Conn was born in Asbestos, Quebec. She received her Ph.D. in genetics from the University of Toronto in 1987. She has traveled to Guatemala, Venezuela, Florida, Vermont and Massachusetts, conducting research on insects that transmit pathogens. Before taking up her current work on population genetics of malaria-carrying mosquitoes in South America and Africa, she was a recognized expert on the genetics of Black fly (Simulium) species vectoring river blindness (onchocerciasis) in Central America.

Poetry

Conn has written six books of poetry, most recently Jaguar Rain: the Margaret Mee poems, inspired by the diaries and botanical art of Margaret Mee. She has won numerous awards and major travel grants related to poetry. Her book South of the Tudo Bem Cafe, 1990, was shortlisted for the Pat Lowther Award.