Caryn E. Outten

Caryn E. Outten is a Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry in the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences at the University of South Carolina, holding the Guy F. Lipscomb Chair in Chemistry. She leads a research group investigating iron homeostasis and mitochondrial glutathione metabolism using yeast as a model system. Her work combines molecular genetics, protein biochemistry, and cell biology to understand cellular iron regulation and redox balance.

Outten earned her B.S. from the College of William and Mary, M.S. and Ph.D. from Northwestern University, and completed postdoctoral training at Johns Hopkins University. She has held academic roles at the University of South Carolina since 2005, including Visiting Professorships at the University of Colorado.

Her research focuses on two main areas: (1) mechanisms of iron regulation via Fe-S cluster signaling and (2) mitochondrial glutathione metabolism and redox control. She employs GFP-based sensors to monitor subcellular redox states and studies proteins like Grx4, Fra2, and BolA involved in iron trafficking.

Outten has secured over $4.5M in NIH funding, authored/co-authored 50+ peer-reviewed articles, and received numerous awards, including the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). She advises 5 current graduate students and has mentored over 40 researchers across all levels.

Her lab operates from multiple locations in the GSRC building and collaborates with institutions globally. Teaching responsibilities include courses in metabolic biochemistry and biochemistry for medical students, with a focus on innovative flipped classroom methods.