Kathryn Perez, Ph.D.
Kathryn Perez, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
SCNE 3.142
Office: (956) 665-7145
Research Field
kathryn.perez@utrgv.edu
Office Hours
Courses
Biological Writing (BIOL 3302)
Biological Evolution (BIOL 3301)
Invertebrate Zoology (BIOL 3414)
Education
Ph.D. Biological Sciences. 2005. University of Alabama.
M.S. Biology. 2001. Angelo State University.
B.S. Biology. 1998. Angelo State University.
Areas of Interest
Systematics, taxonomy, malacology, biogeography, ecology, biology education research.
Research
This research integrates evolutionary biology and ecology, specifically applying the tools of molecular and morphological systematics and ecology to study taxonomy, ecology, conservation, and helicograph of terrestrial, freshwater, and marine snails. One major research project studies the systematics and taxonomy of the Polygyridae, a family of land snails in the United States and Mexico. A second research area is the study of the origin and colonization of the invasive freshwater snail Bithynia tentaculata. A third ongoing research project examines the distribution and diversity of local land snails using spatial analyses, geographic information systems (GIS), and environmental niche modeling. Finally, we are conducting several research projects on how students learn the nature and process of science and evolutionary concepts.