My name is Valeria Cota, but I go by Val. I graduated from Buena Vista University (BVU) with a B.S. in biochemistry and biology.  I previously focused on Microcystin research at Lakeside Laboratory where I conducted water monitoring and compared Microcystin abundance among Okoboji area lakes. I used that knowledge to conduct a 3-year undergraduate research project while at BVU. I traveled to southern Chile where I focused on the presence of Microcystin toxin in Chilean lichen species.

Although my previous research interests focus on environmental toxicology, I am interested in human toxicology and I would like to use what I have learned to become a toxicologist in the pharmaceutical industry. When I am not in class or in the lab, I like to play soccer, go hiking, and paint.

Advisor: Nicole Brogden, Ph.D.