Dr Deborah Villalon
About
Deborah Kay Villalon
Present Position
Biology Professor
Education
Ph.D.in Plant Physiology and Biotechnology
Texas A&M University, College Station, TX May 2000
Master of Science in Plant Pathology and Microbiology
Texas A&M University, College Station, TX May 1994
Bachelor of Arts in Biology
Princeton University, Princeton, NJ May 1987
Professional Experience
South Texas College in McAllen, Texas
2006- 2020 Instructor Department of Biology, South Texas College
Academic Appointments
STC Mid Valley Campus Biology Club Advisor 2006-2015
STC Biology Lead Instructor 2010
TAKS Tutoring for High School Students 2006-2007
Co-PI USDA NIFA grant: Integrating community college students and organic farmers throughout feasibility studies in pest management, and horticulture production in South Texas 2010-2012
Co-PI USDA grant: STEP UP to USDA Career Success 2011-2016
Young Scientists of Rio Grande Valley 2017-present
Subtropical Agriculture and Environments Board member and past president 2012-present
TexEd Prep Excellence in Teaching Advisory Board member 2009-2011
National Institute for Staff and Orgnizational Development 2008-2010
Community Service Appointments
Girl Scouts of Greater South Texas Board member 2014-2016
Valley Nature Center Board member, vice president 2013-present
Frontera Audobon Society Board Member 2010-2012
TAMU Healthy South Texas and TAMU Team Coordinator for Walk Across Texas 2015-2017
Weslaco Beautiful Committee 2006-2016
American Cancer Society Board - Southern Division member and past president 2006-2012
Mid Valley Relay for Life Steering Committee 2002-2012
Leadership Mid Valley 2008
Weslaco Lion's Club 2008-2015
Master Gardeners 2005-present
Volunteer of the Year, Weslaco Area Chamber of Commerce 2008
Outstanding Citizen of the Year, Weslaco Area Chamber of Commerce 2012
Weslaco Independent School District at Weslaco, Texas
2001–2006 High School Science Teacher
Co-sponsor of the Weslaco High School Science Club
Sponsor 4H Nature Club and recipient of Texas Environmental Excellence Award 2006
Coordinator for Weslaco High School Science Fair
South Texas Community College Adjunct Staff member for Biology (August 2002 -2006)
Human Genome Sequencing Center at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas
2000 –2001 Project Director for the High Throughput cDNA Sequencing Team
developed production line process for high throughput concatenated cDNA sequencing
developed and utilized novel bioinformatics tools for clone tracking and analysis
interviewed, trained and supervised a team of (7) research scientists
coordinated and presented project reviews at national and international meetings
coordinated several collaborative projects with other academic/medical physicians both at Baylor College of Medicine and internationally
chief liaison between National Cancer Institute- Mammalian Gene Collection national cDNA sequencing project and the Human Genome Sequencing Center
conducted experimentation in cDNA library construction and microarray technologies
familiarity with UNIX operating systems and PERL programming
assembled, edited and blasted cDNA sequences using PHRED/PHRAP, XGAP4 and CONSED
International Paper Company at Bainbridge, Georgia
1996 – 1999 Project Leader for Genetic Engineering Team
invented a unique protocol for genetic engineering of tree species (provisional application for record of invention in progress)
correspondent between IP and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to establish first field trials of genetically engineered trees
interviewed, trained and supervised a team of (5) research scientists
coordinated and presented project reviews
coordinated several collaborative projects with other companies and universities
promoted incorporation of a career building program for biotechnology team members
Texas A&M University at College Station, Texas
1990 –1991 Teaching Assistant for Introductory Plant Pathology
taught introductory plant pathology laboratory course
initiated and supervised a student/faculty project to produce a lab manual
organized and facilitated a new laboratory for undergraduate teaching
1989-1990 Research Associate in the Plant Tissue Culture lab
trained lab technicians and student workers in molecular biology techniques (i.e. genomic DNA extraction, protein extractions, Western blot analysis, plasmid cloning, southern blot analysis and polymerase chain reaction, etc.)
prepared and established a lab radioactive safety center and trained others for the use of isotopes
reviewed manuscripts for publication
Institute for Molecular Genetics and Howard Hughs Medical Institute Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas
1987 – 1989 Laboratory Technician II in the Molecular Genetics lab
used retrovirus vectors to transfer and express human adenosine deaminase in vitro and in vivo in a mouse bone marrow transplantation model
assisted in bone marrow transplants (i.e. irradiating and injecting recipient mice)
utilized various techniques for molecular analysis of transgenic mice(i.e. extracted protein from blood and organs to conduct isoelectric focusing and Western blot analysis; purified DNA to detect integration by southern blot analysis and polymerase chain reaction, conducted large scale plasmid purification, subcloning and sequencing
maintained fibroblast cultures
prepared posters and slides for presentations
reviewed manuscripts for publication
Texas A&M Agricultural Experiment Station in Weslaco, Texas
Summers 1984, 85, 86 Laboratory Technician Assistant in the Plant Cell and Tissue Culture lab
initiated and maintained semisolid and liquid suspension cultures of sugar cane and sorghum explant resources
investigated best tissue source for somatic embryogenesis of sorghum
prepared histological samples of cultures using paraffin embedding techniques
photographed and developed prints of cultures for presentations and laboratory records
instructed student workers
I love biology as a scientist and as an instructor!
Highlights
Photos and videos
No reviews (yet)
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I like to interview my students to understand their interest in biology or other pursuits. Of course, I talk about myself first so that feel comfortable with the repore.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I grew up in the RGV, graduated from Weslaco Hgih School and attended Princeton University and Texas A&M for my undergraduate and graduate studies. I worked as a reserch scientists for ~15 years before becoming a teacher at WHS and South Texas College for the past 19 years. I love biology!
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I do not have a standard price for tutoring.
How did you get started teaching?
My father is research scientist and my mother is a kindergaten bilingual education teacher. They are retired now and live half of their time at South Padre Island and the other half in Weslaco. I followed in their footsteps as they were both very successful in their fields.
What types of students have you worked with?
I tought 5 years at Weslaco High school and 14 years at South Texas College.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
Over my years as a science teacher, I have been a leader in the area of community service and service learning in the classroom. It involves a continuous commitment to others which provides students with a practical purpose for their education. These volunteer works include American Cancer Society, environmental assistance at local parks, campus beautification, etc.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
With my experience as a project director and professor in an academic field, I have a lot of knowledge to provide, especially in biology as I have worked in the plant and animal fields of molecular biology. My advice to the student is "be prepared" to learn something new with every topic. I have developed several methods of communication to all types of learners.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
What is your time commitment to tutoring? Do you have time for an occasional homework assignment?
What is your preference, online or in person?
Consider how the subject matter is being taught so that I can offer alternatives incuding visuals, powerpoints, textbooks, etc.