Valencia Mestre, Mariana – CV

Mariana Cecilia Valencia Mestre, Ph. D. BVM Hall 422 / Institute of Environmental Sustainability / Loyola University / 6349 N. Kenmore Ave. Chicago, IL 60660 / [email protected]

Current Position Lecturer, Institute of Environmental 2018-Current Sustainability Loyola University Chicago

Previous Position Researcher, Ecology and Evolutionary July 2017-May 2018 Biology, University of Science Communication Fellow, Museum of January-May 2018 Natural History,

Education

PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, 2017 University of Michigan Master in Science, Ecology and Evolutionary 2010 Biology, University of -Chicago Bachelor in Biology, Emphasis in Plant 2006 Science, University of Panama

Research Interests Agroecology / Sustainable food systems and farming / Rural sociology / Plant Ecology / Political Ecology / Restoration Ecology

Academic Teaching Undergraduate Courses - Loyola University Chicago Sustainable Agriculture (ENVS 325; ENVS 425) The Scientific Basis of Environmental Issues (ENVS 101) Principles of Ecology Lab (ENVS 286 for non-science majors) Principles of Ecology Lab (ENVS 286S for science majors) Soil Ecology (ENVS 223)

Field Course - Loyola University Chicago Agroecosystems (ENVS 326)

Valencia Mestre, Mariana – CV

Independent Study Courses - Loyola University Chicago Environmental Research Capstone (ENVS 391) Isabel Hoyos Arango, Spontaneous Silvo-Pastoral Systems in Panama Spring 2020

Directed Readings (ENVS 399) Patrick Baranovskis, Agriculture and Revolution - an Ecosocialist Manifesto Fall 2019

Teaching Assistant positions – University of Michigan Food, Energy, and the Environment fall semester 2011 – 2013 Practical Botany winter semester 2013 Intro Ecology and Evolutionary Biology winter semester 2012

Teaching Assistant positions – University of Illinois-Chicago Population and Community Ecology winter semester 2009 Organism and Cellular Biology 6 semesters from 2007 – 2010

Student Research Mentorship

Isabel Hoyos Arango, Agroecological Cattle Ranching in Colombia, Current Loyola Undergraduate Research Opportunity Fellowship $2000

Erin Figley, Tree Cover Map Digitization, University of Michigan March-Dec. 2015

Tiaris Olmos, Tree Survey Across Cattle Farms in Panama, University May-August 2012, of Michigan 2013

Leo Mena, Bird Diversity on Life Fences, Smithsonian Tropical January-March Research Institute Internship 2011

Nisreen Tayebjee, Restoration Ecology in Mexico, June-July 2008 National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduate Fellowship

Teaching Assistants Supervised Olivia Niosi, Principles of Ecology Lab, Loyola University Spring 2019 Chicago

Erin Kilbane, Principles of Ecology Lab, Loyola University Fall 2019 Chicago

Valencia Mestre, Mariana – CV

Other Mentorship

Kaxie Mayo, Loyola University Chicago Empowering Fall 2019 and Spring 2020 Sisterhood (LUCES)

Co-mentorship, Association for Women in Science Mentoring 2018 Circle

Co-mentorship, Dissertation Writing groups, Sweetland Writing 2016-2017 Center, University of Michigan

Lizette Ramírez, Big Sister EEB Program 2013

Additional teaching preparation Preparing Future Faculty. Center for Research on Learning and Teaching, 2017 (1 month) University of Michigan. Teaching Socio-Environmental Synthesis with Case Studies. National 2015 (1 week) Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (SESYNC). Graduate Student Instructor Training. University of Michigan. 2011 (Fall Semester)

Fellowship, Grants, and Awards 2020 Searle Online Course Development Program, Loyola University Chicago $2000 2018 Science Communication Fellow, University of Michigan n/a 2017 Rackham Conference Travel Grant, University of Michigan $800 2017 EEB Travel Grant, University of Michigan $250 2016 Rackham Conference Travel Grant, University of Michigan $618 2015 Block grant, University of Michigan $800 2015 EEB Travel Grant, University of Michigan $250 2014 Block grant, University of Michigan $1,770 2013 Rackham International Research Fellowship, University of Michigan $6,500 2013 Block Grant, University of Michigan $1,200 2012 Rackham Graduate Student Research Grant, University of Michigan $1,500 2012 Block Grant, University of Michigan $1,010 2012 Short – term fellowship, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute $800 2012 International Individual Fellowship, University of Michigan $4,500 2009 Bodmer Travel Award, University of Illinois-Chicago $2,000 2008 UIC Teaching Assistant Colloquium Award, University of Illinois-Chicago n/a 2007 Secretaria Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología Graduate Fellowship, UP Declined

Valencia Mestre, Mariana – CV

Research Projects

Role Collaborators Title Institution Years Active Ph. D. Adviser- John From treeless pastures to silvo- University 2011- Dissertation Vandermeer pastoral systems: the extent and of Michigan ongoing drivers of tree management styles (Panama)

Co- P. I – Trevor Individual decision-making University 2015- Investigator Caughlin complicates a conceptual model of Florida, 2017 for a forest transition in western University Panama (Panama) of Michigan

Master Thesis Adviser – Experimental Tall Grass Prairie University September Henry Howe Restoration (Illinois) of Illinois- 2009-May Chicago 2010

Masters Adviser – Restoration Ecology in Lowland University May 2008 Research Henry Howe Tropical Rain Forest Mexico of Illinois- – August (Los Tuxtla Biosphere Reserve, Chicago 2009 Veracruz)

Co- P. I – Scott Plant-Soil Feedbacks in Tropical Smithsonian February- investigator Mangan Forest (Barro Colorado Island, Tropical July 2007 Panama) Research Institute

Undergraduate Adviser – Diversity of Foliar Endophytic University 2004- Thesis Sunshine Van Fungi in Two Angiosperm of Panama 2006 Bael Species: Cordia alliodora (Ruiz y Pau.) Oken and Merremia Smithsonian umbellata (L.) Hallier f Tropical (Gamboa, Panama) Research Institute

Co- P. I – Interactions Between Foliar Smithsonian 2004- investigator Sunshine Van Endophytic Fungi and Tropical 2006 Bael Herbivores (Gamboa, Panama) Research Institute

Valencia Mestre, Mariana – CV

Publications 1. Valencia Mestre, M. C., L. Hoey, and J. Vandermeer. 2020. Tree management and balancing process among Panamanian farmers. Small-Scale Forestry. https ://doi.org/10.1007/s1184 2-020-09453 -6. 2. Valencia Mestre, M. C., B. G. Ferguson, and J. Vandermeer. 2019. Syndromes of production and tree-cover dynamics of Neotropical grazing land. Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems 43-4: 362-385. 3. S. A. Mangan, S. A. Schnitzer, E. A. Herre, K. M. L. Mack, M. C. Valencia, E. Sanchez, and J. D. Bever. 2010. Variation in strengths of negative plant-soil feedback predicts relative species abundance in a tropical forest. Nature 466:752-756. 4. Van Bael, S. A., M. Valencia, E. Rojas, N. Gómez, D.M. Windsor, & E. A. Herre. 2009. Effects of foliar endophytic fungi on the preference and performance of a leaf beetle, Chelymorpha alternans Boheman (Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae). Biotropica 41:221-225. 5. Van Bael, S. A., H. Fernandez, M. Valencia, E. Rojas, W. Wcislo, E.A. Herre. 2009. Two fungal symbioses collide: Endophytic fungi are not welcome in leafcutting ant gardens. Proceedings Royal Society of London – Series B. 276: 2419- 2426.

Manuscripts in preparation for publication Valencia, M. and J. Vandermeer. Variation of tree densities across cattle pastures in the Republic of Panama. In prep for Agriculture, Ecosystem, Environment.

Thesis and dissertation 1. Valencia, M. 2017. From treeless pastures to silvo-pastoral systems: the extent and drivers of tree management styles. (Dissertation). 2. Valencia, M. 2010. Community development and persistence in a long-term tallgrass experimental pairie restoration (Masters thesis). 3. Valencia, M. 2006. Diversity of foliar endophytic fungi in two angiosperm species: Cordia alliodora (Ruiz y Pau.) Oken and Merremia umbellata (L.) Hallier f. (Undergraduate thesis).

Fieldwork Reports 1. M. Valencia Mestre. 2018. “Cobertura arbórea en fincas ganaderas de Panamá.” Translation: Tree cover area in cattle ranches of Panama. Delivered to Study Participants. 2. M. Valencia Mestre. 2013. “Los árboles de las fincas ganaderas en la Provincia de Chiriquí, República de Panamá.” Translation: The trees of the cattle ranching farms in the Chiriqui Province, Republic of Panama. Delivered to Study Participants.

Academic Presentations Congress and Meetings 1. Tree management across cattle pastures in the Republic of Panama. Contributed Talk at 2019 the Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting. 2. A Chayanovian analysis of tree management among Panamanian farmers. Michigan 2018 University-Wide Sustainability and Environment Conference. Ignite Talk. 3. Sudden change in silvo-pastoral systems: relaxing the linear and monotonic 2017 assumptions. American Association of Geographers Annual Meeting. Poster presentation. Valencia Mestre, Mariana – CV

4. From treeless pastures to silvo-pastoral systems: pasture syndromes across the Republic 2016 of Panama. Association of Women in Agroecology. Poster presentation. 5. Development in a six year tall grass restoration experiment: Effects of planting season 2010 and density on diversity. Poster presentations at the Ecological Society of America Meeting, Pittsburgh.

Department Seminar 1. From treeless pastures to silvo-pastoral systems: the extent and drivers of tree 2017 management styles. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Seminar. University of Michigan. 2. Sudden change in agro-silvo pastoral systems: from linear to non-linear to non- 2013 monotonic. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Lunch Seminar. University of Michigan.

Guest Speaker 1. “Cobertura Arbórea en Fincas Ganaderas de Panamá” (Tree Cover in Panamanian 2019 Cattle Ranches) for the workshop entitled “Indagar, aprender y conservar, una aventura de ciencias con Smithsonian” (Inquiry, learning and conservation, a science adventure with Smithsonian). Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. 2. Biodiversity and Restoration. Lake Forest College, Illinois. 2009 3. Panama, more dynamic than meets the eye. Lake Forest College, Illinois. 2007

Science Communication Experience

1. Scientist Spotlight at Forsythe Middle School, Ann Arbor, MI. Description: 2018 (one day In door demonstration of the social-ecological processes that lead to the event) observed trees on cattle ranches. For General Public.

2. Scientist Spotlight at Ypsilanti District Library, Ypsilanti, MI 2018 (one day 2018. Description: In door demonstration of the social-ecological processes that event) lead to the observed trees on cattle ranches. For General Public.

3. D-Town Farm Bio-Blitz, Detroit, MI. Description: Organized outdoors 2015, 2018 activities for children underrepresented in science from Age 8-13. (one day event) 4. ID Day, Museum of Natural History, University of Michigan. Description: In 2014, 2016 door demonstration of Great Lakes fishes to the General Public. (one day event) 5. Ecology Workshop at Peace Community Center, Ann Arbor, MI. 2015 (one day Description: In door science activities for an after-school program with event) elementary school students underrepresented in the sciences.

6. Belle Isle Bio-Blitz, Detroit, MI. 2013. Description: Outdoor activity with 2013 (one day students 13-14 year old underrepresented in the sciences. event)

7. Guest Field Ecology Instructor, Field Biology Course with the Smithsonian 2009 (one day Tropical Research Institute, Gamboa, Republic of Panama. Description: event) Organized research project with college students. Valencia Mestre, Mariana – CV

8. Naturalist Guide at the Barro Colorado Nature Monument, Smithsonian 2004-2007 Tropical Research Institute, Republic of Panama (recurring)

9. Guide at the Marine Exhibition Center, Smithsonian Tropical Research 2004 Institute, Republic of Panama (recurring)

Committees Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, Institute of Environmental Sustainability, 2019- Loyola University Chicago current Curriculum Committee Chair for the BS in Environmental Science: Food Systems and 2019- Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Environmental Sustainability, Loyola University current Chicago

Manuscript Reviewer Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems 2018

Other Professional Work

Graduate Student Curatorial Assistantships (GSCAs) in the Fish Division, Museum of 2014- Zoology. University of Michigan. Description: digitize fish images employing 2017 Photoshop software, catalog images in the Museum of Zoology database.

Research Field Director, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Benefits of silvo- 2011 pastoral systems for biodiversity. Description: Execute a bird diversity survey across the Panama Canal Watershed.

Project launch coordinator for ecoReserve and Earth Train. Description: development 2010 of the conservation scheme of the Mamoni Reserve employing remote sensing and ground assessments of household needs.

Most Recent Community Service

1. Steering Committee Member for Module Development and current Implementation for Urban Garden Network

2. Moderator at the Good Food Expo, Chicago, IL 2 019 ( o n e day event) 3. Translator at the Local Food Summit, Ypsilanti, MI 2017 (one day event) 4. Canvassing for Flint Rising, Flint, MI. Description: Canvassing of 2016 (one day individuals in Flint Michigan during the water crisis. event) Valencia Mestre, Mariana – CV

5. Driver and host for Ecology and Evolutionary Biology graduate 2013, 2015, 2016 recruitment weekends at the University of Michigan (week wide event)

6. Volunteer for Teach-in +50 at University of Michigan. Description: 2015 Assist in the promotion and implementation of the university wide event.

Professional affiliations

New World Agriculture and Environmental Group, University of Michigan / Ecological Society of America / Association for Women in Science / Association of Women in Agroecology – Asociación de Mujeres in la Agroecología References

• John Vandermeer, University of Michigan, 2029 / 2081 Kraus Natural Science Building, 830 North University, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1048 , Phone: (734) 764-1446 , Fax: (734) 763-0544, Email: [email protected].

• Lesli Hoey, University of Michigan, Urban Regional Planning Program, Tubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Office 1248A, 2000 Bonisteel Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2069. Phone: 734-936-0212 / Fax: 734-763-2322 / E-mail:[email protected].

• Ivette Perfecto, University of Michigan, School for Environment and Sustainability. Office 3541, Dana Building, 440 Church St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109. Phone (734)-764- 8601 / E-mail: [email protected].