Dr. Nan Vance has been a research plant physiologist in the USDA Forest Service for 16 years and was the Biology and Culture of Forest Plants Team leader for seven years. She has long research experience in plant biology with emphasis in plant stress physiology, environmental biochemistry, and conservation and reproductive biology of western montane and steppe species. Research has focused on conservation biology of sensitive plant species and species of commercial and cultural value. Recent research has been in restoration of native plants and has developed protocols for about 20 western species for seed collection management and re-introduction into the wild. She is engaged in collaborative studies on pollination and reproductive biology of two native western orchid species (Cypripedium), bear grass (Xerophyllum tenax) (a culturally valued species in the Pacific Northwest), and Paeonia brownii one of only two peony species native to North America. Authored, co-authored and presented numerous papers over a span of 25 years. Serves on graduate faculty in Department of Forest Science, and Plant Physiology Program at Oregon State University.