UWM biologist named a fellow of the Animal Behavior Society

Rafael Rodriguez, UWM professor of biological sciences, has been elected as a fellow of the Animal Behavior Society in recognition of his research contributions in animal cognition and sexual selection, contained in more than 90 publications.

There have been only three previous ABS fellows from Wisconsin, and only one of those was from UWM – the late Millicent “Penny” Ficken.

Rafael Rodriguez

Rodriguez joined the UWM faculty in 2007. His research focuses on the causes of variation in behaviors that can help scientists understand the course of evolution. His studies have included communication, memory and mate preference, especially with insects and spiders. His research also has shown that such tiny brains show characteristics of higher intelligence.

Rodriguez has been active in the ABS, helping to organize the 2018 annual meeting at UWM and editing a special issue of the society’s journal. He earned his master’s degree from the University of Costa Rica and his Ph.D. in evolutionary biology and entomology from the University of Kansas.

The ABS is one of the largest professional organizations for animal behaviorists in the world, and it publishes the journal Animal Behaviour. Rodriguez’s election occurred Aug. 6 at the annual meeting of the society.

By Laura Otto, University Relations