ABOUT DR. ARIADNA (ARI) ROJAS-CORZO
EDUCATION
Ph.D., Integrative Biology (Marine Science and Oceanography conc.), Florida Atlantic University, 2025. Advisor: Dr. Matthew J. Ajemian
M.S., Biology, Florida Atlantic University, 2023
B.S., Biology, University of Havana, Cuba, 2013
RESEARCH APPOINTMENTS
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute | Jan 2026–present
Lab: Fisheries Ecology and Conservation Lab | PI: Dr. Matthew Ajemian
Graduate Research Assistant, FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute | 2020–2025
Lab: Fisheries Ecology and Conservation Lab | PI: Dr. Matthew Ajemian
Graduate Research Assistant, Center for Marine Research, University of Havana, Cuba | 2013–2016
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Graduate Research Assistant | Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, FL, USA | 2020–2025
Research Focus: Identify nursery habitats for whitespotted eagle rays in Florida. Evaluate phycotoxin uptake from harmful algal blooms and interactions with shellfish aquaculture.
Key Activities: Field sampling (capture, morphometrics, blood/biopsy/genetic sampling, PIT/acoustic tagging), manual tracking, acoustic receiver data collection, and captive trials testing magnetic deterrents.
Skills: Grant writing, acoustic telemetry, animal handling, experiment set up, statistical analysis, science communication.
Additional skills:
-
Assisted with seasonal shark/rays/fish diversity surveys (gillnets, longlines, tagging,sample colllection)
-
Assisted with other projects involving tagging of goliath grouper, smallthooth sawfish, testing the effectiveness of deterrents reducing shark depredation in recreational fisheries.
-
Maintained acoustic receiver arrays.
-
Assisted with the collection of genetic swabs and stomach content of rays for diet analysis and the identification of shellfish predators.
-
Co-advised undergraduate students in the summer internship program at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute.
Graduate Research Assistant | Center for Marine Research, University of Havana, Cuba | 2013–2016
Research Projects:
-
Genetic connectivity of marine nematodes (Desmodora spp.): DNA extraction, sequencing, phylogenetic analysis.
-
Shark and Ray Conservation Project: conducted fishing surveys (catch composition, gear types, bycatch data), database management, genetic sampling and tagging.
Teaching: Teaching Assistant for Zoology of Vertebrates Laboratory.
GRANTS AND PROPOSALS
Proposals received as PI/Co-PI
-
2026. Characterizing nursery habitat use by gravid whitespotted eagle rays (Aetobatus narinari) in Florida. William R. and Lenore Mote Early Career in Marine Sciences Fellowship ($60,000). Combining ultrasound for pregnancy confirmation with acoustic telemetry to track gravid females in the Indian River Lagoon and Sarasota Bay.
-
2026–2027. Picking up the pieces II: Enhancing forensic methods to reveal predators interacting with molluscan shellfish in Florida. PI M.J. Ajemian; Co-PIs A. Rojas-Corzo, M.W. McCoy, L. Boyd ($156,529). Extends predator-DNA recovery from shell to strombid conchs, with camera-validated field deployments, metabarcoding, and qPCR. Received.
GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS AND AWARDS
2023 Mote Scientific Foundation Grant, $20,000
2023–2027 FACT Network and Ocean Tracking Network Equipment Loan, $16,456
2023 Save Our Seas Foundation Small Grant, $10,000
2020–2024 Indian River Lagoon Graduate Research Fellowship, $39,904 total
2022–2023 FAU Graduate Fellowship of Academic Excellence, $10,000 total
2024 Paul Dritenbass Memorial Scholarship, $5,000
2022 FAU Graduate Diversity Fellowship, $2,500
2024 ECOS Graduate Student Research Award, $2,000
2022, 2023 People's Choice Award, IRL Symposium $450 total
2025 FAU Travel Grant ($800)2023
FACT Network Student Travel Award ($150)
OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
-
Veterinary Technician, Briarwood Animal Hospital, Miami (2017–2020); Veterinary Technician Volunteer, Miami Seaquarium (2017–2018)
-
Research Volunteer (visiting scientist), Spotted Eagle Ray Conservation Program, Mote Marine Laboratory (2016–2020)
Key Activities: Assisted with capture, measurements, genetic sampling, and release of whitespotted eagle rays.
-
Research Assistant, Gardens of the Queen Research Cruises, Cuba (2008–2016)
Key Activities: Shark tagging and sample collection; underwater transects for fish diversity and abundance; sediment and coral core collection.
-
Student, Marine Turtle Conservation Program, University of Havana (2010–2011)
Key Activities: Nest surveys, sample collection for sex determination studies, baseline data for Fibropapilloma virus research.
-
Student, National Aquarium of Cuba (2008–2009). Summer project on behavioral analysis of dolphins in captivity.
SKILLS
Fisheries Sampling: Tagging (acoustic, PIT, ROTO, spaghetti); tangle-net, gill-net, longline, hook-and-line, drumline, seine. Sample collection in sharks and rays (blood, biopsy, ultrasound, gastric lavage in rays).
Benthic/Oceanographic Sampling: Mesocosm experiments, transect surveys, CTD, neuston net deployment, phytoplankton tows.
Data Analysis: R, ArcGIS, Microsoft Office
CERTIFICATIONS & LANGUAGES
Certifications: Motorboat Operators Certification (FAU-HBOI), CPR & First Aid, USCG Captain’s License, Open Water SCUBA Diver
Languages: Spanish (native), English (fully proficient)
