverCity 2000 Planning Committee
1999/2000:     Chair, Outstanding Awards Committee
                       Member, Institutional Biosafety Committee
                       Member, UniverCity 2000 Planning Committee
1998/1999:     Member, Institutional Biosafety Committee
                       Member, Outstanding Awards Committee
1997/1998:     Member, Institutional Biosafety Committee
1996/1997:     Chair, Institutional Biosafety Committee
                       Member, Graduate Education Committee

Offices held in regional, and state organizations.

• 2000/2001:  Executive Board, Indiana Branch of the American Society for Microbiology Awards Committee Chair, Indiana Branch of the American Society for Microbiology.
• 1999/2000:  Executive Board, Indiana Branch of the American Society for Microbiology Executive Board, Sigma Xi Research Society
• 1998/1999: Executive Board, Indiana Branch of the American Society for Microbiology. President, Sigma Xi Research Society
• 1997/1998: President, Indiana Branch of the American Society for Microbiology.  
  President Elect, Sigma Xi Research Society
• 1996/1997: Chair, Microbiology & Molecular Biology Section, Indiana Acad. Sci.  Vice-President, Sigma Xi Research Society  
  President, Indiana Branch of the American Society for Microbiology

Fostering entrance of students into research:

• 28 undergraduate honors fellowships awarded based on competitive proposals.
• 55 student internal grants awarded based on competitive proposals.
• 9 graduate research summer assistantships (competitive) awarded.
• Over 140 students mentored on independent research projects (doctoral, masters, undergraduates, high school students). I am aware of 6 that have become professors, 7 that currently hold post-doctoral positions, 22 that have entered Ph.D. or M.D. programs, 4 that have entered MS programs, and 40 that have obtained technical/administrative positions, primarily with biotechnology firms.
• Over 160 papers presented at professional meetings, usually with student co-authors.
• Membership in eight professional and honorary societies.

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