Nicole Valenzuela

A new wrinkle in turtles: Their genomes fold in a unique way

A new study led by evolutionary biologist Nicole Valenzuela describes the three-dimensional architecture of turtle genomes, which fold in a configuration unlike any other animal observed so far. Read More

November 11, 2024

Lab-grown liver organoid to speed up turtle research

The discovery will aid deeper study of turtle genetics, including the cause of traits with potential medical applications for humans, such as the ability to survive weeks without oxygen. Read More

March 5, 2024

Four LAS researchers honored by American Association for the Advancement of Science

Diane Bassham, Sarah Nusser, Nicole Valenzuela and Jim Vary among six Iowa State researchers honored for their distinguished work. Read More

January 27, 2022

New study sheds light on function of sex chromosomes in turtles

Nicole Valenzuela, professor of ecology, evolution and organismal biology publishes study in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B. Read More

July 26, 2021

Searching the ancient depths of a reptilian genome yields insight into all vertebrates

Iowa State University scientist Nicole Valenzuela contributed to a global effort to assemble the genome of the tuatara, a rare reptile species native to New Zealand. Read More

August 12, 2020

Climate change could devastate painted turtles, according to new study

Research from Iowa State University professor of ecology, evolution and organismal biology Nicole Valenzuela is sounding the alarm about the painted turtle’s future in a new study. Read More

March 12, 2019

Turtle and bird genomes provide tantalizing clues to dinosaur genomics

Comparing how the chromosomes of modern-day birds and turtles are structured can help scientists figure out how dinosaur genomes might have looked. Read More

May 21, 2018