What Our Clients Think
Perspectives shared from our clients and partners.
About Rodger Gwiazdowski (/(g)wiz·daʊ·skē/)
Rodger founded ABC in 2015 to bring evolutionary and ecological science into the practical work of conserving at-risk species.
He holds a joint PhD in Organismic & Evolutionary Biology and Entomology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where he is now an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Environmental Conservation. In service of tiger beetle conservation, he has built and refined an approach to leading multi-institutional programs that bring Tribal, Federal, State, academic, NGO, and private-sector partners into working alignment, combining systems thinking with principled negotiation.
His work spans North America, including field research throughout Mexico and postdoctoral fellowships in Canada, and has contributed to discovering and describing new species, establishing new populations of endangered species, advancing global biodiversity-informatics infrastructure, and publishing more than 40 peer-reviewed and technical papers. He particularly enjoys leading and learning alongside others — within teams, and across teams-of-teams. He and his team have been featured by The New York Times, NPR, and in national museum exhibits.
Before ABC, Rodger grew up in New Jersey (Exit 14A), where curiosity led him to work in NYC-area zoos: marine mammal training at the New York Aquarium (Brooklyn, Surf Ave.), the Bronx Zoo Pathology Department (Bronx, 5 line @ E.180th), and helping build the Animal Husbandry Department at the Liberty Science Center (Jersey City).
“I have worked with Rodger on various conservation projects involving tiger beetles for over a decade. He is organized, enthusiastic, and engaging. He is willing and able to do multiple tasks, from lab and fieldwork, to organizing volunteers and supporting students projects. Rodger’s main interest is doing collaborative, impactful and long lasting conservation work that can become the framework for future projects.”
Neil Kapitulik
Independent Biological Contractor
Colrain, MA
“I have known Rodger since 2000, when as an undergraduate he contacted me for information about the Federally threatened Northeastern Beach Tiger Beetle for a student project. Now nearly 30 years later we have continued our friendship and collaboration on rare tiger beetle research, primarily this species and the Puritan Tiger Beetle. Much of the successful conservation research with these species by Rodger, me, and our colleagues has been a result of Rodger’s major research grants and awards. He has proven to be a master at writing fundable grants and in directing the research involved. Another asset is his ability to effectively communicate with state and federal personnel on critical and sometimes conflicting issues related to conservation and recovery of rare tiger beetles. He is especially insightful, seeing the big picture, and with logical, workable approaches for accomplishing goals. Throughout his professional career and especially in recent years, Rodger has shown the ability to balance multiple jobs at the same time. Specifically, he has managed the grants and research through his Advanced BioConsulting company while at the same time being employed in other full time positions. Rodger has been an excellent mentor to students, effectively engaging them in valuable research complimentary to the grant objectives. As a valued colleague, he has an easy going, encouraging manner, with a good balance of serious purpose and humor. With an incredible diversity of experiences and successes throughout his young career, I expect to see Rodger continue to accomplish great things. .”
Dr. C. Barry Knisley
Paul H. Wornom Professor of Biology, Emeritus, Randolph-Macon College
Manikin Sabot, VA
“Rodger was never discouraged by a problem, if an issue were to arise he would think of it less as an issue and more as an opportunity to learn. Rodger was not only invested in the rehabilitation of the Puritan Tiger Beetle but he was invested in everyone involved with the project; working with students to develop projects that would advance their careers, incorporating opinions of those who’ve studied PTB in the past, and scheduling time with volunteers who just wanted some extra lab experience.”
Ainsley Brosnan-Smith
Puritan Tiger Beetle Project 2017-2019
New York, NY
“I have worked with Rodger for the past year and a half as a Research Assistant with the Puritan Tiger Beetle Recovery Project. He has been instrumental to my learning and development as a member of the project team. He has always been there for me as a mentor, giving me useful advice when I feel out of my depth.”
Caleb Robitaille
Puritan Tiger Beetle Project 2017-2019
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“Extremely motivating and enthusiastic” is the phrase that comes to mind when I think about Rodger. Above all, I was particularly impressed with Rodger’s ability to juggle advising multiple student research projects, which made a dramatic difference in the productivity level of our PTB recovery team. And, how could I forget, his unwavering ability to encourage others during our weekly meetings, making sure everyone left feeling optimistic.”
Robin Saudade
Puritan Tiger Beetle Project 2017-2019
New York, NY
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Springfield, IL