About me

Kevin Quinteros, Ph.D.

My name is Kevin Quinteros, and I identify as a Salvadoran American. In the 1980s, my parents made the courageous move to the United States, eventually settling in Iowa, where I grew up. However, I did spend part of my childhood in El Salvador, where my connection with nature and ecology first blossomed. Exploring my grandparents' land in El Salvador is a fond memory of that time.

Coming from a single-parent household and Spanish being my first language, I encountered my fair share of challenges while navigating the educational system. Luckily, I found supportive mentors and programs that have helped me pursue a career in science, notably through the ScienceBound program. This program, which spans from pre-college to college, opened my eyes to higher education possibilities for someone with my background. My journey into the research world began in high school when I interned with Dr. Fred Janzen, focusing on the ecology of painted turtles. This collaboration continued throughout my undergraduate studies.

Ultimately, I decided to pursue a Ph.D., and I owe much of my academic development to the guidance of my advisors, Dr. John Nason and Dr. Tracy Heath. During my Ph.D., my research focused on the co-evolution of the fig and fig wasp mutualism. This research path led me to explore questions surrounding the factors that sustain symbiotic relationships, the triggers for their breakdown, and the impact of environmental factors on symbionts.