Fernando Diaz-Gonzalez, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biology
Office: NSB, Room 346
Email: fdiaz@wtamu.edu
Phone: 806-651-2283
Professional Profile
Dr. Diaz joined the Department of Life, Earth, and Environmental Sciences (LEES) at West Texas A&M University in Fall 2023. He earned his B.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Genetics from the Universidad del Valle in Colombia in 2014, where his doctoral research explored the genetic basis of thermal adaptation in the whitefly, a major agricultural pest. Following his Ph.D., Dr. Diaz expanded his research through collaborations at the University of Melbourne in Australia and held postdoctoral positions at the Universidade Federal de São Carlos in Brazil and the University of Arizona. Before joining WTAMU, he served as a visiting faculty member at Colgate University in New York.
Teaching and Related Service
Dr. Diaz teaches courses in Genetics, Evolution, Molecular Ecology, and Introduction to Biology for the Biology and Wildlife programs. He actively mentors undergraduate and graduate students in his research lab, involving them in various aspects of his projects. In addition to teaching and mentorship, Dr. Diaz is an advisor for biology majors, serves on departmental and university committees, and participates in various outreach activities promoting scientific awareness and engagement within the broader community.
Research and Creative Activity
Dr. Diaz’s research revolves around the intersection of genomics and evolution, focusing on how species adapt to environmental change. He has published 23 peer-reviewed articles, many of which integrate genomic and transcriptomic approaches to explore the genetic architecture and evolutionary history of populations and species. His research also examines reproductive isolation and hybridization, with a focus on desert-adapted Drosophila, ants, and agriculturally significant insect species. At WTAMU, Dr Diaz uses transcriptomics and epigenomics to study how desert-adapted Drosophila and other species respond to extreme temperatures. By analyzing gene expression changes under heat stress, his research identifies genetic mechanisms that enable these insects to acclimate to shifting climates.