I completed my Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Massachusetts Boston in 2021. I am an evolutionary ecologist researching how species respond to anthropogenic drivers such as urbanization, invasive species, and climate change. Broadly, I am interested in understanding how urbanization shapes evolutionary trajectories, particularly in tropical species facing ongoing challenges due to global climate change. For instance, my research is one of the few to consider the intersection between urbanization and hurricanes. Recently, I have broadened my research scope towards applied conservation biology using molecular approaches. In my current role as an NSF Postdoctoral Fellow, I am applying ecological (population surveys, morphometrics) and molecular techniques (ddRAD & mitochondrial sequencing) to evaluate the conservation needs of freshwater turtle communities. My research program will use ecological, field-based, and molecular methods to connect natural history to evolutionary patterns and apply the generated knowledge to conservation issues driven by anthropogenic drivers.
I am also very passionate about teaching and science outreach. During my graduate studies, I thought several biology laboratory courses such as introductory biology, animal behavior, comparative animal physiology, and biology for non-majors. I received a teaching award from my peers at the University of Massachusetts Boston. I am also interested in scientific outreach and promoting young minority students to pursue an education in science. As part of this interest I actively engage in increasing access to science through blog writing and mentoring as a member of SACNAS (Advancing Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science). More recently I have launched Jicoteando a facebook group for outreach targeted to the latinX community in Puerto Rico. My goal is to work as a professor where I will continue to pursue scientific research, education and mentoring of diverse students to ensure that tomorrow there will indeed be more of us.
You can reach me at:
Kev.Aviles.Rodz@gmail.com
Kevin J. Avilés Rodríguez 