do you have the clarkson gene?
Biology
Carolyn A. Zanta, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor; Director of First Year Biology
Department of Biology
143 Science Center
Clarkson University
PO Box 5805
Potsdam, NY 13699-5805
E-mail: czanta@clarkson.edu
Phone: 315-268-3843
Fax: 315-268-7118
Education
B.S., University of Michigan - Cellular & Molecular Biology and Chemistry
Ph.D., Purdue University - Biological Sciences
Courses taught
BY110 Biology and Society
BY112 Biology and Society Laboratory
Scholarly Interests
I am interested in K-12 science outreach and public engagement (informal learning), particularly developing hands-on science activities that address exciting new discoveries in genetics and biotechnology. Most recently, I worked on a team that developed gene chip (DNA microarray) activities suitable for the introductory biology classroom (high school and college). I have also developed activities that can be used to teach bioinformatics and genomics, DNA basics, DNA fingerprinting, genetically modified organisms and agricultural biotechnology, elementary genetics, and the biology of CSI. I am currently collaborating on the development of educational software game using bioinformatics tools to solve crimes. I am also on the science advisory board for educational publications such as Your World: Biotechnology & You and the Pfizer publication, Genome: The Secret of How Life Works.
Recent Publications (Print and CD-ROM)
A. M. Campbell, C. A. Zanta, L. J. Heyer, B. Kittinger, K. M. Gabric, and L. Adler, 2006. DNA Microarray Wet Lab Simulation Brings Genomics into the High School Curriculum. CBE - Life Sciences Education 5: 332–339.
Science Advisor, “Genome: The Secret of How Life Works” Teacher’s Resource Guide prepared for the Pfizer Foundation by the Biotechnology Institute, 2006.
Advisory Board and Editor, “Your World: Biotechnology & You”, published by The Biotechnology Institute, 2004 – present.
University of Illinois NW Region Extension Office, 2003. Biotechnology Curriculum Manual and CD-ROM
University of Illinois Extension, 2002. Biotechnology/CSI Camp CD-ROM
Recent Workshops and Presentations
Carolyn A. Zanta, “DNA, Genes, and Genomes in Your Classroom”, Second Annual St. Lawrence County High School Science Conference, Potsdam, New York, March 16, 2007.
Carolyn A. Zanta and K.M. Gabric, “Gene Chips in Your Classroom: From Genes to Disease”, National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) Annual Conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico, October 13, 2006.
K.M. Gabric and Carolyn A. Zanta, “Bioinformatics, Genomics, and the Biology Student Workbench”, Biotechnology Institute Best Practices Workshop, Chicago, Illinois, April 6, 2006.
Carolyn A. Zanta, K.M. Gabric, A.M. Campbell, and B. Kittinger, “Corn Chips, Potato Chips, and Gene Chips…DNA Microarrays in the High School Classroom”, National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) Annual Conference, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, October 8, 2005.
Assistant Professor; Director of First Year Biology
Department of Biology
143 Science Center
Clarkson University
PO Box 5805
Potsdam, NY 13699-5805
E-mail: czanta@clarkson.edu
Phone: 315-268-3843
Fax: 315-268-7118
Education
B.S., University of Michigan - Cellular & Molecular Biology and Chemistry
Ph.D., Purdue University - Biological Sciences
Courses taught
BY110 Biology and Society
BY112 Biology and Society Laboratory
Scholarly Interests
I am interested in K-12 science outreach and public engagement (informal learning), particularly developing hands-on science activities that address exciting new discoveries in genetics and biotechnology. Most recently, I worked on a team that developed gene chip (DNA microarray) activities suitable for the introductory biology classroom (high school and college). I have also developed activities that can be used to teach bioinformatics and genomics, DNA basics, DNA fingerprinting, genetically modified organisms and agricultural biotechnology, elementary genetics, and the biology of CSI. I am currently collaborating on the development of educational software game using bioinformatics tools to solve crimes. I am also on the science advisory board for educational publications such as Your World: Biotechnology & You and the Pfizer publication, Genome: The Secret of How Life Works.
Recent Publications (Print and CD-ROM)
A. M. Campbell, C. A. Zanta, L. J. Heyer, B. Kittinger, K. M. Gabric, and L. Adler, 2006. DNA Microarray Wet Lab Simulation Brings Genomics into the High School Curriculum. CBE - Life Sciences Education 5: 332–339.
Science Advisor, “Genome: The Secret of How Life Works” Teacher’s Resource Guide prepared for the Pfizer Foundation by the Biotechnology Institute, 2006.
Advisory Board and Editor, “Your World: Biotechnology & You”, published by The Biotechnology Institute, 2004 – present.
University of Illinois NW Region Extension Office, 2003. Biotechnology Curriculum Manual and CD-ROM
University of Illinois Extension, 2002. Biotechnology/CSI Camp CD-ROM
Recent Workshops and Presentations
Carolyn A. Zanta, “DNA, Genes, and Genomes in Your Classroom”, Second Annual St. Lawrence County High School Science Conference, Potsdam, New York, March 16, 2007.
Carolyn A. Zanta and K.M. Gabric, “Gene Chips in Your Classroom: From Genes to Disease”, National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) Annual Conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico, October 13, 2006.
K.M. Gabric and Carolyn A. Zanta, “Bioinformatics, Genomics, and the Biology Student Workbench”, Biotechnology Institute Best Practices Workshop, Chicago, Illinois, April 6, 2006.
Carolyn A. Zanta, K.M. Gabric, A.M. Campbell, and B. Kittinger, “Corn Chips, Potato Chips, and Gene Chips…DNA Microarrays in the High School Classroom”, National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) Annual Conference, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, October 8, 2005.