VAL GERARD, MA, PhD in Biology
Scientific Editing | Medical Editing | Editor of Scientific Research Papers

Dr. Gerard edits research papers, grant proposals, theses, dissertations, and materials for commercial or public use (brochures, instruction manuals, websites, etc.) in medicine, the life sciences, and other fields of science. She retired after 30 years as a scientist and professor, with a strong record of publications and successful research funding. She now uses her skills to help others achieve similar successes.

Val has worked with professionals and students on writing projects in a broad range of medical and scientific fields.  Many of her clients have returned for assistance with new or ongoing projects.  Val helps her clients to communicate complex information in a succinct, clear, and well organized manner; to design clear and efficient figures and tables; to identify and summarize the most important points.  With her assistance, clients have been successful in obtaining multi-million dollar research grants, publishing articles in prestigious journals, completing and defending dissertations, etc.  Val takes pride in the achievements of every one of her clients, and particular pride in the development and improvement of their own writing skills that will help to ensure their future success.

• Dr. Gerard’s research has appeared in 50+ publications (e.g., physiology, biochemistry). She has written, reviewed, or edited one million dollars worth of successful grant proposals.
• High rate of client success with manuscripts submitted to scientific and medical journals.
• Over thirty years of teaching experience, including scientific writing courses. Served as advisor and/or mentor to many graduate and undergraduate students.
• Past experience as associate editor, editorial board member, and/or reviewer for over two dozen scientific journals, including Science, and government funding agencies.
• Associate editor and/or reviewer for over two dozen scientific journals, including Science and government funding agencies.
• Past and current clients from Australia, Canada, Chile, China, Columbia, Croatia, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Israel, Japan, Korea, Malawi, Mexico, the Netherlands, Patagonia, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Thailand, Uganda, the U.K., the U.S., and Venezuela.
• Medical and science editor and writer since 2001. Editing and copyediting of manuscripts, books, grant proposals, dissertations. Topics range from oncology, cardiology, immunology, and epidemiology to ecology, oceanography, molecular genetics, biochemistry,  and development of new therapies through chemical mining. Specializes in organization, interpretation, and clear presentation of complex information.
• Helps clients improve their own writing skills for future projects, including non-native English speakers.
• Provides rapid turnaround.  Helps you submit your grant proposal, manuscript, book chapter, or report on time.

Education

After earning her Ph.D. from the University of California at Santa Cruz, Val worked as a research biologist at Dalhousie University and the California Institute of Technology. She ultimately accepted a faculty position at the State University of New York, Stony Brook, and retired from that position in 1999.

Client Feedback

“Dr. Val Gerard was extremely helpful and was really in tune with what I wanted. Her comments on my article are precise and informative. Will definitely ask for her service if I need help with manuscripts or grant proposals.” Jan Chang, UMass Boston

“Thank you for your assistance and suggestions for my thesis.  I had my viva and they were very impressed and complimentary. They awarded me the degree without reservations and without any changes required.” Successful candidate for Doctor of Medicine, Oxford University.

“Val, thank you SO much! I just met with my advisor to discuss this paper and am feeling much better about it, thanks to your tremendous help. I have to make some updates based on his feedback, which are primarily additions to the study intros & discussions and technical changes to the analyses, so I’m happy too that none of your work will be wasted. I wish I had collaborators like you! I’m surprised and pleased to be working with someone who’s fast, meticulous, and so honest in keeping track of time and letting me know that the project came in under budget. And thank you again for getting this done so quickly – I’m thoroughly impressed.” Doctoral student, Harvard Business School (On file with network coordinator)

“Thanks for sending the suggested revisions. I accepted nearly all of them and the brief is much improved. It’s been excellent working with you on this, as usual.”  (On file with network coordinator)

“Dr. Gerard is a wonderful writer. She took something that was a bit dry and made it engaging and easy for regular people to understand. Also, she is lovely to work with.” Vanessa Spann, associate editor, Healthy Travel Media

” I am very grateful to you Val, I was devastated when my Masters passed internal assessment and then failed the external review. I was thinking of abandoning the Masters but then found the website. With your help I kept going and my tutor has just emailed back saying it has not only passed but been awarded a distinction! I owe this to you over and over, I would have given up but you just kept pushing me on.”   M.Sc. in Medical Education, UK (contact information on request)

“Very professional and timely. I am very satisfied with the level of service I received.” (Contact information on request)

“Val provided timely and professional service. Her background in science and experience in writing make her an expert in editing science journal paper drafts. She spotted those awkward/confusing words, sentences, and paragraphs right away and rewrote/rearrange them in a much more concise and clearer way. She is a very nice person and gave general advice about writing as well. I hope I am richer so I can get more help from her (we poor scientists :-)).” Research scientist in atmospheric chemistry modelling, U.S. (contact information on request)

“I have used other proofreading services before, but they are not comparable with the work done by Dr. Val Gerard. It was outstanding. I will strongly recommend her to other colleagues that are working with us.” Researcher in Marine Biology, Argentina (contact information on request).

“Val has been a great asset for my academic career. She asks smart questions about the data presented with such thoughtful insight that is like a reviewer.  In addition, she responds very fast, so I can always count with her help.  I consider her as part of my team, as now she plays a very important role. My ability to communicate has improved also, as a result of her comments to my writings. I have already recommended her to my colleagues!” M.D./Ph.D. in Neuroepidemiology, Venezuela (contact information on request).

“Val provides express and professional service that is worth using. She made my work better, clearer, and truer.”  Researcher in Physical Oceanography, Thailand (contact information on request).

“DONE!!! The paperwork is signed and submitted, the after-defense party has been held, and I am feeling very good!!! As far as congratulations go – you deserve MUCH credit. Thank you once again, Val. That mock defense was incredibly helpful, as at least 2 questions were nearly word-for-word! Your assistance with the talk was also of great benefit, as [my advisor] said that it was one of the best defense presentations he had ever witnessed! I can put this project on the ‘finally finished’ pile. Your help in all this has been pivotal. I will never forget it. I have never—in my life—ever—received such targeted, useful professional advice, and productive feedback. It has been a true pleasure working with you, and learning a new way of writing and putting together a scientific story. ‘Thank you’ are words that seem so small, as they stand against the great sense of honor and gratitude I hold for you within. Please know, Val, that I am very thankful – for your patient and technically excellent work has helped to bring freedom of mind, that in turn is already opening new and exciting avenues to my life. As you have taught me much and brought much good into my life, I hope to use what I have learned to bring much good into the lives of others.” Successful Ph.D. candidate in Ecology, U.S. (contact information on request).

“I’ve now reviewed all your suggested revisions, which really improve the quality of the paper!” Senior Scientist, Socioeconomics, CIMMYT, Ethiopia.

“Thanks Val, I could never have ventured to this point without all of your kind words and great editing skills. I really appreciate all of your help from the bottom of my heart.”  Successful M.S. candidate in Physiology, Australia.

“It was a great experience to get to work with Dr. Val Gerard. I was initially very worried that by hiring an editor online, the individual might not know how to properly compose a scientific paper, but with Val’s credentials to support her competency and familiarity with scientific writing, I realized I needn’t worry. She was extremely professional and always completed her work by set deadlines. Furthermore, throughout the process it was extremely easy to contact her even despite the large time difference between Dublin Ireland and Oregon USA. She made me feel like I was her only concern in the world.”  M.S. candidate in neurobiology, Ireland.

“I finished making the suggested revisions to the first three chapters of my thesis.  Thank you very much for your insightful help…I was extremely happy with the document when I reread it after the editing process.  I also feel that I can now identify some of my reoccurring flaws in my writing.  Thank you again and all the best.”  Successful Ph.D. candidate in Biomedical Engineering, U.S.

“I was extremely reticent to put my dissertation manuscript in the hands of an editor that I didn’t even know. However, Valerie was superb! She helped me to order my dissertation in a clear and concise manuscript that was not only easier to read but also sharper and very well organized. Since the beginning she answered all my questions making the whole process a good experience. She works fast and is very competent. After several revisions from my advisor I was thinking that my manuscript was in good shape, but Valerie’s input make it so much better. I also learned about writing thanks to her advice during the editing. Without a doubt, her dedication saved me from hours of senseless self-editing and frustration.” Successful Ph.D. candidate in Oceanography, U.S. (contact information on request).

“Thank you so much for your help on this project. I’m sure other people don’t drag things out this much but I wouldn’t have ever finished this without your help.”  Professor of Veterinary Medicine, U.S.

“Val was not only a meticulous editor, she was an exemplary instructor who carefully demonstrated the differences between writing for literary and scientific audiences. She provided clear, kind, and encouraging feedback very promptly, and she kept lines of communication open so I knew what to expect and when. If only more professors were like her! Highly recommended” (Contact information on request)