Vanessa S. Quinn, Ph.D.

Associate Dean of the College of Engineering and Sciences

Professor of Biological Sciences

Introduction

Vanessa Quinn teaches upper division courses and non-major courses in the department of Biological Sciences.

Research Overview

Student research is one of the best ways students can become part of their program of study. Dr. Quinn works with graduate and undergraduates to develop teams of students who work on projects in field settings. Students will apply for internal and external funding and present their work at internal and external conferences.

I’d rather be hiking in the rain than sitting behind my desk on a sunny day. I can’t find the person who said this the first time but it is me in a nutshell. The best thing I do at PNW is teach a class that takes undergraduate students to the Smoky Mountains to become immersed in the natural world.

I'd rather be hiking in the rain than sitting behind my desk on a sunny day. I can't find the person who said this the first time but it is me in a nutshell. The best thing I do at PNW is teach a class that takes undergraduate students to the Smoky Mountains to become immersed in the natural world.

Select Publications

• Flaherty, E., R. Urbanek, D. Wood, C. Day, L. D’Acunto, V.S. Quinn, and P. Zollner. 2019. Mentored conference experiences support students’ career exploration and professional development. Wildlife Society Bulletin. 565-575.
• Flaherty, E., R. Urbanek, D. Wood, C. Day, L. D’Acunto, V.S. Quinn, and P. Zollner. 2018. A framework for mentoring students attending their first professional conference. Natural Sciences Education. 47:1-8.
• Quinn, V.S. 2015. Using astrology to confront and discuss pseudoscience in the classroom. The American Biology Teacher. 77:542-548.

Teaching Focus

Dr. Quinn is interested in providing innovative teaching strategies that will support students of diverse interests in the natural world. She covers material in animal behavior, evolution, and ecology. Dr. Quinn also teaches a travel study course to the Smoky Mountains for graduate and undergraduate students.

Previous Roles

• 2020 – 2022, Faculty Athletic Representation NCAA Division II Athletics
• 2017 – 2020, Associate Dean of the Honors College
• 2016 – 2018, Director of the Student Research Office
• 2015 – 2016, Academic Program Coordinator, Health Studies
• 2014 – 2015, College of Science Dean’s Fellow
• 2013 – 2015, Faculty Fellow for Assessment
• 2013 – 2015, Academic Program Coordinator, Biology