Profile Details

Create Project

★★★★★

☆☆☆☆☆

USD 130 /hr

★★★★★

☆☆☆☆☆

Hire Kenneth H.

United States

USD 130 /hr

Senior Conservation Scientist | Ph.D. Malacologist | Molecular Systematics & Invertebrat Biodiversity Expert

Profile Summary

I am a Senior Conservation Scientist with over 25 years of experience specializing in the integration of molecular data for a better understanding of ecology, evolution, systematics, and conservation planning. My work focuses on characterizing and protecting biodiversity, with a particular emphasis on Hawaiian land snails and aquatic invertebrates. I bridge the gap between complex field data and actionable policy recommendations for resource management and biosecurity. Core Expertise & Research Molecular Systematics & eDNA: Extensive experience in DNA barcoding, phylogenetics, and the development of molecular protocols to improve species detection, identification, and minimize false positives in habitat predictions. Conservation Assessment: Active contributor to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, currently leading assessments for multiple freshwater mollusk species. I am proficient in systematic conservation planning and spatial habitat modeling. Invasive Species & Biosecurity: Expert in identifying and mitigating the impacts of invasive invertebrates, providing strategic guidance for ecosystem services protection and biosecurity protocols. Grant & Project Management: Proven track record in securing and managing large-scale federal funding (notably from the National Science Foundation, USFWS, and USDA), including the leadership of multi-institutional research and educational initiatives (BIORETS, IRES). Ongoing & Previous Projects My current portfolio includes providing strategic scientific consulting for watershed management groups, where I develop evidence-based frameworks for invertebrate conservation. My previous research has extensively covered the integrative taxonomy of Pacific Island land snails, utilizing molecular data and anatomy to resolve complex biogeographic questions. Technical Skills Data Science: Proficiency in rigorous statistical analysis, phylogenetics, and ecological assessments. Editorial Leadership: Serving as an editor for BioInvasions Records, Biological Invasions, and others. I maintain a high standard for scientific literature synthesis and peer-reviewed evidence. Pedagogy: Significant experience in professional development for educators and mentoring graduate-level researchers in bioinformatics and field methods. I am available for technical consulting, scientific manuscript editing, grant proposal review, and the development of biosecurity and conservation strategies.

Subject Matter Expertise

• ★ Conservation Biology
• ★ Taxonomy/Classification
• ★ Phylogenetics
• ☆ Evolutionary Biology
• ☆ Biostatistics
• ☆ Zoology
• ☆ Wildlife Management
• ☆ Molecular Biology
• ☆ Genetics
• ☆ Molecular Evolution
• ☆ PCR
• ☆ Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)
• ☆ DNA Sequencing
• ☆ Genome Sequencing
• ☆ Molecular Ecology
• ☆ Marine Biology
• ☆ Microscopy
• ☆ Light Microscopy
• ☆ Electron Microscopy
• ☆ Data Analysis
• ☆ Image Processing
• ☆ Data Exploration
• ☆ Data Collection
• ☆ Statistics
• ☆ Survey Design
• ☆ Study Design
• ☆ Trend Analysis
• ☆ Ecology
• ☆ Ecosystem Management
• ☆ Ecological Restoration
• ☆ Aquatic Ecology
• ☆ Conservation Genetics
• ☆ Biological Taxonomy/Classification
• ☆ Population Genetics
• ☆ Anatomy & Morphology
• ☆ Comparative Anatomy

Services

• Writing
• Research
• Consulting
• Data & AI

Writing Technical Writing, General Proofreading & Editing

Research Fact Checking, Scientific and Technical Research, Systematic Literature Review

Consulting Scientific and Technical Consulting

Data & AI Statistical Analysis, Data Mining, Data Processing

Work Experience

Senior Scientist

Kāhuli Strategy & Science

January 2026 - Present

Director of the Pacific Center for Molecular Biodiversity

Bishop Museum

January 2018 - January 2026

Director PCMB

Bishop Museum

2018 - January 2026

Assistant Professor of Invertebrate Biology

Howard University

August 2013 - May 2018

Assistant Professor

Howard University

2013 - 2018

Assistant Research Professor

University of Hawaii at Manoa

2010 - 2014

Education

Postdoctoral Fellow (Invertebrate Zoology)

Smithsonian Institution

March 2009 - May 2010

PhD Zoology (Zoology)

University of Hawaii at Manoa

2003 - 2009

MS Biology (Biology)

University of South Florida

2000 - 2003

BS Zoology (Biology)

University of South Florida

1997 - 1999

Certifications

• Education Mentor in the Life Sciences

  National Academies

  January 2014 - Present

Publications

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Tricia C. Goulding, Norine W. Yeung, John Slapcinsky, Ellen E. Strong, Jaynee R. Kim, Fred J. Brook, Kenneth A. Hayes(2023). Tiny Snails With Large Distributions: Systematics and Delimitation of the Pacific Land Snails Pacificella and Lamellidea (Stylommatophora: Achatinellidae: Pacificellinae) . Bulletin of the Society of Systematic Biologists. 2. (2). p. 1--42. The Ohio State University Libraries

Wallace M. Meyer III, Kenneth A. Hayes, Norine W. Yeung, Edward J. Crane III, Alexandra Turvey, Claire LeBlanc, Andre R. O. Cavalcanti (2023). The trail less traveled: Envisioning a new approach to identifying key food resources for threatened Hawaiian arboreal snails . Nature Conservation.

Hayes, K.A., Christensen, C.C., Kim, J.R., Maruno, T.M.B., Kishimoto, C.M., Matsunaga, J.N., Robinson, D.G., Yeung, N.W.(2023). New records of Otala lactea (Müller, 1774) and Zachrysia provisoria (Pfeiffer, 1858) in Hawaii: using collaborative networks to combat invasive sleeper populations . BioInvasions Records. 12. (2). p. 513-534.

Wallace M. Meyer, III, Lily M. Evans, Connor J.K. Kalahiki, John Slapcinsky, Tricia C. Goulding, David G. Robinson, D. Pomaikaʻi Kaniaupo-Crozier, Jaynee R. Kim, Kenneth A. Hayes, Norine W. Yeung(2022). Plants critical for Hawaiian land snail conservation: arboreal snail plant preferences in Puʻu Kukui Watershed, Maui . Oryx. 56. (1). p. 38--43. Cambridge University Press ({CUP})

Meyer, W.M., Evans, L.M., Kalahiki, C.J.K., Slapcinsky, J., Goulding, T.C., Robinson, D.G., Kaniaupo-Crozier, D.P., Kim, J.R., Hayes, K.A., Yeung, N.W.(2022). Plants critical for Hawaiian land snail conservation: Arboreal snail plant preferences in Pu'u Kukui Watershed, Maui . ORYX. 56. (1). p. 38-43.

Carl C. Christensen, Robert H. Cowie, Norine W. Yeung, Kenneth A. Hayes(2021). Biological Control of Pest Non-Marine Molluscs: A Pacific Perspective on Risks to Non-Target Organisms . Insects. 12. (7). p. 583. {MDPI} {AG}

Carl C. Christensen, Robert H. Cowie, Norine W. Yeung, Kenneth A. Hayes (2021). Biological Control of Pest Non-Marine Molluscs: A Pacific Perspective on Risks to Non-Target Organisms . Insects.

Carl C. Christensen, Kenneth A. Hayes, Norine W. Yeung(2021). Taxonomy, Conservation, and the Future of Native Aquatic Snails in the Hawaiian Islands . Diversity. 13. (5). p. 215. {MDPI} {AG}

Carl C. Christensen, Kenneth A. Hayes, Norine W. Yeung (2021). Taxonomy, Conservation, and the Future of Native Aquatic Snails in the Hawaiian Islands . Diversity.

Kenneth A. Hayes (2021). Taxonomic shortcuts lead to long delays in species discovery, delineation, and identification . Biological Invasions.

Hayes, K.A.(2021). Taxonomic shortcuts lead to long delays in species discovery, delineation, and identification . Biological Invasions. 23. (4). p. 1285-1292.

Gerlach, J., Barker, G.M., Bick, C.S., Bouchet, P., Brodie, G., Christensen, C.C., Collins, T., Coote, T., Cowie, R.H., Fiedler, G.C., et al.(2021). Negative impacts of invasive predators used as biological control agents against the pest snail Lissachatina fulica: the snail Euglandina ‘rosea’ and the flatworm Platydemus manokwari . Biological Invasions. 23. (4). p. 997-1031.

Christensen, C.C., Hayes, K.A., Yeung, N.W.(2021). Taxonomy, conservation, and the future of native aquatic snails in the hawaiian islands . Diversity. 13. (5).

Christensen, C.C., Cowie, R.H., Yeung, N.W., Hayes, K.A.(2021). Biological control of pest non-marine molluscs: A pacific perspective on risks to non-target organisms . Insects. 12. (7).

Norine W. Yeung, John Slapcinsky, Ellen E. Strong, Jaynee R. Kim, Kenneth A. Hayes (2020). Overlooked but not forgotten: the first new extant species of Hawaiian land snail described in 60 years, Auriculella gagneorum sp. nov. (Achatinellidae, Auriculellinae) . ZooKeys.

Yeung, N.W., Slapcinsky, J., Strong, E.E., Kim, J.R., Hayes, K.A.(2020). Overlooked but not forgotten: The first new extant species of hawaiian land snail described in 60 years, Auriculella gagneorum sp. nov. (achatinellidae, auriculellinae) . ZooKeys. 2020. (950). p. 1-31.

Glasheen, P.M., Burks, R.L., Campos, S.R., Hayes, K.A.(2020). First evidence of introgressive hybridization of apple snails (Pomacea spp.) in their native range . Journal of Molluscan Studies. 86. (2). p. 96-103.

Curry, P.A., Yeung, N.W., Hayes, K.A., Cowie, R.H.(2020). The potential tropical island distribution of a temperate invasive snail, Oxychilus alliarius, modeled on its distribution in Hawaii . Biological Invasions. 22. (2). p. 307-327.

Goulding, T.C., Strong, E.E., Hayes, K.A., Slapcinsky, J., Kim, J.R., Yeung, N.W.(2020). Type Specimens of Hawaiian Land Snails in the Paleontological Research Institution in Ithaca, New York . American Malacological Bulletin. 38. (1). p. 1-38.

Norine W. Yeung, Wallace M. Meyer, III, Kenneth A. Hayes, Jaynee R. Kim, Travis J. Skelton, Robert H. Cowie(2019). Non-native gastropods in high elevation horticultural facilities in Hawaii: a threat to native biodiversity . Biological Invasions. 21. (5). p. 1557--1566. Springer Science and Business Media {LLC}

Yeung, N.W., Meyer, W.M., Hayes, K.A., Kim, J.R., Skelton, T.J., Cowie, R.H.(2019). Non-native gastropods in high elevation horticultural facilities in Hawaii: a threat to native biodiversity . Biological Invasions. 21. (5). p. 1557-1566.

Yang, Q., Liu, S., He, C., Cowie, R.H., Yu, X., Hayes, K.A.(2019). Invisible apple snail invasions: importance of continued vigilance and rigorous taxonomic assessments . Pest Management Science. 75. (5). p. 1277-1286.

Kim, J.R., Wong, T.M., Curry, P.A., Yeung, N.W., Hayes, K.A., Cowie, R.H.(2019). Modelling the distribution in Hawaii of Angiostrongylus cantonensis (rat lungworm) in its gastropod hosts . Parasitology. 146. (1). p. 42-49.

Sun, J., Mu, H., Ip, J.C.H., Li, R., Xu, T., Accorsi, A., Alvarado, A.S., Ross, E., Lan, Y., Sun, Y., et al.(2019). Signatures of divergence, invasiveness, and terrestrialization revealed by four apple snail genomes . Molecular Biology and Evolution. 36. (7). p. 1507-1520.

Yeung, N.W., Hayes, K.A.(2018). Biodiversity and Extinction of Hawaiian Land Snails: How Many Are Left Now and What Must We Do To Conserve Them-A Reply to . Integrative and comparative biology. 58. (6). p. 1157-1169.

Glasheen, P.M., Calvo, C., Meerhoff, M., Hayes, K.A., Burks, R.L.(2017). Survival, recovery, and reproduction of apple snails (Pomacea spp.) following exposure to drought conditions . Freshwater Science. 36. (2). p. 316-324.

Meyer, W.M., Yeung, N.W., Slapcinsky, J., Hayes, K.A.(2017). Two for one: inadvertent introduction of Euglandina species during failed bio-control efforts in Hawaii . Biological Invasions. 19. (5). p. 1399-1405.

Cowie, R.H., Strong, E.E., Rosenberg, G., Hayes, K.A.(2017). Types of Ampullariidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda) in the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia . Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. 165. p. 175-194.

Cowie, R.H., Héros, V., Yeung, N.W., Hayes, K.A.(2016). Annotated catalogue of types of Hawaiian land and freshwater snails (Mollusca: Gastropoda) in the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris, with lectotype designations . Zoosystema. 38. (2). p. 245-266.

Cowie, R.H., Héros, V., Yeung, N.W., Hayes, K.A.(2016). Annotated catalogue of types of Hawaiian land and freshwater snails (Mollusca: Gastropoda) in the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris, with lectotype designations. Addendum: Lectotype designation for Lymnaea affinis Souleyet, 1852 . Zoosystema. 38. (3). p. 389-391.

Triantis, K.A., Rigal, F., Parent, C.E., Cameron, R.A.D., Lenzner, B., Parmakelis, A., Yeung, N.W., Alonso, M.R., Ibáñez, M., de Frias Martins, A.M., et al.(2016). Discordance between morphological and taxonomic diversity: land snails of oceanic archipelagos . Journal of Biogeography. 43. (10). p. 2050-2061.

Matsukura, K., Hayes, K.A., Cowie, R.H.(2016). Eleven microsatellite loci for two invasive freshwater apple snails, Pomacea canaliculata and P. maculata (Ampullariidae) . Biological Invasions. 18. (12). p. 3397-3400.

Kim, J.R., Hayes, K.A., Yeung, N.W., Cowie, R.H.(2016). Identity and distribution of introduced slugs (Veronicellidae) in the Hawaiian and Samoan Islands . Pacific Science. 70. (4). p. 477-493.

Curry, P.A., Yeung, N.W., Hayes, K.A., Meyer, W.M., Taylor, A.D., Cowie, R.H.(2016). Rapid range expansion of an invasive predatory snail, Oxychilus alliarius (Miller 1822), and its impact on endemic Hawaiian land snails . Biological Invasions. 18. (6). p. 1769-1780.

Régnier, C., Bouchet, P., Hayes, K.A., Yeung, N.W., Christensen, C.C., Chung, D.J.D., Fontaine, B., Cowie, R.H.(2015). Extinction in a hyperdiverse endemic Hawaiian land snail family and implications for the underestimation of invertebrate extinction . Conservation Biology. 29. (6). p. 1715-1723.

Kim, J.R., Hayes, K.A., Yeung, N.W., Cowie, R.H.(2014). Diverse gastropod hosts of Angiostrongylus cantonensis, the rat lungworm, Globally and with a focus on the Hawaiian Islands . PLoS ONE. 9. (5).

Meyer, W.M., Gary, D.T.A., Yeung, N.W., Dirks, C., Leung, K., Léon, J.A., Ressler, D.T.B., Curry, P.A., Hayes, K.A.(2014). Native arboreal land snails in the Mt Kaala Natural Area Reserve, Oahu, Hawaii, have similar plant preferences: Implications for conservation . Journal of Molluscan Studies. 80. (4). p. 469-472.

Yeung, N.W., Hayes, K.A., Cowie, R.H.(2013). Effects of washing produce contaminated with the snail and slug hosts of Angiostrongylus cantonensis with three common household solutions . Hawai'i journal of medicine & public health : a journal of Asia Pacific Medicine & Public Health. 72. (6 Suppl 2). p. 83-86.

Durkan, T.H., Yeung, N.W., Meyer III, W.M., Hayes, K.A., Cowie, R.H.(2013). Evaluating the efficacy of land snail survey techniques in Hawaii: Implications for conservation throughout the Pacific . Biodiversity and Conservation. 22. (13-14). p. 3223-3232.

Hayes, K.A., Cowie, R.H., Thiengo, S.C., Strong, E.E.(2012). Comparing apples with apples: Clarifying the identities of two highly invasive Neotropical Ampullariidae (Caenogastropoda) . Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 166. (4). p. 723-753.

Karl, S.A., Hayes, K.A.(2012). Extreme population subdivision in the crown conch (Melongena corona): Historical and contemporary influences . Journal of Heredity. 103. (4). p. 523-532.

Hayes, K.A., Cowie, R.H., Thiengo, S.C.(2009). A global phylogeny of apple snails: Gondwanan origin, generic relationships, and the influence of outgroup choice (Caenogastropoda: Ampullariidae) . Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 98. (1). p. 61-76.

Hayes, K.A., Cowie, R.H., Jorgensen, A., Schultheiß, R., Albrecht, C., Thiengo, S.C.(2009). Molluscan models in evolutionary biology: Apple snails (Gastropoda: Ampullariidae) as a system for addressing fundamental questions . American Malacological Bulletin. 27. (1-2). p. 47-58.

Hayes, K.A., Karl, S.A.(2009). Phylogenetic relationships of crown conchs (Melongena spp.): The corona complex simplified . Journal of Biogeography. 36. (1). p. 28-38.

Meyer III, W.M., Hayes, K.A., Meyer, A.L.(2008). Giant African snail, Achatina fulica, as a snail predator . American Malacological Bulletin. 24. (1-2). p. 117-119.

Hayes, K.A., Joshi, R.C., Thiengo, S.C., Cowie, R.H.(2008). Out of South America: Multiple origins of non-native apple snails in Asia . Diversity and Distributions. 14. (4). p. 701-712.

Cowie, R.H., Hayes, K.A., Tran, C.T., Meyer III, W.M.(2008). The horticultural industry as a vector of alien snails and slugs: Widespread invasions in Hawaii . International Journal of Pest Management. 54. (4). p. 267-276.

Rawlings, T.A., Hayes, K.A., Cowie, R.H., Collins, T.M.(2007). The identity, distribution, and impacts of non-native apple snails in the continental United States . BMC Evolutionary Biology. 7.

Hayes, K.A., Karl, S.A.(2004). Characterization of microsatellite markers from the gastropod genus Melongena . Molecular Ecology Notes. 4. (4). p. 755-757.

BOOK

Barbosa, K.P., Hayes, K.A., Vilela, R.D.V., Barbosa, H.S., Marchi, C.R., Thiengo, S.C.(2022). PHYLOGENETIC SYSTEMATICS AND DISTRIBUTION OF POMACEA SORDIDA (SWAINSON, 1823) AND POMACEA INTERMEDIA (FÉRUSSAC IN QUOY & GAIMARD, 1825) (CAENOGASTROPODA: AMPULLARIIDAE) . Malacologia. 65. (1-2). p. 1-23.

Hayes, K.A., Burks, R.L., Castro-Vazquez, A., Darby, P.C., Heras, H., Martín, P.R., Qiu, J.-W., Thiengo, S.C., Vega, I.A., Wada, T., et al.(2015). Insights from an integrated view of the biology of apple snails (caenogastropoda: Ampullariidae) . Malacologia. 58. (1-2). p. 245-302.

Tran, C.T., Hayes, K.A., Cowie, R.H.(2008). Lack of mitochondrial DNA diversity in invasive apple snails (Ampullariidae) in Hawaii . Malacologia. 50. (1-2). p. 351-357.

BOOK CHAPTER

Cowie, R.H., Hayes, K.A.(2012). Apple snails . A Handbook of Global Freshwater Invasive Species. p. 207-221.