Carolyn N. Vann, Ph.D.
Professor
Director, Biotechnology Program
Department of Biology
Ball State University

e-mail: cvann@bsu.edu

Educational Background

Florida Institute of Technology, BS and MS
University of Florida, PhD (1980)

Professional Background

Postdoctorate Research: Botany, University of Georgia, 1980-81
Postdoctorate Research: Biological Science, University of Missouri, 1981-1986
Ball State University, 1986 to present

Current General Research Interest Areas 

1. Molecular studies of the function of the vault (the most recently discovered cell organelle).

2. Examining the role of the vault and mutated apoptosis genes in multi-drug resistant small cell lung cancer.

3. Construction of mutant chimeric receptors to examine insulin secretion in diabetes.

Courses Currently Teaching

Cell Biology (BIO 215)
Cell Biology (BIO 655)

Recent Publications - (since 2000)

1. 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):595-600.

2. Reed, A. P, C. Vann and K. Islam 2001.  Invited publication.  Sexing of  Monomorphic Birds Using PCR.  May  IBASM Newsletter.

3. F. E. Steiner, R. P. Pinger, C. N. Vann, M. J. Abley, B. Sullivan, N. Grindle, K. Clay, and C. Fuqua. 2005. Detection of Anaplasma Phagocytophilum and Babesia odocoilei DNA in Ixodes Scapularis  Say (Acari: Ixodidae) collected in Indiana.  J. Med. Entomol. 43(2): 437-442.

4. F. E. Steiner, R. P. Pinger, C. N. Vann, N. Grindle, K. Clay, and C. Fuqua.  Infection and Coinfection Rates of Anaplasma phagocytophilum variants, Babesia spp, Borrelia burgdorferi and the Rickettsia species Endosymbiont in Ixodes scapularis Ticks from Sites in Indiana, Maine, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. 2008. J. Med. Entomol. 45(2):289-297.

5. C. Vann.  The Biotechnology Certificate Program at Ball State University.  Best Practices in Biotechnology Education, pp. 13-21 in Yali Friedman, Ed.  2008

Recent Grants Awarded - (since 2000)

Funded Research (since 2000):

A.  17 Research and Service Grants Awarded:

1. Vann, C.  Indiana Academy of Science. 9/06.

2. Vann, C. Indiana Academy of  Science. 3/05.

3. Vann, C., D. Ruch, S. McDowell. 6/05. Li-Cor Genomics Education Matching Fund, matched by an Eli Lilly V grant and internal support. 

4. Olesen, J. and C. Vann.  Advancement of Biotechnology at Ball State University, Enhanced Provost Initiative Program 1/04.

5. Vann, C.  Indiana Academy of Science. 5/03.

6. Vann, C. Does vault RNA function in multi-drug resistance of cancer cells? Summer Research Grant 2003/04.

7. Vann, C. Chatot, C., Olesen, J.  George & Francis Ball Fund for Academic Excellence, 3/03) for a graduate assistant for Fall 2003-3004.

8. Vann, C.  Discovery Group/Indianapolis and Muncie Grant Application, 2/03, Biotechnology Program Support.

9. Vann, C.  Indiana Academy of  Science. 5/03.

10. Vann, C.  Indiana Academy of Science 5/02.

11. Vann, C. Indiana Academy of  Science 5/01.

12. Chatot, Vann, Olesen 1/2002 - Provost Initiative Grant.

13. C. Vann 3/2002 -iComm Digital Software Project Grant.

14. C. Vann. 1/2001 - Travel award May/June 2001.

15. C. Chatot, C. Vann, J. Olesen, 2001.George & Frances Ball Fund.

16. Vann, C. (2000-2001) Midwest Orchid Society.

17. Vann, C. Indiana Academy of Science 5/00.

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.
• 2007:  Outstanding Teaching Award - Indiana Branch, Am. Soc. for Microbiology

Fostering entrance of students into research (since 2000):

A.  53 Research papers/posters presented:

1. Indiana Branch ASM, Indianapolis, IN – 3/24 & 25/2000, 2 presentations.

2. Academic Research & Sponsored Programs 3/28/2000, 2 presentations.

3. Indiana Academy of Science, IU East, 11/2/00, 2 presentations.

4. Academic Research & Sponsored Programs 3/27/2001, 3 presentations.

5. Indiana Branch ASM, Brown Co. State Park, 4/6-8/2001, 3 presentations, 1^st place graduate student award.

6. Indiana Academy of Science - Ft. Wayne Fall 2001, 1 presentation.

7. Indiana Acad. of Science, Butler University, 10/11/02, 2 presentations.

8. IN Branch of the Am. Soc. for Microbiol., 04/5-7/02, Clifty Falls State Park, 2 presentations, Graduate student second prize and High School Certificate of Merit.

9. Academic Research & Sponsored Programs 3/26/2002, 2 presentations.

10. Indiana Acad. of Science, Anderson University, 10/17/03, 3 presentations.

11. IN Branch Am. Soc. for Microbiol., 4/11-13/03, Spring Mill State Park, 2 presentations

12. Indiana Academy of Science, 10/29/04, 4 presentations.

13. IN Branch Am. Soc. Microbiol. 4/16-17/04, 4 presentations, Outstanding Master’s Student Presentation and Second Place winner of the Outstanding Undergraduate Presentation.

14. Annual Student Symposium, BSU, 3/23/04, 2 presentations.

15. Indiana Academy of Science, 10/7/05, 5 presentations.

16. Spring Meeting IBASM, 4/15-16/05, 3 presentations.

17. BSU Annual Student Symposium, 3/23/05, 4 presentations, Winner of the Sigma Xi Outstanding Undergraduate Award

18. Annual Student Symposium 3/21/06, 3 presentations, Winner of the Sigma Xi Outstanding Graduate Award

19. IBASM Meetings, McCormack Creek St. Pk., 4/21/06-4/23/06, 2 presentations.

20. Indiana Academy of Science, BSU 11/3/06, 3 presentations.

21. Indiana Academy of Science, Evansville 10/24, 1 abstract submitted.  

B.  46 Grants awarded students (since 2000):

1. 12 undergraduate students awarded honors fellowships.

2. 23 student internal grants awarded (10 graduate students and 13 undergraduates)

3. 1 undergraduate Sigma Xi grant.

4. 8 Biology HGABEL awards (3 under-graduate, 5 graduate students)

5. 1 Anthropology Troyer Award

C.  I have mentored 53 students in research (since 2000):  

1. 19 MS students.

2. 1 MA research paper.

3. 27 undergraduates.

4. 6 high school students. 

5. Doctoral committees of 6 students, MS committees of 27.