Gene Rhodes is Director of the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Founding Director of the University of Georgia Research Institute, and a University of Georgia Athletic Association Professor of Applied Ecology in the Odum School of Ecology. Gene is a Fellow of the Wildlife Society and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and holds a B.S. degree in Biology from Furman University, an M.S. degree in Wildlife Biology from Clemson University, and a Ph.D. in Wildlife Ecology from Texas Tech University. Over the past 35 years, his research has focused on wildlife ecology and genetics, including studies of the genetic consequences of species reintroduction programs, the application of genetic tools for addressing issues in wildlife management, conservation, and disease ecology, 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 conflicts.

Over the course of his career, he has secured more than $80 million in research grants and authored more than 258 publications including: 210 peer-reviewed scientific journal articles, 2 books,10 book chapters, 28 peer-reviewed symposia articles and several extension articles and laboratory manuals. Gene has served as the primary advisor of 40 graduate students while in positions at Purdue University and UGA.  For his leadership in the area of wildlife ecology and genetics he was awarded the Caesar Kleberg Award for Excellence in Applied Wildlife Management from the Wildlife Society in 2018, presented the Professional Award of Merit by the Northcentral Section of The Wildlife Society in 2008, received the Hoosier Wildlife Award from the Indiana Chapter of The Wildlife Society in 2007, and was named a Purdue University Faculty Scholar in 2006.  In his current role as the Director of the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, he provides leadership and vision to an externally funded UGA Center employing 19 faculty and over 180 staff and graduate students.  He is a certified wildlife biologist and past president of the Association of Ecosystem Research Centers.