Valerie Paul, Ph.D.

Tahoe Community Talk and Social: Reef Chemistry

College of Science | University of Nevada, Reno

Join us for Dr. Valerie Paul's talk on "Reef Chemistry" followed by a reception at the beautiful University of Nevada, Reno, Lake Tahoe!

University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe

The Hitchcock Center for Chemical Ecology Symposium is pleased to open its final presentation to the public! Join us for Dr. Valerie Paul's talk on "Reef Chemisty - the Invisible Forces Shaping Coral Reef Ecosystems"!Beneath the ocean’s surface lies a hidden world of intricate connections, where plants, animals, and chemistry are deeply intertwined. In this talk, explore the powerful compounds produced by cyanobacteria, the silent chemical battles waged between corals and algae, and the subtle signals that guide baby corals back home to their reefs. Discover how these unseen interactions shape the health and survival of marine ecosystems—and why they matter more than ever...Chemical ecology has its roots in the study of ecological and behavioral interactions in terrestrial plants, microbes and insects. More recently, studies of chemical ecology in marine environments have led to an increased understanding of how small organic compounds, often called natural products, can protect marine organisms from being eaten, overgrown or attacked by pathogens. During this same time, changing ocean conditions have contributed to algal blooms, increased incidence of marine diseases and coral bleaching. Marine heat waves are also contributing to increased macroalgal and cyanobacterial abundance on reefs. Algal natural products can play a role in algal competition with corals and other reef organisms. This talk will focus on three ongoing interests in my laboratory related to chemical ecology: marine cyanobacteria, coral-algal competition, and settlement cues for coral larvae.Valerie Paul is the Director and Head Scientist of the Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce, Florida. She received a Ph.D. in Marine Biology from UC San Diego, Scripps Institution of Oceanography. As a former Professor at the University of Guam Marine Laboratory she developed a research program specializing in marine chemical ecology, plant-herbivore interactions, coral reef ecology, marine cyanobacteria and marine natural products that is ongoing. She is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and a Sigma Xi Fellow. She is the author or co-author of over 370 scientific research publications. Her work on coral reefs has been recognized with the Eminence in Research Award from the International Coral Reef Society in 2020.

Agenda

Check-In 

Valerie Paul, Ph.D. - Reef Chemisty

Join us as we continue the conversation at the Hitchcock Center for Chemical Ecology Symposium's annual social on the stunning grounds of the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe's campus.  Refreshments will be available from local food trucks. 

Social Reception

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Tahoe Community Talk and Social: Reef Chemistry

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Tahoe Community Talk and Social: Reef Chemistry

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