Marcela Alfaro Cordoba

Also known as: Marcela Alfaro-Córdoba; Marcela Alfaro; Marcela Alfaro-Cordoba; Marcela Alfaro Cordoba

Associate Professor of Teaching at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She is interested in developing novel statistical methods to address scientific questions related to the environment and turning those experiences of interdisciplinary collaboration into teaching methods for statistics and data science. more

Works (19)

Updated: July 5th, 2023 15:41

2022 article

Ten simple rules to host an inclusive conference

Joo, R., Sánchez-Tapia, A., Mortara, S., Saibene, Y. B., Turner, H., Peter, D. H., … Ravi, J. (2022, July 21). PLoS Computational Biology, Vol. 7.

By: R. Joo *, A. Sánchez-Tapia *, S. Mortara *, Y. Saibene *, H. Turner *, D. Peter *, N. Morandeira *, M. Bannert * ...

MeSH headings : COVID-19 / epidemiology; Humans; India; Italy; Pandemics; Writing
topics (OpenAlex): Conferences and Exhibitions Management
TL;DR: 10 simple rules to host an inclusive conference are introduced based on the authors’ recent experience organizing the 2021 edition of the useR! statistical computing conference, which attracted a broad range of participants from academia, industry, government, and the nonprofit sector. (via Semantic Scholar)
Source: ORCID
Added: July 27, 2022

2021 article

A School and a Network: CODATA-RDA Data Science Summer Schools Alumni Survey

Bezuidenhout, L., Drummond-Curtis, S., Walker, B., Shanahan, H., & Alfaro-Córdoba, M. (2021, January 1). Data Science Journal, Vol. 20, p. 10.

By: L. Bezuidenhout *, S. Drummond-Curtis, B. Walker*, H. Shanahan * & M. Alfaro-Córdoba* 

topics (OpenAlex): Scientific Computing and Data Management; Research Data Management Practices; Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare and Education
TL;DR: The results of the survey strongly support the SRDS’s long-term goals of facilitating data science training/capacity building within LMICs, and to foster communities of early career researchers (ECRs) conducting responsible and open data science research. (via Semantic Scholar)
Source: ORCID
Added: February 21, 2021

2021 journal article

First evidence for an aposematic function of a very common color pattern in small insects

Plos One, 16(2), 0237288.

By: A. Mora-Castro R

MeSH headings : Animals; Biological Mimicry / genetics; Biological Mimicry / physiology; Color; Female; Insecta; Male; Pigmentation / physiology; Predatory Behavior / physiology; Skin Pigmentation / physiology; Spiders / physiology; Wasps / physiology
Source: ORCID
Added: February 21, 2021

2020 article

Aridity Trends in Central America: A Spatial Correlation Analysis

Alfaro-Córdoba, M., Hidalgo, H. G., & Alfaro, E. J. (2020, April 23). Atmosphere.

By: M. Alfaro-Córdoba* , H. Hidalgo * & E. Alfaro *

author keywords: aridity; Central American climate; spatial correlation; trend analysis; variability
topics (OpenAlex): Hydrology and Drought Analysis; Hydrology and Watershed Management Studies; Climate variability and models
UN Sustainable Development Goals Color Wheel
UN Sustainable Development Goal Categories
13. Climate Action (OpenAlex)
Source: ORCID
Added: April 25, 2020

2020 article

Operationalizing Intentionality to Play Hanabi With Human Players

Eger, M., Martens, C., Chacón, P. S., Córdoba, M. A., & Hidalgo-Cespedes, J. (2020, July 14). IEEE Transactions on Games.

By: M. Eger *, C. Martens n, P. Chacón *, M. Córdoba*  & J. Hidalgo-Cespedes *

author keywords: Games; Artificial intelligence; Timing; Color; Special issues and sections; Intelligent agents; Communication channels; Game artificial intelligence; human computer interaction; intelligent agents; logic
topics (OpenAlex): Multi-Agent Systems and Negotiation; Artificial Intelligence in Games; Logic, Reasoning, and Knowledge
TL;DR: Artificial intelligence agents that are designed to play the cooperative card game Hanabi by making use of the fact that human players expect other players to act intentionally by formulating goals of their own and planning how to achieve them are described. (via Semantic Scholar)
Source: Web Of Science
Added: January 3, 2022

2019 article

A curriculum for foundational Research Data Science skills for Early Career Researchers

Data Science, R. D. A. C. O. D. A. T. A. S. S. (2019, October 10). [(Version 1).]. Research Data Alliance.

By: R. Data Science

topics (OpenAlex): Scientific Computing and Data Management; Statistics Education and Methodologies; Research Data Management Practices
Source: ORCID
Added: December 18, 2019

2019 article

Spectral measure of color variation of black - orange - black (BOB) pattern in small parasitic wasps (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), a statistical approach

Mora, R., Hernandez-Jimenez, M., Alfaro-Córdoba, M., Avendaño-Soto, E., & Hanson, P. (2019, May 28). BioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory).

By: R. Mora*, M. Hernandez-Jimenez *, M. Alfaro-Córdoba* , E. Avendaño-Soto * & P. Hanson *

topics (OpenAlex): Plant and animal studies; Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior; Hymenoptera taxonomy and phylogeny
TL;DR: A group of eight scelionid genera were studied by means of microspectrophotometric measurements for the first time, and results suggest that cuticle from different genera, but with the same color, might have a similar chemical composition. (via Semantic Scholar)
Source: ORCID
Added: June 28, 2022

2019 article

Spectral measure of color variation of black-orange-black (BOB) pattern in small parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), a statistical approach

Mora-Castro, R., Hernández-Jiménez, M., Alfaro-Córdoba, M., Avendano, E., & Hanson-Snortum, P. (2019, October 24). PLoS ONE, Vol. 14.

By: R. Mora-Castro *, M. Hernández-Jiménez *, M. Alfaro-Córdoba* , E. Avendano* & P. Hanson-Snortum*

Contributors: R. Mora-Castro *, M. Hernández-Jiménez *, M. Alfaro-Córdoba* , E. Avendano* & P. Hanson-Snortum*

MeSH headings : Algorithms; Animals; Color; Models, Biological; Pigmentation / physiology; Pigments, Biological / analysis; Spectrum Analysis / methods; Wasps / physiology
topics (OpenAlex): Plant and animal studies; Hymenoptera taxonomy and phylogeny; Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
TL;DR: This is the first time that the black and orange colors in small parasitoid wasps has been analyzed and the results provide a basis for future research on the color patterns of an abundant but neglected group of insects. (via Semantic Scholar)
Source: ORCID
Added: October 31, 2019

2019 journal article

Use of unconventional mixed Acetone-Butanol-Ethanol solvents for anthocyanin extraction from Purple-Fleshed sweetpotatoes

Food Chemistry, 314, 125959.

By: A. Zuleta-Correa  n, M. Chinn n , M. Alfaro-Córdoba* , V. Truong n, G. Yencho n  & J. Bruno-Bárcena n 

Contributors: A. Zuleta-Correa  n, M. Chinn n , M. Alfaro-Córdoba* , V. Truong n, G. Yencho n  & J. Bruno-Bárcena n 

author keywords: Ipomoea batatas; Anthocyanidins; Phenolics; Cyanidin; Peonidin; Temperature; Flour
MeSH headings : Acetone / chemistry; Anthocyanins / analysis; Anthocyanins / chemistry; Anthocyanins / isolation & purification; Butanols / chemistry; Chemical Fractionation / methods; Ethanol / chemistry; Ipomoea batatas / chemistry; Phenols / isolation & purification; Plant Extracts / chemistry; Solvents / chemistry
topics (OpenAlex): Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activities; Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques; Plant Gene Expression Analysis
TL;DR: Results indicated that unconventional diluted solvent mixes containing acetone, butanol, and ethanol were superior or equally efficient for extracting anthocyanins when compared to commonly used concentrated extractants. (via Semantic Scholar)
UN Sustainable Development Goals Color Wheel
UN Sustainable Development Goal Categories
Sources: ORCID, Crossref, NC State University Libraries
Added: December 11, 2019

2018 journal article

A comparison of testing methods in scalar-on-function regression

AStA Advances in Statistical Analysis, 103(3), 411–436.

By: M. Tekbudak  n, M. Alfaro-Córdoba* , A. Maity n  & A. Staicu n 

Contributors: M. Tekbudak  n, M. Alfaro-Córdoba* , A. Maity n  & A. Staicu n 

author keywords: Functional regression; Functional linear model; Nonparametric regression; Mixed-effects model; Hypothesis testing
topics (OpenAlex): Statistical Methods and Inference; Statistical Methods and Bayesian Inference; Gaussian Processes and Bayesian Inference
TL;DR: This article provides an overview of the existing methods for testing both the null hypotheses that there are no relationship and that there is a linear relationship between the functional covariate and scalar response, and a comprehensive numerical comparison of their performance. (via Semantic Scholar)
UN Sustainable Development Goals Color Wheel
UN Sustainable Development Goal Categories
Sources: ORCID, Crossref, NC State University Libraries
Added: May 15, 2019

2017 article

An intentional AI for hanabi

Eger, M., Martens, C., & Cordoba, M. A. (2017, August 1).

By: M. Eger  n, C. Martens  n & M. Cordoba n 

topics (OpenAlex): Artificial Intelligence in Games; Reinforcement Learning in Robotics; Language and cultural evolution
TL;DR: This paper investigates one such game, the award-winning card game Hanabi, and presents an agent designed to play better with a human cooperator than these previous results by basing it on communication theory and psychology research. (via Semantic Scholar)
Source: ORCID
Added: May 15, 2019

2017 journal article

The Use of Functional Data Analysis to Evaluate Activity in a Spontaneous Model of Degenerative Joint Disease Associated Pain in Cats

PLOS ONE, 12(1), e0169576.

By: M. Gruen n , M. Alfaro-Córdoba n , A. Thomson  n, A. Worth n, A. Staicu n  & B. Lascelles  n

Contributors: M. Gruen n , M. Alfaro-Córdoba n , A. Thomson  n, A. Worth n, A. Staicu n  & B. Lascelles  n

Ed(s): J. Harezlak

MeSH headings : Accelerometry; Animals; Cat Diseases / physiopathology; Cats; Female; Male; Motor Activity / physiology; Osteoarthritis / physiopathology; Osteoarthritis / veterinary
topics (OpenAlex): Veterinary Orthopedics and Neurology; Human-Animal Interaction Studies; Veterinary Equine Medical Research
TL;DR: Functional data analysis provides insight into the pattern of activity in cats, and an alternative method for analyzing accelerometry data that incorporates fluctuations in activity across the day. (via Semantic Scholar)
UN Sustainable Development Goals Color Wheel
UN Sustainable Development Goal Categories
Sources: ORCID, Web Of Science, Crossref, NC State University Libraries
Added: August 6, 2018

2017 article

Variable Selection Methods with Applications to Atmospheric Sciences

(2017, May 23). North Carolina State University. https://repository.lib.ncsu.edu/handle/1840.20/34318?show=full

Marcela Alfaro Cordoba

repository.lib.ncsu.edu
Source: ORCID
Added: May 15, 2019

2016 article

A data-driven weighting scheme for multivariate phenotypic endpoints recapitulates zebrafish developmental cascades

Zhang, G., Roell, K. R., Truong, L., Tanguay, R. L., & Reif, D. M. (2016, November 22). Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, Vol. 314, pp. 109–117.

By: G. Zhang  n, K. Roell  n, L. Truong *, R. Tanguay * & D. Reif n 

Contributors: G. Zhang  n, K. Roell  n, L. Truong *, R. Tanguay * & D. Reif n 

author keywords: Zebrafish; High-dimensional; Bayesian; Developmental cascade; ToxRefDB; Risk assessment; Multiple endpoints; Multivariate; Scoring
MeSH headings : Animals; Models, Theoretical; Multivariate Analysis; Phenotype; Zebrafish / embryology
topics (OpenAlex): Zebrafish Biomedical Research Applications; Fish Ecology and Management Studies; Environmental Toxicology and Ecotoxicology
TL;DR: The results suggest that developmental cascade effects triggered by chemical exposure can be recapitulated by analyzing the relationships among endpoints, and wAggE offers a powerful approach for analysis of multivariate phenotypes that can reveal underlying etiological processes. (via Semantic Scholar)
UN Sustainable Development Goals Color Wheel
UN Sustainable Development Goal Categories
Sources: Web Of Science, ORCID, NC State University Libraries
Added: August 6, 2018

2016 article

Data from: The use of functional data analysis to evaluate activity in a spontaneous model of degenerative joint disease associated pain in cats

Gruen, M. E., Alfaro-Córdoba, M., Thomson, A. E., Worth, A., Staicu, A.-M., Lascelles, B. D. X., & Worth, A. C. (2016, October 20).

By: M. Gruen n, M. Alfaro-Córdoba n , A. Thomson n, A. Worth, A. Staicu n, B. Lascelles n, A. Worth n

topics (OpenAlex):
Source: ORCID
Added: May 15, 2019

2014 article

Iodine Quantification to Distinguish Clear Cell from Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma at Dual-Energy Multidetector CT: A Multireader Diagnostic Performance Study

Mileto, A., Marin, D., Alfaro-Cordoba, M., Ramirez-Giraldo, J. C., Eusemann, C. D., Scribano, E., … Ascenti, G. (2014, August 27). Radiology, Vol. 273, pp. 813–820.

By: A. Mileto *, D. Marin *, M. Alfaro-Cordoba n , J. Ramirez-Giraldo, C. Eusemann, E. Scribano*, A. Blandino *, S. Mazziotti *, G. Ascenti *

Contributors: A. Mileto *, D. Marin *, M. Alfaro-Cordoba n , J. Ramirez-Giraldo, C. Eusemann, E. Scribano*, A. Blandino *, S. Mazziotti *, G. Ascenti *

MeSH headings : Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Carcinoma, Papillary / diagnostic imaging; Carcinoma, Papillary / pathology; Carcinoma, Papillary / surgery; Carcinoma, Renal Cell / diagnostic imaging; Carcinoma, Renal Cell / pathology; Carcinoma, Renal Cell / surgery; Contrast Media; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Iopamidol / analogs & derivatives; Kidney Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging; Kidney Neoplasms / pathology; Kidney Neoplasms / surgery; Male; Middle Aged; Multidetector Computed Tomography; Nephrectomy; Retrospective Studies
topics (OpenAlex): Advanced X-ray and CT Imaging; Radiation Dose and Imaging; Renal cell carcinoma treatment
TL;DR: Dual-energy multidetector CT with iodine quantification can be used to distinguish between clear cell and papillary RCC renal cell carcinoma , and it provides insights regarding the tumor grade. (via Semantic Scholar)
UN Sustainable Development Goals Color Wheel
UN Sustainable Development Goal Categories
Sources: Web Of Science, ORCID, NC State University Libraries
Added: August 6, 2018

2014 article

Nonlinear Image Blending for Dual-Energy MDCT of the Abdomen: Can Image Quality Be Preserved If the Contrast Medium Dose Is Reduced?

Mileto, A., Ramirez-Giraldo, J. C., Marin, D., Alfaro-Cordoba, M., Eusemann, C. D., Scribano, E., … Ascenti, G. (2014, September 23). American Journal of Roentgenology, Vol. 203, pp. 838–845.

By: A. Mileto, J. Ramirez-Giraldo, D. Marin, M. Alfaro-Cordoba n , C. Eusemann, E. Scribano, A. Blandino, S. Mazziotti, G. Ascenti

Contributors: A. Mileto, J. Ramirez-Giraldo, D. Marin, M. Alfaro-Cordoba n , C. Eusemann, E. Scribano, A. Blandino, S. Mazziotti, G. Ascenti

author keywords: contrast medium; dual-energy CT; linear blending; MDCT; nonlinear blending
MeSH headings : Abdominal Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Algorithms; Contrast Media / administration & dosage; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Humans; Iopamidol / administration & dosage; Iopamidol / analogs & derivatives; Male; Middle Aged; Multidetector Computed Tomography / methods; Nonlinear Dynamics; Radiographic Image Enhancement / methods; Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / methods; Radiography, Abdominal / methods; Radiography, Dual-Energy Scanned Projection / methods; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity; Subtraction Technique
topics (OpenAlex): Advanced X-ray and CT Imaging; Radiation Dose and Imaging; Medical Imaging Techniques and Applications
TL;DR: The dual-energy nonlinear image blending technique allows reducing the dose of contrast medium up to 50% during portal venous phase imaging of the abdomen while preserving image quality. (via Semantic Scholar)
UN Sustainable Development Goals Color Wheel
UN Sustainable Development Goal Categories
7. Affordable and Clean Energy (OpenAlex)
Sources: Web Of Science, ORCID, NC State University Libraries
Added: August 6, 2018

2010 journal article

Comparación metodológica de encuestas vía telefonía fija y celular en Costa Rica

Revista De Ciencias Económicas. https://revistas.ucr.ac.cr/index.php/economicas/article/view/7064/6749

Marcela Alfaro Cordoba

revistas.ucr.ac.cr
Source: ORCID
Added: May 15, 2019

manuscript

Multivariate Spatial-Temporal Variable Selection with Applications to Seasonal Tropical Cyclone Modeling

https://arxiv.org/abs/1805.03318

Marcela Alfaro Cordoba

arxiv.org
Source: ORCID
Added: May 15, 2019

Employment

Updated: August 12th, 2025 17:47

2025 - present

University of California, Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CA, US
Associate Professor of Teaching Statistics

2021 - 2025

University of California Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CA, US
Assistant Professor of Teaching Statistics

2017 - 2021

Universidad de Costa Rica San Jose, San José, CR
Assistant Professor Statistics

2013 - 2017

North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC, US
Research Assistant Statistics

2009 - 2011

Universidad de Costa Rica San Jose, San José, CR
Visiting Professor Statistics

Education

Updated: July 14th, 2017 06:05

2011 - 2017

North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC, US
Ph.D Statistics

2007 - 2009

Iowa State University Ames, IA, US
M.Sc. Statistics

2002 - 2006

Universidad de Costa Rica San Jose, San José, CR
B.Sc. Statistics

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