Science and Medical Editing and Writing

After earning her Ph.D. from the University of California at Santa Cruz, Val Gerard worked as a research biologist at Dalhousie University and the California Institute of Technology, doing research in marine ecology and development of alternative energy resources. She ultimately accepted a faculty position at the State University of New York, Stony Brook, and retired from that position in 1999.

During her academic career, Val published over fifty papers in the fields of ecology, botany, zoology, physiology, biochemistry, and mathematical modeling (see her publication list, below). She wrote a million dollars worth of successful grant proposals to federal, state, and private funding agencies. Val served as advisor and/or mentor to many students, and she has over thirty years of experience in classroom teaching, including scientific writing courses. She also acted as associate editor, editorial board member, and/or reviewer for over twenty scientific journals, including Science.

SPECIALITIES

Science editing and writing
Medical editing and writing
Including: medicine, biology, chemistry, physiology, oceanography,
environmental science, environmental policy

ACADEMIC POSITIONS

Adjunct, University of Oregon, Cascades Campus 2001-02
Associate/Assistant Professor, SUNY Stony Brook 1983-1999 (retired 1999)
Visiting Associate Professor, University of Oregon 1998
Visiting Associate Professor, University of California, Davis 1990
Research Fellow, California Institute of Technology 1978-83

PUBLICATIONS

Korb, R. & V.A.Gerard. 2000. Effects of concurrent low temperature and low nitrogen supply on polar and temperate seaweeds. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 198:73-82
Korb, R. & V.A..Gerard. 2000. Nutrient assimilation characteristics of polar seaweeds from differing nitrogen environments. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 198:83-92
Gerard, V.A., R.M. Cerrato & A. Larson. 1999. Potential impacts of a western Pacific grapsid crab on intertidal communities of the northwestern Atlantic Ocean. Biol.Invasions 1:353-361
Gerard, V.A. 1999. Positive interactions between cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora, and the brown alga, Ascophyllum nodosum ecad scorpioides, in a mid-Atlantic coast salt marsh. J.Exp.Mar.Biol.Ecol. 239:157-164
Gerard, V.A. 1997. The role of nitrogen nutrition in high-temperature tolerance of the kelp, Laminaria saccharina (Chromophyta). J.Phycol. 33:800-810
Gerard, V.A. 1997. Environmental stress during early development of kelp sporophytes (Laminaria saccharina): How long do effects persist? J.Appl.Phycol. 9:5-9
Gerard, V.A., & T. Driscoll. 1996. A spectrophotometric assay for Rubisco activity: application to the kelp Laminaria saccharina and implications for radiometric assays. J.Phycol. 32:880-884
Bruhn, J., & V.A. Gerard. 1996. Photoinhibition and recovery of the kelp, Laminaria saccharina, at optimal and superoptimal temperatures. Mar.Biol. 125: 639-648
Gerard, V.A. 1995. Recent changes in nearshore, communities in Long Island Sound. Proc.Long Island Sound Res.Conf. NY Sea Grant Inst. Publ. no. NYSGI-W-94-001, pp. 77-79
Gerard, V.A. & C.N. Conarck. 1991. Identifying the cause an early onset of seizures in puppies with epileptic parents. Vet.Med. 11:1060-61
Gerard, V.A. 1990. Ecotypic differentiation in the kelp Laminaria saccharina: phase-specific adaptation in a complex life-cycle. Mar.Biol. 107:519-528
Gerard, V.A., S. Dunham & G. Rosenberg. 1990. Nitrogen-fixation by cyanobacteria associated with Codium fragile (Chlorophyta): environmental effects and transfer of fixed nitrogen. Mar.Biol. 105:1-8
Burgman, M.A. & V.A. Gerard. 1990. A stage-structured, stochastic population model of the giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera. Mar.Biol. 105:15-23
Greene, R.M. & V.A. Gerard. 1990. Effects of high-frequency light fluctuations on growth and photoacclimation of the red alga, Chondrus crispus. Mar.Biol. 105:337-344
Gerard, V.A. 1990. Let's be honest about epilepsy. Dog World 75:26-29
Gerard, V.A. 1989. Seaweeds, pp. 205-212. In The Biomass Handbook. Gordon and Breach, London
Gerard, V.A. 1988. Ecotypic differentiation in light-related traits of Laminaria saccharina. Mar.Biol. 97:25-36
Gerard, V.A. & K. DuBois. 1988. Temperature ecotypes near the southern boundary of the kelp, Laminaria saccharina. Mar.Biol. 97:575-80
Gerard, V.A. 1987. Hydrodynamic streamlining of Laminaria saccharina in response to mechanical stress. J.Exp.Mar.Biol.Ecol. 107:237-244
Gerard, V.A., K. DuBois & R. Greene. 1987. Growth of two Laminaria saccharina populations to environmental variation. Hydrobiologia 151:229-232
Gerard, V.A. 1987. Optimizing biomass production on marine farms. In Seaweed cultivation for renewable resources. Elsevier, Amsterdam
Gerard, V.A. 1986. Photosynthetic characteristics of Macrocystis pyrifera determined in situ. Mar.Biol. 90:473-482
Gerard, V.A. 1984. The light environment in a giant kelp forest: influence of Macrocystis pyrifera on spatial and temporal variability. Mar.Biol. 84:189-195
Gerard, V.A. 1984. Physiological effects of El Nino on giant kelp in southern California. Mar.Bio.Lett. 5:317-22
Gerard, V.A. & W.J. North. 1984. Measuring growth, production, and yield of the giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera. Hydrobiologia 116:321-324
Gerard, V.A. & H. Kirkman. 1984. Ecological observations on a branched, loose-lying form of Macrocystis pyrifera (L.) C. Agardh in New Zealand. Bot.Mar. 27:105-109
Gerard, V.A. 1982. In situ water motion and nutrient uptake by the giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera. Mar.Biol. 69:51-54
Gerard, V.A. 1982. In situ rates of nitrate uptake by Macrocystis pyrifera: tissue differences, environmental effects, and predictions of N-limited growth. J.Exp.Mar.Biol.Ecol. 62:211-224
Gerard, V.A. 1982. Growth and utilization of internal nitrogen reserves by the giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera in a low nitrogen environment. Mar.Biol. 66:27-35
Manley, S., L. Anderson, V. Gerard, J. Kuwabara, & W. North. 1982. Environmental considerations involved in farming Macrocystis. Proc.Intern. Gas Res.Conf. pp. 693-8
North, W.J., V.A. Gerard, & J. Kuwabara. 1982. Farming Macrocystis at coastal and oceanic sites. In Synthetic and degradative processes in marine macrophytes. Walter de Gruyter, Berlin.
Gerard, V.A. & W.J. North. 1981. Kelp growth on an ocean farm in relation to fertilizing. Proc. Internat.Seaweed Symp. 10:581-586
North, W.J., V.A. Gerard, & R. McPeak. 1981. Experimental fertilizing of coastal Macrocystis beds. Proc.Internat. Seaweed Symp. 10:613-618
North, W.J. V.A. Gerard, & J. Kuwabara. 1981. Biomass production by freshwater and marine macrophytes. In Biomass as a nonfossil fuel source. ACS Symp.Ser. 144
Gerard, V.A. & K.H. Mann. 1979. Growth and production of Laminaria longicruris populations exposed to different intensities of water movement. J.Phycol. 15:33-41
Gerard, V.A. 1979. Neptune's jungle. Anim.Kingd. 82:19-25
Pearse, J.S. & V.A. Gerard. 1977. Kelp forests. In Coastal ecosystem management. John Wiley, NY

Feedback

"Val has been a great asset for my academic career. She asks smart questions about the data presented with such thoughtful insight that is like a reviewer. In addition, she responds very fast, so I can always count with her help. I consider her as part of my team, as now she plays a very important role. My ability to communicate has improved also, as a result of her comments to my writings. I have already recommended her to my colleagues!" M.D./Ph.D. in Neuroepidemiology, Venezuela, 2007 (contact information on request).

"Val provides express and professional service that is worth using. She made my work better, clearer, and truer." Researcher in Physical Oceanography, Thailand, 2007 (contact information on request).

"DONE!!! The paperwork is signed and submitted, the after-defense party has been held, and I am feeling very good!!! As far as congratulations go - you deserve MUCH credit. Thank you once again, Val. That mock defense was incredibly helpful, as at least 2 questions were nearly word-for-word! Your assistance with the talk was also of great benefit, as [my advisor] said that it was one of the best defense presentations he had ever witnessed! I can put this project on the 'finally finished' pile. Your help in all this has been pivotal. I will never forget it. I have never—in my life—ever—received such targeted, useful professional advice, and productive feedback. It has been a true pleasure working with you, and learning a new way of writing and putting together a scientific story. 'Thank you' are words that seem so small, as they stand against the great sense of honor and gratitude I hold for you within. Please know, Val, that I am very thankful - for your patient and technically excellent work has helped to bring freedom of mind, that in turn is already opening new and exciting avenues to my life. As you have taught me much and brought much good into my life, I hope to use what I have learned to bring much good into the lives of others." Successful Ph.D. candidate in Ecology, U.S., 2007 (contact information on request).

"Thanks Val, I could never have ventured to this point without all of your kind words and great editing skills. I really appreciate all of your help from the bottom of my heart." Successful M.S. candidate in Physiology, Australia, 2007.

"I finished making the suggested revisions to the first three chapters of my thesis. Thank you very much for your insightful help...I was extremely happy with the document when I reread it after the editing process. I also feel that I can now identify some of my reoccurring flaws in my writing. Thank you again and all the best." Successful Ph.D. candidate in Biomedical Engineering, U.S. 2007

"I was extremely reticent to put my dissertation manuscript in the hands of an editor that I didn’t even know. However, Valerie was superb! She helped me to order my dissertation in a clear and concise manuscript that was not only easier to read but also sharper and very well organized. Since the beginning she answered all my questions making the whole process a good experience. She works fast and is very competent. After several revisions from my advisor I was thinking that my manuscript was in good shape, but Valerie’s input make it so much better. I also learned about writing thanks to her advice during the editing. Without a doubt, her dedication saved me from hours of senseless self-editing and frustration." Successful Ph.D. candidate in Oceanography, U.S., 2006 (contact information on request).

"Thank you so much for your help on this project. I’m sure other people don’t drag things out this much but I wouldn’t have ever finished this without your help." Professor of Veterinary Medicine, U.S., 2006

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