Adolfo Rodríguez Velázquez, a Puerto Rican scientist, grew up in the Collores neighborhood of Las Piedras with a fascination for nature and its secrets. As a child, he would often bring animals to school, including frogs and mice, and even kept a pet toad under his bed.
His curiosity and love for nature led him to investigate the venomous species of snakes in Puerto Rico after being bitten by a Borikenophis portoricensis, a species he later studied for his doctoral thesis. Rodríguez Velázquez identifies with misunderstood organisms, such as snakes, cockroaches, and amphibians, and feels a connection to them due to the rejection he faced himself.
Despite the uncertainty of his career path, he decided to break the mold and be true to himself, embracing his Afro-Antillean, Caribbean, and queer identity. He is now set to explore the ocean's depths, defying stereotypes and paving the way for others like him.