Kevin Aviles-Rodriquez (he/him)
Assistant Professor College of Arts & Sciences Biological and Physical Sciences Providence
Biography and Expertise
Kevin Aviles Rodriguez, Ph.D.’s interest in ecology and evolution was sparked during a college Zoology course that incorporated examples relevant to the local biodiversity of Puerto Rico. Understanding that the island where he grew up was rich in biodiversity fostered an enthusiasm for biological research that ultimately led Aviles Rodriguez to pursue graduate-level degrees in Biology.
Throughout his teaching and mentoring roles, Aviles Rodrigues has sought to follow in the footsteps of his mentor and incorporate relevant and local examples into his courses. He fervently believes that engaging students with the natural laboratories of the local ecosystems results in student-led application of the core themes of biology.
Aviles Rodriguez’ research applies ecological and evolutionary methods to evaluate amphibians and reptiles that are impacted by human activity and urbanization. For example, he applies a conservation genetic approach to research the Puerto Rican freshwater turtle. The research aim is to understand how many genetic populations are on the island to support management plans. Moreover, the species is hybridizing with Red Eared Sliders, an invasive freshwater turtle introduced to Puerto Rico in the 1980s. Students interested in amphibians and reptiles, field ecology or population genetics are encouraged to seek undergraduate research opportunities with Aviles Rodriguez.
Education
PhD
University of Massachusetts at Boston
MS
University of Rhode Island
BS
University of Puerto Rico
National Science Foundation Post-Doctoral Fellowship
National Science Foundation
Carlen, E. & Miles, L. & Aviles-Rodriquez, K. & Booth, W.
A Beginner’s How-To Guide to Urban Population Genetics and Genomics
Ecology & Evolution
16
4
e733372
Michaud, R. & De Leon, L. & Revell, L. & Aviles-Rodriquez, K.
Geometric morphometric assessment of toe shape in forest and urban lizards following hurricane disturbances
Integrative Organismal Biology
5
1
p.obad025
De Leon, L. & Silva, B. & Aviles-Rodriquez, K. & Buitrago-Rosas, D.
Harnessing the omics revolution to address the global biodiversity crisis
Current Opinion in Biotechnology
80
102901
Developing Data Science and Bioinformatics Training in Our Curriculum
Panel Presentation
College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Advisory Council meeting
Johnson & Wales University
Zoom
Providence
RI
Provost Teaching Innovation Grant: Developing Data Science and Bioinformatics Training in Our Curriculum
Oral Presentation
College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Faculty Welcome
Johnson & Wales University
Zoom
Providence
RI
The Role of an IACUC: Scholarship & Learning with Animals
Oral Presentation
University Scholarship & Best Practices Expo,
Johnson & Wales
Genomic Assessment to Evaluate the Impacts of Habitat Loss and Biological Invasion on the Puerto Rican Slider (Trachemys s. stejnegeri).
Oral Presentation
7th Herpetology Symposium
University of Puerto Rico Arecibo
University of Puerto Rico Arecibo
Arecibo, Puerto Rico
Conserving the Puerto Rican Slider
Invited guest lecturer for the Herpetology Course at University of Puerto Rico
University of Puerto Rico
San Juan