Carrie Kim Vance

Dr. Carrie Kim Vance is an Associate Professor at Mississippi State University, specializing in reproductive physiology and conservation technologies for endangered species. She holds a PhD in Biophysics from Johns Hopkins University, an MS in Chemistry from the California Institute of Technology, and a BS in Chemistry from The Ohio State University. Her research focuses on hormonal stimulation, cryopreservation, and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) applications in wildlife conservation.

• Education:
  • PhD, Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University
  • MS, Chemistry, California Institute of Technology
  • BS, Chemistry, The Ohio State University

Vance has pioneered techniques in amphibian spermiation, biobanking, and non-invasive sex identification using NIRS. Her work spans species like tiger salamanders, Houston toads, and giant pandas, addressing challenges in fertility, hormonal response, and environmental stressors. Recent publications emphasize multi-model spectroscopic approaches and mitochondrial sperm function analysis.

Her laboratory collaborates extensively with the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES) and has received recognition such as the MAFES Grantsmanship Award and Mid-Career Research Scholar Award (Finalist). She actively applies her findings to conservation breeding programs and wildlife health assessments.

• Key Scientific Awards:
  • Mid-Career Research Scholar Award - Finalist
  • Mississippi State University Excellence in Research
  • MAFES Grantsmanship Award

Vance has advised graduate students including Mariana Santos-Rivera, Li-Dunn Chen, and Qingyu Sheng. Her research integrates field spectroscopy, metabolomics, and reproductive endocrinology to advance conservation science and veterinary diagnostics.