Osvaldo J. Sepulveda Villet –Curriculum Vitae
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Osvaldo Jhonatan Sepulveda Villet, Ph.D.
[email protected]
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
• 13 years of combined Molecular Ecology and genetics research experience, including mitochondrial and
nuclear DNA, and RNA analyses. Proficient in theory and technical aspects of population genetics..
• Experienced in theory and design of Ecology and wildlife management analyses, comprehensive
knowledge of Great Lakes biotic and abiotic issues and challenges. Direct, hands-on experience in
reviewing and monitoring federally-funded Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) projects.
• 6 years of experience in maintaining and operating a Molecular Ecology laboratory. Proficient in training
and mentoring laboratory personnel.
• Extensive publication record and demonstrated ability to coordinate and create collaborative research
products across academic, state, and federal institutions and agencies.
• Experienced in theories and practices of aquaculture techniques. Designed and conducted research on
nutrition, physiology, and reproductive performance in economically- and ecologically-important
species.
PROFESSIONAL PREPARATION
• Ph.D. Biology (Ecology track). University of Toledo. 2011. “Population genetic structure and
biogeographic patterns in the yellow perch Perca flavescens: An analysis of mitochondrial and nuclear
DNA markers”.
• M.S. Biology. Central Michigan University. 2002. “Development of hematopoietic tissue in the penaeid
shrimp Sicyonia ingentis”.
• B.S. Aquacultural Engineering. Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara, Mexico. 1999. “Influence of
fatty acids derived from experimental diets on the egg quality of the prawn Macrobrachium tenellum”.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
USDA ARS, Milwaukee, WI
April 2012-Present
USDA ARS Postdoctoral Fellow
Supervisor: Dr. Brian Shepherd, [email protected], (414) 382-1767
• Producing collaborative research on yellow perch nutrition, genetic characterization of broodstocks, and
probiotic enrichment of early larval feeds.
• Developing life-support and environmental control systems for flow-through and recirculating research
aquaculture facilities.
• Developing experimental feeds and diet trial design in collaboration with University of Wisconsin
Milwaukee faculty and USDA staff.
• Providing outreach to professional and advocacy groups, developing research collaborations with local
and regional non-governmental stakeholders.
NOAA, Silver Spring, MD
January 2011 – February 2012
Sea Grant Knauss Fellow, Office of Habitat Conservation
Supervisor: John Iliff, [email protected], (301) 427-8670
• Reviewed restoration project proposals from NOAA-managed Federal Funding Opportunities.
• Produced GIS-based documents designed to optimize project focus and selection.
• Collaborated with scientific staff in NOAAʼs Great Lakes Environmental laboratory, and provided expert
advice on effective habitat restoration techniques, viral diseases and monitoring and evaluation of
federally-funded restoration projects in the Great Lakes region.
• Provided guidance to Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere on future research
Osvaldo J. Sepulveda Villet –Curriculum Vitae
priority areas.
National Science Foundation/ University of Toledo, Toledo, OH
May 2008 – May 2010
NSF GK-12 STEM Fellow
Supervisor: Dr. Carol Stepien, [email protected], (419) 530-8362
• Co-developed science-based class activities and curriculum focused on increasing STEM awareness
and enthusiasm among urban high-school students.
• Co-sponsored and mentored individual student research projects for local, state and regional
competitions, and provided guidance on scientific principles and experimental design concepts.
• Achieved a two-year increase in 10th grade Ohio Graduation Test (OGT), from a three-year average of
65% science proficiency to a two-year average of 81%, contributing to an “excellent” designation for
the school (up from “continuous improvement”).
The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH
January 2005 – December 2010
Graduate Research Assistant
Supervisor: Dr. Carol Stepien, [email protected], (419) 530-8362
• Developed research on population genetics and ecology of yellow perch in the Great Lakes region and
across its North American native range.
• Identified population genetic structure of spawning groups using mitochondrial DNA sequences and
nuclear microsatellite markers.
• Determined lack of congruency among fishery management units and genetic structure of spawning
groups in Lake Erie, and instructed fishery management staff on proper use of genetic analysis data
for wildlife management decisions.
• Trained new students and visiting staff in molecular Ecology techniques, co-developed and updated
laboratory manual, and optimized scaling of laboratory methods to increase throughput.
• Taught undergraduate-level environmental science curriculum in biodiversity to major- and non-major
students (2 semestersʼ experience).
Pfizer@Manpower, Ann Arbor, MI
April 2002 – December 2004
Scientist
Supervisor: Jeff Brabant (no longer at company)
• Carried out 2-D electrophoresis-based protein analysis at large-scale, high throughput pharmaceutical
research facility.
• Processed, catalogued, and archived tissue samples, protein extractions, 2-D gels, and analytical data.
• Maintained and operated protein electrophoresis and fluorescent data acquisition equipment.
• Maintained and ordered stock, and replenished reagent and supplies inventories for laboratory.
• Developed and optimized 2-D protein electrophoresis methods, trained new and visiting staff, and
optimized data analysis methods on large-scale protein research projects (published in Proteomics
(2008) 8: 3030-41).
Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, MI
August 1999 – April 2002
Graduate Research Assistant
Supervisor: Dr. Philip Hertzler, [email protected], (989) 774-2393
• Developed research on embryonic development of hematopoietic tissue in crustaceans, and
characterized the sequence of a novel subunit of integrin in shrimp.
• Maintained, ordered and replenished inventories for DNA/RNA research laboratory, and operated
electrophoresis, PCR, and data acquisition equipment.
• Trained new students on molecular biology techniques, including messenger RNA isolation, reverse
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Osvaldo J. Sepulveda Villet –Curriculum Vitae
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transcriptase-based DNA synthesis, PCR amplification, restriction enzyme digestion, DNA cloning
(using plasmids), medium and large-scale recovery of amplified plasmids, and RFLP analysis.
PUBLICATIONS
Shepherd, B.S., Rees, C.B., Sepulveda-Villet, O.J., Palmquist, D.E. and Binkowski, F.P. 2013.
Identification of Gender in Yellow Perch by External Morphology: Validation in four Geographic Strains
and Effects of Dietary Estradiol. North American Journal of Aquaculture 75: 361-372.
Sepulveda-Villet, O.J., and Stepien, C.A. 2012. Waterscape genetics of the yellow perch (Perca
flavescens): patterns across large connected ecosystems and isolated relict populations. Molecular
Ecology 21: 5795–5826.
Sepulveda-Villet, O.J., and Stepien, C.A. 2011. Fine-scale population genetic structure of the
yellow perch Perca flavescens in Lake Erie. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 68:
1435-1453.
Stepien, C.A., Murphy, D.J., Lohner R.N., Haponski, A.E., and Sepulveda-Villet, O.J. 2010. Status
and delineation of walleye genetic stock structure across the Great Lakes. In Status of Walleye in the
Great Lakes: proceedings of the 2006 symposium. Great Lakes Fishery Commission Technical Report
69, 189-223
Grzybowski, M., Sepulveda-Villet, O.J., Stepien, C.A., Rosauer, D., Binkowski, F., Klaper, R.,
Shepherd, B., and Goetz, F. 2010. Genetic variation of 17 wild populations of yellow perch from the
Midwest and East coast United States using microsatellites Transactions of the American Fisheries
Society. 139: 270–287
Sepulveda Villet, O.J., Ford, A.M., Williams, J.D., and Stepien, C.A. 2009. Population genetic
diversity and phylogeographic divergence patterns of the yellow perch (Perca flavescens). Journal of
Great Lakes Research. 35: 107-119
Parker, A.D., Uzarski, D.G., Sepulveda-Villet, O.J., Stepien, C.A., Ruehl, C.B., and Burton, T.M.
2009. Phenotypic plasticity of age-1 Great Lakes yellow perch inhabiting wetland and nearshore
habitats. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. 138: 899-914
Stepien, C.A., Murphy, D.J., Lohner R.N., Sepulveda-Villet, O.J., and Haponski, A.E. 2009.
Signatures of vicariance, postglacial dispersal, and spawning philopatry: Population genetics of the
walleye Sander vitreus. Molecular Ecology. 18: 3411-3428
Sepulveda Villet, O.J., Ford, A.M., and Stepien, C.A. 2008. A landscape genetic analysis of Great
Lakes yellow perch populations in relation to their variation across North America. Ohio Journal of
Science. 108: A14-A15
Bandow, J.E., Baker, J.D., Berth, M., Painter, C., Sepulveda Villet, O.J., Clark, K.A., Kilty, I., and
VanBogelen, R.A. 2008. Improved image analysis workflow for 2-D gels enables large-scale 2-D gelbased proteomics studies--COPD biomarker discovery study. Proteomics 8: 3030-41
PRESENTATIONS, TRAINING EVENTS, AND COMMUNICATIONS
International Association for Great Lakes Research (IAGLR) annual Conference, Ann Arbor, MI:
“Genetic structure of Lake Erie yellow perch populations: A comparison of two molecular tools” by O.J.
Sepulveda-Villet, A.M. Ford, & C.A. Stepien. Oral. 5-26-06. (Also gave this presentation at the Sigma
Xi annual student research conference at the University of Toledo on 4-22-06.)
Ohio Division of Wildlife (ODW) Annual Meeting: “Genetic structure of Lake Erie yellow perch
populations as discerned by microsatellite DNA” by O.J. Sepulveda-Villet & C. Stepien. Poster. 2-2-07.
International Association for Great Lakes Research (IAGLR), Pennsylvania State University, State
College, PA: “A landscape genetic analysis of yellow perch variation across North America” by O.J.
Sepulveda-Villet & C.A. Stepien. Oral. 5-31-07.
Osvaldo J. Sepulveda Villet –Curriculum Vitae
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Ohio academy of Sciences (OAS) annual meeting, Toledo, OH: “A landscape genetic analysis of
Great Lakes Yellow Perch populations in relation to their variation across North America” by O.J.
Sepulveda-Villet & C. Stepien. Oral. 4-08.
University of Toledo Graduate Student Symposium: “Genetic Stock Structure of Lake Erie Yellow
Perch Spawning Groups” by O.J. Sepulveda-Villet & C. Stepien. Poster. 5-08.
American Fisheries Society (AFS) annual meeting, Ottawa, Canada: “Assessing genetic diversity
and divergence levels of wild yellow perch and walleye populations and applications to improving
broodstock” by O.J. Sepulveda- Villet & C. Stepien. Oral. 8-08.
Sigma Xi Scientific Honorary Society: “Population genetic basis for Lake Erie yellow perch stock
structure and management units” by O.J. Sepulveda-Villet & C. Stepien. Oral. 11-08.
Lake Erie Fishery Genetics Managers Workshop: “Population genetic basis for Lake Erie yellow
perch stock structure and management units” by O.J. Sepulveda- Villet & C. Stepien. Oral. 11-08.
Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Columbus, OH: “Genetic history of walleye and yellow
perch” by A. Haponski, O.J. Sepulveda-Villet, & C. Stepien. Oral. 12-08.
Ohio Fish and Wildlife Managers Association (OFWMA) annual meeting, Columbus, OH:
“Population genetic basis for Lake Erie yellow perch stock structure and management units” by O.J.
Sepulveda-Villet & C. Stepien. Poster. 2-6-09.
Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC) Lake Erie Walleye and Yellow Perch Task Groups
annual meeting: “Population genetic basis for Lake Erie yellow perch stock structure and management
units” by O.J. Sepulveda-Villet & C. Stepien. Oral. 2-24-09.
GLFC Lake Erie Walleye and Yellow Perch Task Groups annual meeting: “Temporal comparisons
of Lake Erie yellow perch” by A. Haponski, O.J. Sepulveda-Villet, & C. Stepien. Oral. 2-24-09.
Lake Erie Fishery Commission – Lake Erie Committee Meeting: “What DNA tells us about walleye
& yellow perch in Lake Erie” by C. Stepien, O.J. Sepulveda-Villet, A. Haponski, & J. Banda. Oral. 3-09.
International Association for Great Lakes Research (IAGLR) annual Conference, Toledo, OH:
“Genetic structure of Great Lakes yellow perch: A landscape genetic approach” by O.J. SepulvedaVillet & C. Stepien. Oral. 5-22-09.
International Association for Great Lakes Research (IAGLR) annual Conference, Toledo, OH:
“Spatial and temporal comparisons of Lake Erie yellow perch” by A. Haponski, O.J. Sepulveda-Villet, &
C. Stepien. Oral. 5-22-09.
Sigma Xi Scholarʼs Celebration Student Research Symposium: Toledo, OH. “Genetic structure of
Lake Erie yellow perch: A landscape genetic approach to test management unit congruency” by O.J.
Sepulveda-Villet & C. Stepien. Oral. 10-24-09.
Ohio Fish Wildlife Management Association, OFWMA, Columbus, OH: “Population genetic basis
for Lake Erie yellow perch stock structure and Management Units” by O.J. Sepulveda-Villet & C.
Stepien. Poster. 2-8-10
Ohio Fish Wildlife Management Association (OFWMA) annual meeting, Columbus, OH: “Spatial
and temporal genetic patterns of Lake Erie yellow perch” by A. Haponski, O.J. Sepulveda-Villet & C.
Stepien. Poster. 2-8-10.
Great Lakes Fishery Commission Lake Erie Walleye and Yellow Perch Task Groups, “What DNA
tells us about walleye and yellow perch in Lake Erie” by C. Stepien, O.J. Sepulveda-Villet, A.
Haponski, & J. Banda. Oral. 2-23-10.
Lake Erie Millennium, Windsor, Canada: “Population genetic basis for Lake Erie yellow perch stock
structure and Management Units” by O.J. Sepulveda-Villet & C. Stepien. Poster. 4-27-10
American Fisheries Society (AFS) annual conference, Pittsburgh, PA: “Finescale population
genetic structure of Lake Erie yellow perch Perca flavescens (Teleostei: Percidae): Any relation to
management units?” by O.J. Sepulveda-Villet & C. Stepien. Poster. 9-2010.
Osvaldo J. Sepulveda Villet –Curriculum Vitae
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Ohio State Research Review, Columbus, OH: “Fine-scale population genetic structure of Lake Erie
yellow perch Perca flavescens”, T. Sullivan, O.J. Sepulveda-Villet, & C. Stepien, Oral. 1-20-11.
Ohio Fish Wildlife Management Association (OFWMA) annual meeting, Columbus, OH: “Spatial
and temporal variation of Lake Erie yellow perch (Perca flavescens) spawning groups”, T. Sullivan, O.J.
Sepulveda-Villet, A. Haponski, & C. Stepien. Poster. 2-4-11.
International association for Great Lakes Research annual meeting, Duluth , MN: “Monitoring and
evaluation of coastal habitat restoration projects in the Great Lakes region”, O.J. Sepulveda-Villet and
T.A. Hollweg. Poster. 5-31-2011.
World Aquaculture Society triennial conference, Nashville, TN: “Live feed enrichment with
probiotics: Current methods and future perspectives on increasing finfish larviculture success”, O.J.
Sepulveda-Villet, B. Shepherd, F. Binkowski. Invited oral presentation. 2-22-2013.
AWARDS AND DISTINCTIONS
2012
USDA ARS HQ Postdoctoral Fellowship 2012-2014
2010
NOAA Sea Grant Knauss Fellow 2011-2012
2008-2010 National Science Foundation GK-12 (DGE 0742395) Fellow
2009
Best Oral Presentation, University of Toledo Sigma Xi Symposium
2007
International Association for Great Lakes Research (IAGLR) Scholarship
2006-2007 International Association for Great Lakes Research Student Travel Award
2005
American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists Student Travel Award
2001
World Aquaculture Society Student Travel Award
2001
College of Science and Technology Deanʼs Student Research Award, Central Michigan
University
2001
College of Science and Technology Deanʼs Student Presentation Award, Central Michigan
University
1999-2001 College of Graduate Studies Student Research and Creative Endeavors Award, Central
Michigan University
SYNERGISTIC AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES
• Aquaculture Roundtable, Wisconsin Aquaculture Association, Pewaukee, WI 2012
• Site visit to USDA ARS Trout Grains Program research facility, Bozeman, MT 2012
• Site visits to Bell Aquaculture (Albany and Redkey, IN) and Freshwater Farms (Urbana, OH), 2012
• Toledo Area of Concern Summit, NOAA, 2011
• Staff Search Committee, Lake Erie Center/ Health Sciences Campus, U. of Toledo, 2010
• Information Technology and Branding Committees, IAGLR Annual Meeting, 2009
• Secretary, NSF K-12 STEM Program, University of Toledo, 2009
• Judge, State Science Day, The Ohio State University, 2009
• Peer Reviewer: Transactions of American Fisheries Society, Journal of Great Lakes Research
• Faculty Search Committee, Department of Environmental Sciences, U. of Toledo, 2006
• Staff Search Committee, Lake Erie Center, U. of Toledo, 2005, 2007, 2008
• Mentor, NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates Program, U. of Toledo, 2007
• Field Mentor, Montessori Middle School Career Week, 2006
• Fassett Middle School Career Day Presenter, 2006
Osvaldo J. Sepulveda Villet –Curriculum Vitae
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
• Office productivity: MS Office Suite, OpenOffice.org, Google Docs, Microsoft SharePoint
• GIS analysis: ArcGIS suite
• Advanced content creation: Adobe Acrobat, Illustrator, Photoshop, Distiller, InDesign, Premiere
• DNA/RNA Sequencing and alignment: Bioedit, Clustal, MEGA, Sequencher, Seqscape
• DNA/RNA analysis: Genepop, Arlequin, Genalex, Structure, Geneclass, Barrier, Genemapper
• Phylogenetic analysis: Phylip, BEAST, jMODELTEST, Mesquite, MrBayes
• Database management: Microsoft Access, Filemaker Pro
• Statistical Analysis: SAS, R, SPSS.
• Laboratory Equipment operation, management and maintenance: ABI 3130XL Bioanalyzer, GE
Healthcare Ettan 2-D electrophoresis systems, GE Healthcare Typhoon 9400 scanner, PCR
thermocyclers, gel-based electrophoresis, light, laser confocal, and electron microscopy.
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