Curriculum Vitae

Nicole Valenzuela

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eDUCATION

Ph.D. 1999	State University of New York at Stony Brook. Ecology and Evolution.
M. A. 1995	State University of New York at Stony Brook. Applied Ecology.
B. S. 1991	Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia. Biology.

  

Positions held

2010- present	Associate Professor, Dept. of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University.
2009- 2010	Visiting Assistant Professor, Dept. of Evolutionary Biology, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Florence, Italy.
2004- 2010	Assistant Professor, Dept. of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University.
2004- present	Faculty Member, Interdepartamental Genetics Program, Iowa State University.
2003- present	Faculty Member, BCB/MGET Interdepartamental Program, Iowa State University.
2001- present	Faculty Member, Interdepartamental Program in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Iowa State University.
2001- 2004	Adjunct Assistant Professor and Associate Scientist, Dept. of Zoology and Genetics / EEOB, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
2000-2001	Affiliate Assistant Professor, Dept. of Zoology and Genetics, Iowa State University.
1999-2000	Postdoctorate Associate, Dept. of Zoology and Genetics, Dr. Frederic Janzen, Iowa State University.
1995-1998	Research Principal Investigator, Fundación Puerto Rastrojo, Colombia.
1991-1993	Researcher, Fundación Puerto Rastrojo, Colombia.

 

external grants

2009-2011	Colciencias (Colombia’s National Science Foundation) – “Maternal and paternal effects on hatchling sex ratio and fitness in the riverine turtle Podocnemis lewyana”. PI: V. Páez, Grupo Herpetológico de Antioquia, Colombia. Co-PI: N. Valenzuela.
2009-2012	National Science Foundation – Eukaryotic Genetics MCB 0815354: “COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: Sex Chromosome Evolution in Turtles” PI: N. Valenzuela, CoPI: S.V. Edwards (Harvard University) • 2011 REU supplement MCB-1112116
2008-2011	National Science Foundation – Developmental Systems IOS 0743284: “Gene expression response to naturally fluctuating temperature in turtles with alternative sex determining mechanisms” • 2008 RET supplement IOS-0826664 • 2008 REU supplement IOS-0824550 • 2009 RET supplement IOS-0924290 • 2009 REU supplement IOS-0925486 • 2010 RET supplement IOS-0924290
2008-2009	National Science Foundation – IOB Division: “Symposium: Reptile genomics and evolutionary genetics”. (Co-Organizers: D.E. Janes and C.L. Organ, Harvard University).
2008-2010	National Science Foundation – DEB Division: “DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Phenotypic plasticity, sexual size dimorphism and Rensch's rule in freshwater turtles”
2006-2007	Turtle Conservation Fund: “Environmental effects on fitness of embryos and hatchlings of the endangered Arrau River Turtle, Podocnemis expansa, with important conservation implications”, CoPI with C. Ceballos.
2006-2007	Scott Neotropical Fund, Cleveland Zoo: “Metapopulation Genetics of the freshwater turtle Podocnemis unifilis”, CoPI with T. Escalona.
2003-2004	Lincoln Park Zoo: “Effect of nest transplant on hatchling sex and viability: an evaluation of conservation practices for the giant river turtle (Podocnemis expansa) in Venezuela” (Co-P.I., with C. Peñaloza and G. Barreto).
1998-2000	National Science Foundation. Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant. “Temperature-dependent sex determination in Podocnemis expansa”. (Co-PI, with C. Janson).
1996-1998	Colciencias (Colombian NSF equivalent): “Temperature-dependent sex determination and population structure of Podocnemis expansa from Colombian Amazonia”
1996-1998	PADI Foundation: “Determination of multiple paternity in the giant river turtle Podocnemis expansa”.

 

teaching experience

2010	Undergraduate Seminar (Biol 495) Evolutionary Ecology of Sex, Iowa State University.
2009, '08, '07, '06, '05, '04:	Environmental Biology (Biol 173, former Biol 123), Undergraduate, Iowa State University
2009, '08	Honors Research (HON 280H VM), Undergraduate, Iowa State University.
2009, '08, '07 (S, S, F)	Individual Student Biology Research (Biol 490R), Undergraduate, Iowa State University.
2008, '06	Evolutionary Ecology (EEOB 514), Graduate, Iowa State University.
2007	Evolutionary Ecology of Sex (EEOB 590B), Graduate, Iowa State University.
2007	Biology Internship (Biol 494), Undergraduate, Iowa State University.
2000- 2001	Undergraduate Mentoring in Environmental Biology Seminar, Dept. of Zoology and Genetics, Iowa State University.
1999-2000	General Biology Laboratory, Undergraduate, Dept. of Zoology and Genetics, Iowa State University.
1997-1998	Teaching Assistant: General Ecology, Ecology Laboratory, Ecology. Dept. of Ecology and Evolution, SUNY at Stony Brook, New York.
1995	Teaching Assistant: General Ecology, Lab instructor of Cat Anatomy, Elementary Organismic Biology. Dept. of Ecology and Evolution, SUNY at Stony Brook, NY
1991	Laboratory Instructor: Genetics. Universidad de Los Andes, Colombia.

awards and scholarships

2004	National Society of Collegiate Scholars Faculty of the Year Student Nominee
1995	Fulbright Comission. Exceptional Research Award.
1993	Fulbright Comission, Amazon Basin Program. Scholarship.
1986	José Antonio Galán Fund, Colombia. Scholarship.
1986	ICETEX, Colombia. Scholarship.

PUBLICATIONS

COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reprints of published articles are provided as a service to enhance accessibility and the exchange of information. In downloading, you agree to comply with United States copyright law (Title 17, United States Code), such that the reprints are not to be "used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research." All copyrights remain with the original publishers of the articles. Please make only a single copy of any article, for personal use only.

 

Updated 5/12/2011

 

2011

45. Bachtrog D., Kirkpatrick M, Mank, J.E., McDaniel S.F., Pires J.C., Rice W. and Valenzuela N. 2011. Are all sex chromosomes created equal? Trends in Genetics DOI:10.1016/j.tig.2011.05.005 PDF.

44. Ceballos, C. and Valenzuela, N. The role of sex-specific plasticity in shaping sexual dimorphism in a long-lived vertebrate, the snapping turtle Chelydra serpentina. Evolutionary Biology 38: 163-181. PDF

43. Neuwald J.L. and Valenzuela N. 2011. The Lesser Known Challenge of Climate Change: Thermal Variance and Sex-Reversal in Vertebrates with Temperature-Dependent Sex Determination PloS ONE 6(3): e18117. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0018117. PDF

42. Valenzuela N. and Adams D.C. 2011. Chromosome number and sex determination co-evolve in turtles Evolution 65: 1808-1813. PDF

41. Janes, D.E., Valenzuela N., Ezaz T., Amemiya C., and Edwards S.V. 2011. Sex chromosome evolution in Amniotes: applications for bacterial artificial chromosome libraries. Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology Vol 2011, doi:10.1155/2011/132975 PDF.

 

2010

40. Valenzuela, N. 2010. Co-evolution of genomic structure and selective forces underlying sexual development and reproduction. Cytogenetics and Genome Research 127:232–241 PDF.

39. Valenzuela, N. 2010. Multivariate expression analysis of the gene network underlying sexual development in turtle embryos with temperature-dependent and genotypic sex determination. Sexual Development 4 (1-2): 39-49 PDF.

 

2009

38. Valenzuela, N. 2009. The painted turtle, Chrysemys picta: A model system for vertebrate evolution, ecology, and human health. Cold Spring Harbor Protocols 2009: DOI:10.1101/pdb.emo124 PDF.

37. Valenzuela, N. 2009. Egg incubation and collection of painted turtle embryos. Cold Spring Harbor Protocols 2009 DOI:10.1101/pdb.prot5238 PDF.

36. Escalona, T., Adams, D.C., and Valenzuela, N. 2009. Nesting ecology in the freshwater turtle Podocnemis unifilis: spatiotemporal patterns and inferred explanations. Functional Ecology 23: 826-835 PDF.

35. Escalona, T., Engstrom T.N., Hernandez O.E., Bock B.C., Vogt R.C. and Valenzuela N. 2009. Population genetics of the endangered South American freshwater turtle, Podocnemis unifilis, inferred from microsatellite DNA data. Conservation Genetics 10: 1683–1696 PDF.

 

 

2008

34. Chinsamy, A. and Valenzuela, N. 2008. Skeletochronology of the endangered side-neck turtles Podocnemis expansa. South African Journal of Science 104(7/8): 311-314 PDF

33. Martinez, P., Ezaz T., Valenzuela, N., Georges, A., and Graves J.A.M. 2008. An XX/XY heteromorphic sex chromosome system in the Australian chelid turtle Emydura macquarii, a new piece in the puzzle of sex chromosome evolution in turtles. Chromosome Research 16(6): 815-825 PDF

32. Valenzuela, N. 2008. Sexual development and the evolution of sex determination. Sexual Development 2(2): 64-72. PDF

31. Valenzuela, N. 2008. Evolution of the gene network underlying gonadogenesis in turtles with temperature-dependent and genotypic sex determination. Integrative and Comparative Biology 48 (4): 476-485. PDF Full Text

30. Janes D.E., Organ C., and Valenzuela N. 2008. New resources inform study of genome size, content and organization in non-avian reptiles. Integrative and Comparative Biology 48(4): 447-453. PDF Full Text

29. Valenzuela, N. 2008. Relic thermosensitive gene expression in a turtle with genotypic sex determination. Evolution 62-1: 234-240. PDF

 

2007

 

28. McGaugh, S.E., Alacs E.A., Edwards S.V., Feldman C.R., Georges A., Sites, J.R.Jr., Valenzuela N. 2007. From molecules to organisms: Research applications of modern genetic tools for turtle biology and conservation. Chelonian Research Monographs 4: 47-72. PDF

27. Valenzuela, N. and Shikano T. 2007. Embryological ontogeny of Aromatase gene expression in Chrysemys picta and Apalone mutica turtles: comparative patterns within and across temperature-dependent and genotypic sex-determining mechanisms. Development, Genes and Evolution 217: 55–62. PDF

 

2006

 

26. Valenzuela, N., LeClere A., and Shikano T. 2006. Comparative expression of steroidogenic factor 1 in Chrysemys picta and Apalone mutica turtles with environmental and genotypic sex determination. Evolution and Development 8 (5): 424-432 PDF

25. Ezaz T., Valenzuela, N., Gruetzner F., Miura I., Burke R., Georges, A. and Graves J.M. 2006. Cryptic XY sex chromosome system in a GSD turtle, Chelodina longicollis (Chelidae, Reptilia). Chromosome Research 14:139-150 PDF

24. Pearse, D.E., A.D. Arndt, N. Valenzuela, B.A. Miller, V. Cantarelli, J.W. Sites, Jr. 2006. Estimating population structure under non-equilibrium conditions in a conservation context: Continent-wide population genetics of the giant Amazon river turtle Podocnemis expansa (Chelonia; Podocnemidae). Molecular Ecology 15: 985-1006  PDF

23. Valenzuela, N. 2006. (Book Review). Incubation of Reptile Eggs: Basics, Guidelines, Experiences, by Gunther Kohler. Quarterly Review of Biology 81:290-291. PDF

 

2004

 

22. BOOK: Valenzuela, N. and V. Lance, Eds. 2004. Temperature Dependent Sex Determination in Vertebrates. Smithsonian Books. Washington D.C PDF INFO

21. Valenzuela, N., D.C. Adams, R.M. Bowden, and A.C. Gauger 2004. Geometric morphometric sex estimation for hatchling turtles: a powerful alternative for detecting subtle sexual shape dimorphism. Copeia. 2004(4): 735–742 PDF

20. Valenzuela, N. 2004. Evolution and maintenance of temperature-dependent sex determination. Pp. 131-147. In Valenzuela, N. and V. Lance, Eds. Temperature Dependent Sex Determination in Vertebrates. Smithsonian Books. Washington D.C PDF

19. Valenzuela, N. 2004. Temperature-dependent sex determination. Pp. 211-227. In Deeming D.C. Ed. Reptilian Incubation: Environment & Behaviour. Nottingham University Press. PDF

 

2003

 

18. Valenzuela, N., D.C. Adams, and F.J. Janzen. 2003. Pattern does not equal process: Exactly when is sex environmentally determined? American Naturalist 161 (4): 676-683  PDF

17. Kagima, B. W., N. Valenzuela, T. Engstrom, B. Bock. 2003. Preliminary population genetic study of the yellow spotted Amazon river turtle (Podocnemis unifilis) using microsatellite DNA data. Integrative and Comparative Biology 43: 1025-1025.

 

2001

 

16. Milne-Morjan, C. and N. Valenzuela. 2001. Is ground-nuzzling by female turtles associated with soil surface temperatures? Journal of Herpetology 35(4): 668-672  PDF

15. Valenzuela, N. and F. J. Janzen. 2001. Nest-site philopatry and the evolution of temperature-dependent sex determination. Evolutionary Ecology Research 3: 779-794  PDF

14. Valenzuela, N. 2001. Constant, shift and natural temperature effects on sex determination in Podocnemis expansa turtles. Ecology 82(11): 3010–3024  PDF

13. Valenzuela, N. 2001. Maternal effects on life history traits in the Amazonian giant river turtle Podocnemis expansa. Journal of Herpetology 35(3): 368-378 PDF

12. Valenzuela, N. 2001. Genetic differentiation among nesting beaches in the highly migratory giant river turtle (Podocnemis expansa) from Colombia. Herpetologica 57(1): 48-57   PDF

 

2000

 

11. Valenzuela, N. 2000. Multiple paternity in side-neck turtles Podocnemis expansa: evidence from microsatellite DNA data. Molecular Ecology 9: 99-106 PDF

 

1997

 

10. Adams, D. C., M. S. Di Bitetti, C. H. Janson, L. B. Slobodkin, and N. Valenzuela.  1997. An “audience effect” for ecological terminology: use and misuse of jargon. Oikos 80:632-636 PDF

9. Valenzuela, N, E. Martínez, and R. Botero.  1997. Field study of sex determination in Podocnemis expansa from Colombian Amazonia. Herpetologica 53(3):390-398   PDF

 

1995

 

8. Valenzuela, N, E. Martínez, and R. Botero. 1995. Preliminary model of sex determination of Podocnemis expansa from Colombian Amazonia. Proceedings of the International Congress of Chelonian Conservation and Biology. Pp. 276-278.

1992

 

7. Lance,V.A., N. Valenzuela and P. von Hildebrand. 1992. A hormonal method to determine the sex of hatchling giant river turtles, Podocnemis expansa. Application to endangered species research. American Zoologist 32:16A PDF

 

Undergraduate work (1990-1994)

 

6. Valenzuela, N. 1994. Early behavioral development of three wild infant Cebus apella in Colombia. Current Primatology, Volume II. Social Development, Learning and Behaviour. (Roeder, J.J., Thierry, B., Anderson, J.R. and N. Herrenschmidt, eds.). Selected Proceedings of the XIVth Congress of the IPS, Strasbourg, France, 1992. Pp. 297-302.

5. Valenzuela, N. 1993. Social contacts between infants and other group members in the wild Cebus apella. Field Studies of New World Monkeys at La Macarena, Colombia 8: 1-9 PDF

4. Valenzuela, N. 1992. Early development of three wild infant Cebus apella at La Macarena, Colombia. Field Studies of New World Monkeys at La Macarena, Colombia 6: 15-23  PDF

3. Espinel A. and N. Valenzuela. 1991. Adaptaciones genéticas a la malaria en poblaciones afroaborígenes del Pacífico Colombiano. Revista de Antropología y Arqueología. 7:117-130 PDF

2. Groot de Restrepo, H., A. Espinel, N. Valenzuela, D. Sicard, P. Angulo, and D. Nieto. 1991. Variabilidad Genética en el Género Cebus en Colombia. Proceedings of the II Congreso de Primatología, Barranquilla, Colombia.

1. Espinel A., N. Valenzuela, A. Fajardo, J. Umaña, and G. Quintero. 1990. Breve reseña de las actividades primatológicas en Colombia. Boletín Primatología Latinoamericana 2(1):62-68.

 

COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reprints of published articles are provided as a service to enhance accessibility and the exchange of information. In downloading, you agree to comply with United States copyright law (Title 17, United States Code), such that the reprints are not to be "used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research." All copyrights remain with the original publishers of the articles. Please make only a single copy of any article, for personal use only.