Ana C. Vallor, Ph.D.

Dr. Vallor is the current Chair of the Department of Biology and the Sr. Joseph Marie Armer CCVI Endowed Chair in Natural Science. She is a first-generation college graduate born in the Texas Rio Grande Valley. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, Texas. She received her Ph.D. in Molecular Virology and Microbiology from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pa. Dr. Vallor has been involved in conducting microbial studies in non-human primate and small animal models to assess mother-infant microbial transmission, fungal infection, antifungal drug testing and diagnostics, vaccine development against bio-terroristic agents and assessments of probiotic microbial species in prevention of sexually transmitted pathogens in women. Currently, her research involves the investigation of in anti-parasitic drug biotransformation and discovery of new antimicrobial compounds produced by South Texas soil microorganisms.

Along with conducting research with her undergraduate students, Dr. Vallor loves football, classic films, the history of science, and vacationing on the Texas coast with her husband, Mike, and daughters, Mary, Elizabeth and Gabriella.

• 2002: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Degree in Molecular Virology and Microbiology Department of Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, University of Pittsburgh Scaife School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA.
  • Dissertation Title: The Identification and Characterization of the Adherence Factor(s) of Lactobacillus crispatus to Vaginal Epithelial Cells. Dr Sharon Hillier PhD (Chair) Department of Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
• 1990: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biology minor in Chemistry, Magna Cum Laude, St. Mary's University, San Antonio,TX

• 2010 - Present: Associate Professor, (Tenured 2014), Department of Biology, School of Mathematics Science and Engineering, University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, TX.
• 2016 - 2018: Director and Advisor of the Masters of Biology Program. Department of Biology, School of Mathematics Science and Engineering, University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, TX.
• 2008 - 2010: Senior Lecturer /Microbiology Coordinator, University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, TX.

• 2015: Course Coordinator Document Review committee (chair)
• 2014 - 2015: Texas Academy of Sciences Planning committee
• 2010 - Present: Academic Student Advising for Biology undergraduate and graduate majors and Honors College advisor

Presentations

• Vallor AC, Pierce C., and Reamer, J. (2018) Implementation of an Undergraduate Applied Learning Experience in the UIW Microbiology laboratory: “Antimicrobial Discovery in South Texas UIW Research Week.
• Escareno P, Hirsch D, Coker AO, and AC Vallor. An Assessment of the Impact of Slime layers obtained from Probiotic Lactobacillus species on the growth of Pathogenic Bacterial Biofilms. UIW Research Week Feb. 2017
• Saenz N, and Lead N. AC Vallor, (2016). Antibacterial Efficacy of Basil, Coriander, and Melaleuca Oil on Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Streptococcus pyogenes. University of Texas at San Antonio College of Sciences Translational Research Conference, San Antonio, Texas.
• Escareno P. Hirsch D., and AC Vallor (2016). Characterization of S-layers Proteins Present in S-layers Isolated from Select Gastrointestinal and Vaginal Lactobacilli. University of Texas at San Antonio College of Sciences Translational Research Conference, San Antonio, Texas.
• SACNAS 2018 Scientific Symposium Speaker: Drug Discovery in South Texas: Tapping into the Natural World for Solutions. AC Vallor
• Dr. Alex Martinez, Dr. Paulo Carvalho, Dr. Donald Sikazwe and Dr. Andrew Robles from UT-Health
• Luis S., Huber E., AC Vallor, Carvalho P. Metabolization of natural antioxidants osajin and pomiferin by fungi and yeast. Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Indianapolis, IND. Nov. 2018
• Flores M, Huber, E., Pierce, C. and AC Vallor. Isolation and Characterization of Bacterial Antimicrobial Producers found in Soil Collected on an Urban College Campus 2018 SACNAS: The National Diversity in STEM Conference, October 11-13th 2018, San Antonio, Tx (accepted)
• Chivers, B.,Carvalho, P., Garza, V., AC Vallor. HPLC Analysis of the Products of Fungal Biotransformation of. Praziquantel by Cunninghamella elegans, Umbelopsis ramannianus, and Yarrowia lipolytica Metabolism. 2018 SACNAS: The National Diversity in STEM Conference, October 11-13th 2018, San Antonio, Tx
• Cisneros, E, Carvalho, P., Abourashed, E, AC Vallor. HPLC Analysis of the Biotransformation Products of Osajin and Pomiferin Produced by Cunninghamella elegans Metabolism. Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS) November 1, 2017, Phoenix Arizona
• Saenz, N., Leverett, B, and AC Vallor. Antibacterial Efficacy of Basil, Coriander, and Melaleuca Oil on Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Streptococcus pyogenes Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS) November 1, 2017, Phoenix Arizona
• Escareno, P., and Hirsch, D., AC Vallor. An Assessment of the Impact of Slime layers obtained from Probiotic Lactobacillus species on the growth of Pathogenic Bacterial Biofilms. Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Nov. 2016 Tampa , Florida.
• Vuong, J. and AC Vallor (2014) Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistance of Ophthalmic Microbial Isolates Obtained at a Local Eye Clinic. Annual biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students, San Antonio, Texas.
• Mesa, J. and AC Vallor. (2013). Analysis of the Effects of Biofilm Formation of the Gastrointestinal pathogen Cronobacter sakazikii by Probiotic Species of Lactobacillus. Society for the Advancement of Chicano and Native American Scientists, San Antonio, Texas.
• Garcia, R., Gonzalez, M., and Mata, R., AC Vallor (2013). Characterization of Prevalent Ophthalmic Microorganisms Isolated at an Optical clinic Serving Disadvantaged Transient Populations. Society for the Advancement of Chicano and Native American Scientists, San Antonio, Texas.
• Vallor, AC, Mackinnon, C. (2013, May). B.E.E.R: Bioinformatics for an Extension Activity of Enzymes and Reactions. American Society of Microbiology CUE, Inglewood, Colorado.
• Amador, P., AC Vallor.(2012). Generation of Agglutinin-like Sequence (ALS) Mutants in Selected Clinical Strains of Candida tropicalis". Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), La Jolla, California.
• Daubert, C., Chu, Y., Davis, J. and AC Vallor (2011). Chromatographic and Spectrophotometric Analysis of Fungal Secondary Metabolite Production during Growth. 113th Annual meeting of The American Chemical Society, Anaheim, California.
• Villarreal, J., and AC Vallor (2011). Purification and Characterization of the S-layer protein from Lactobacillus coleohominis. Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students, St. Louis, Missouri.
• Daubert, C. and AC Vallor (2010). Chromatographic and spectrophotometric analysis of fungal secondary metabolites during growth. 41st American Chemistry Society, Anaheim, California.
• Amador, P., and AC Vallor (Generation of Agglutinin-like Sequence (ALS) Mutants in Selected Clinical Strains of Candida tropicalis 2012). ". Rice University Regional Undergraduate Symposium, Houston, Texas.
• Dutton, N.A,, Coker A.O., Ahmad, M.R., Vallor AC. Characterization of the novel species, Lactobacillus coleohominis, unveils structural and functional similarities to Lactobacillus iners. Submitted to Journal of Basic Microbiology 06/07/2019
• Cisneros, E, Carvalho, P., Abourashed, E, Vallor AC. HPLC Analysis of the Biotransformation Products of Osajin and Pomiferin Produced by Cunninghamella elegans Metabolism. Submitted to Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering (ISSN: 1389-1723) 2019.
• Patel, P K, Patterson, TF, Kirkpatrick, WR; Erlandsen J., Berg, DK, Westbrook, SD, Louden, CL Corn,ll, JE; Thompson GR, Vallor, AC, Wiederhold, N; Redding, SW. The Changing Epidemiology of Oropharyngeal Candidiasis in Patients with HIV/AIDS in the Era of Antiretroviral Therapy Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes. AIDS Res Treat. 2012;2012:262471. doi: 10.1155/2012/262471. Epub 2012 Aug 28.
• Kirkpatrick WR, Najvar LK, Vallor AC, Wiederhold NP, Bocanegra R, Pfeiffer J, Perkins K, Kugler, AR, Sweeney TD, Patterson TF Prophylactic Efficacy of Single Dose Pulmonary Administration of Amphotericin B Inhalation Powder* in a Guinea Pig Model of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2012 Apr;67(4):970-6. doi: 10.1093/jac/dkr567. Epub 2012 Jan 11
• Westbrook SD, Wiederhold NP, Vallor AC, Kotara S, Bernardo S, Lee SA, Kirkpatrick WR, Toro JJ, Freytes C, Patterson TF, Redding SW. Loss of in vitro resistance in Candida glabrata following discontinuation of fluconazole prophylaxis in a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation patient. Med Mycol. 2010 May;48(3):557-60.
• Herrera ML, Vallor AC, Gelfond JA, Patterson TF, Wickes BL. Strain-dependent variation in 18S ribosomal DNA Copy numbers in Aspergillus fumigatus. J Clin Microbiol. 2009 May;47(5):1325-32.
• Thompson GR 3rd, Wiederhold NP, Fothergill AW, Vallor AC, Wickes BL, Patterson TF.Antifungal susceptibilities among different serotypes of Cryptococcus gattii and Cryptococcus neoformans. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2009 Jan;53(1):309-11
• Thompson GR 3rd, Wiederhold NP, Vallor AC, Villareal NC, Lewis JS 2nd, Patterson TF. Development of caspofungin resistance following prolonged therapy for invasive candidiasis secondary to Candida glabrata infection. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2008 Oct;52(10):3783-5.
• Thompson GR 3rd, Fothergill AW, Wiederhold NP, Vallor AC, Wickes BL, Patterson TF. Evaluation of Etest method for determining isavuconazole MICs against Cryptococcus gattii and Cryptococcus neoformans..Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2008 Aug;52(8):2959-61.
• Vallor AC, Herrera ML,, Kirkpatrick WR, Najvar LK, Bocanegra R, Kinney MC, Fothergill AW, Herrera ML Wickes BL, Graybill JR, Patterson TF. Assessment of Pulmonary Aspergillus fumigatus Tissue Burden by Quantitative PCR, Galactomannan EIA and Quantitative Culture in Guinea Pigs. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2008 Jul;52(7):2593-8. Epub 2008 May 12.
• Wiederhold NP , Najvar LK, Vallor AC, Kirkpatrick WR, Bocanegra R, Molina D, Olivo M, Graybill JR, Patterson TF. Assessment of Serum 1,3-b-D-glucan as a Measure of Disease Burden in a Murine Model of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2007 Dec
• Sheppard DC, Graybill JR, Najvar LK, Chiang LY, Doedt T, Kirkpatrick WR, Bocanegra R, Vallor AC, Patterson TF, Filler SG. Standardization of an experimental murine model of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2006 Oct;50(10):3501-3.
• Kirkpatrick WR, Vallor AC, McAtee RK, Ryder NS, Fothergill AW, Rinaldi MG, and Patterson TF. Combination Therapy with Terbinafine and Amphotericin B in a Rabbit Model of Experimental Invasive Aspergillosis. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2005 Nov;49(11):4751-3.
• Vallor AC, Antonio MA, Hawes SE and SL Hillier. Factors Associated with Acquisition of Persistent Colonization by Vaginal Lactobacilli: Role of Hydrogen Peroxide Production. J Infect Dis. 2001 Dec 1;184(11):1431-6.

Refereed Proceedings

• Villarreal, J. and Vallor, AC. (2011). Purification and Characterization of S layer Protein form L. coleohominis Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS)
• South Texas McNair Scholars Regional Conference.
• Dauber, C., Chu YY, and Davis, J. Vallor, AC, (2011). Chromatographic and Spectrophotometric Analysis of Fungal Secondary Metabolite Production during Growth. 113th Annual meeting of The American Chemical Society.
• Amador P. Vallor, AC, and Jones, AP. (2012). Investigation of Agglutinin-Like properties in Clinical Strains of Candida tropicalis. Collaborative Basic and Transitional Research in the Sciences.
• Amador P. Jones, A P and AC Vallor (2012). Characterization of Agglutinin Like Genomic Sequences (ALS) in Clinical Strains of Candida tropicalis. Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students.
• Chu, YY, Davis, J, Daubert C. and AC Vallor, (2011). Chromatographic and Spectrophotometric Analysis of Fungal Secondary Metabolite Production during Growth. The American Chemical Society.
• Vallor AC., Chu YY., and Davi, J. (2010). Thin Layer Chromatography Solvent System for Separation of Secondary metabolites of Candida Species. Texas Academy of Science.
• Buentello S. and AC Vallor. (2009). Biochemical profiling of Secondary metabolites produced by Clinically relevant Aspergillus sp. South Texas McNair Scholars Regional Conference.

• 1998 - Present: Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)
• 1998 - Present: American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Division C and F, USA
• 2004 - Present: Member San Antonio Center for Medical Mycology
• 2010 - 2014: University of the Incarnate Word Institutional Review Board, San Antonio, TX
• 2013 - Present: University of TX at San Antonio, Institutional Biosafety Committee Non-affiliated member.
• 2017 - 2018: Small World Initiative Partner Instructor (SWIPI), Yale University, Connecticut University.
• 2017 - 2018: Small World Initiative Partner Instructor (SWIPI), Yale University, Connecticut University
• 2018 - Present: Tiny Earth Partner Instructor, University of Wisconsin at Madison.
• 2010 - Present: University of the Incarnate Word Institutional Review Board, San Antonio, TX.

• 2011 - 2014: Presidential Teaching Award nominee, University of the Incarnate Word.
• 2013: Distinguished Member, The National Society of Collegiate Scholars UIW.
• 2014: ABCRMS 2014 Travel Judge Subsidy, American Society of Microbiology (ASM/ ABCRMS).
• 2015: Presidential Teaching Legacy Award, University of the Incarnate Word.
• 2015 - 2019: Graduate Research Assistantship, UIW School of Graduate Studies and Research.
• 2018 - 2019: University of the Incarnate Word Faculty Internal Endowment Research Awards
• 2019- 2021: University of the Incarnate Word, Dept. of Biology, Sr. Joseph Marie Armer CCVI Endowed Chair in Natural Science

• 2017 - 2018: UIW Girls in Engineering, Mathematics and Science (GEMS) Camp
• 2018 - Present: San Antonio Independent School District Summer Upward Bound program sponsored by University of the Incarnate Word and San Antonio College.
• 2014 - Present: East Central Independent School District Summer Upward Bound Program Palo Alto College Summer Upward Bound program sponsored by University of the Incarnate Word and San Antonio College.
• 2010 - Present: Introductory and General Microbiology Laboratory Course Coordinator
• 2018: Process and Standards Group President’s Task Force
• 2016 - 2017: QEP Writing and Teaching Academy
• 2016 - 2017: University of the Incarnate Word Mission Academy
• 2016 - Present: Interviewer: University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine.
• 2016: CORE 4 STEM. San Antonio College Fair
• 2013 - 2016: General Biology 1 Lecture and Laboratory Course Coordinator
• 2010 - 2018: Introductory Microbiology (Pre Nursing) course coordinator.
• 2011: Interviewer: Pharmacy Interviewer: University of the Incarnate Word Feik School of Pharmacy

Undergraduate Courses

• BIOL 1402 General Biology I Lecture and Laboratory for Majors
• BIOL 2474 Introductory Microbiology
• BIOL 2471L Introductory Microbiology laboratory
• BIOL 3471 General Microbiology
• BIOL 3471L General Microbiology laboratory
• BIOL 4375 Medical Microbiology
• BIOL 4372 Immunology
• BIOL ST 4499 Immunology with Laboratory
• BIOL 4190 Teaching/Laboratory Assistant
• BIOL 4192 Journal Club in Biology
• BIOL 4399 Special Topics: Mycology
• BIOL 3411L Cell Biology Laboratory
• BIOL 3461L Genetics Laboratory
• BIOL 4380 Virology
• BIOL 4x98 Independent Research Study Undergraduate level
• BIOL 4398 and 4498 Special Topics: Research Internship at UTHSCSA
• BIOL 4399 Special Topics: Microbial Pathogenesis
• BIOL 4399 Special Topics: Research Ethics (Responsible Conduct in Research)

Biology Graduate Courses

• BIOL 6385 Immunology
• BIOL 6375 Medical Microbiology
• BIOL 6380 Virology
• BIOL 6399 Special Topics: Mycology
• BIOL 6x98 Independent Research Study Graduate level
• BIOL CE90 Comprehensive Exam
• BIOL 63TP Thesis Proposal
• BIOL 63 TR Thesis research
• BIOL 6399 Special Topics: Research Ethics (Responsible Conduct in Research

Graduate Thesis / Dissertation Committees

• 2018 Biotransformation of Praziquantel by Cunninghamella elegans, Umbelopsis ramannianus, and Yarrowia lipolytica Metabolism. Samuel Chivers MS in Biology student (in progress). (Chair)
• 2018 Metabolization of natural antioxidants osajin and pomiferin by fungi and yeast. Stephen Luis, MS in Biology student (in progress) (Chair)
• 2018 The impact of microalgal extracts on Stenotrophomonas maltophilia within biofilms. Patrick Matulich, MS in Biology student (in progress)
• 2017 An Investigation of the Levels of Pro-Inflammation Cytokines in the Brain of Autoimmune Lewis Rats, Han Yang, MS Graduate
• 2016 The Effect of Varying Environmental Conditions on the Growth of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Norah Alqahtani-MS Graduate (Chair)
• 2016 Investigation of the Environmental Factors associated with the Temporal Abundance of Lutzomyia Anthophora on a ranch near Poth, Texas, Maha Alsharany, MS Graduate
• 2015 – Anti-Tumorogenic Effect of the Probiotic Lactobacilli on a macrophage cell line. Deborah Trevino. MS Graduate. (Chair)
• 2014 Cytotoxicity of Novel Metal Complexes Containing Platinum, Palladium and Zinc. Jomana Alqurashi, MS Graduate.
• 2011 Characterization of a Slime-Layer-Like protein and select Antimicrobial Factors of the Novel Species Lactobacillus coleohominis. Nichole Ayala MS Graduate

• 2004 - 2009: Post-Doctoral Researcher, Project: “Medical Mycology Diagnostics” School of Medicine, Infectious Disease division. Dr. Thomas Patterson MD -supervisor University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX.
• 2002 - 2004: Post-Doctoral Researcher, Project: “Utilizing Salmonella sp. as a vaccine vector against anthrax”. Department of Microbiology and Immunology. Dr. Karl Klose PhD - supervisor. University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX.
• 1997 - 1999: Medical Microbiology Lab Medical Students-1, Graduate Teaching Assistant. University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA.
• 1994 - 1996: Medical Microbiology Laboratory Medical Students-1, Graduate Teaching Assistant University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX.
• 1994 - 1996: Dental Microbiology Laboratory DS-1, Graduate Teaching Assistant University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX.
• 1992 - 1993: Laboratory Research Assistant, Project: Assessment of neutrophil respiratory burst in response to periodontal pathogens. Dr. John Novak BDS, PhD supervisor. University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX.
• 1990 - 1992: Laboratory Research Assistant, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas.