Olin E. "Gene" Rhodes, Jr.

Related Web Pages:

• Genetics Laboratory
• PICES

Research:

• Applied Wildlife Genetics
• Human Wildlife Conflicts

Courses:

• FNR 240 - Wildlife in America
• FNR 242 - Laboratory in Ecology and Systematics of Fishes and Mammals
• FNR 252 - Laboratory in Ecology and Systematics of Amphibians, Reptiles and Birds

Gene Rhodes is a Professor in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) at Purdue University and Interim Head of the Purdue Interdisciplinary Center for Ecological Sustainability.  Gene received his B.S. in Biology from Furman University in 1983, his M.S. in Wildlife Biology from Clemson University 1986, and his Ph.D. in Wildlife Ecology from Texas Tech University in1991.  He worked as a Temporary Assistant Research Ecologist at the University of Georgia’s Savannah River Ecology Laboratory from 1991-1995.  Since coming to Purdue as an Assistant Professor in 1995, Gene has completed 14 graduate students (4 Ph.D. & 10 M.S.), has averaged 8 publications per year, and has acquired over 11 million dollars in external funding.

Gene was the second faculty member in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources to be named a University Faculty Scholar, was named the Outstanding Graduate Educator in Forestry and Natural Resources in both 2005 & 2006, and was awarded the Hoosier Wildlife Award by the Indiana Chapter of The Wildlife Society in 2007.  He has published over 112 scholarly works encompassing a wide variety of topics in ecology and genetics.  His research focus is in wildlife ecology and genetics, including studies of the genetic consequences of species reintroduction programs, the use of genetic markers in applied wildlife management and conservation programs, the use of genetic markers to elucidate mating systems, movement behavior, and population structure of wildlife species, and sustainability of wildlife species in human-dominated landscapes with an emphasis on the resolution of human-wildlife conflict.