Antonio Rodriguez

Antonio Rodriguez

Antonio Rodriguez
antonio.rodriguez@nih.gov">Email Antonio Rodriguez

Power Words

Power Words: Spanish: 
Superar, Sacrificio, Gratificado
Power Words: English: 
Overcome, Rewarding, Sacrifice

Where were you born? 

Puerto Rico

What school did you attend? 

University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, Engineering School

What gained you interest in the NIH? 

Mainly the mission, but also an opportunity to lead a group focused on improving the quality and overall performance of most of the areas responsible for providing the central services to the NIH.

What kind of work do you do at the NIH? 

I work with a very diverse group of professionals from scientists to blue collar professionals. Together we provide a wide array of services such as animal surgeries, research laboratories, safety protocols, security, laboratory equipment and maintenance services, library services, emergency response, and food services. I lead a group of industrial/systems engineers and an industrial psychologist with the aim to guide them towards more efficient and effective practices through planning, implementation, assessment, and guidance. We use very cool and advanced tools that include simulation and modeling software where you can show in the computer what happens in real life scenarios. For example, you can see in the computer screen an animation of how an evacuation of the Bethesda campus would unfold. People leaving the buildings and either leaving the campus as pedestrian or accessing their vehicles in parking garages and later driving out of the campus. Because of our leadership in the field we are routinely asked to present in colleges, universities, and international conferences. We add a lot of value and have a lot of fun while helping the NIH improve the health and well being of many people throughout the world.

What message would you like to send to young Hispanics who are considering going to college? 

My education helped me overcome lack of financial resources and gave me hope, pride, and direction to face a tough and limited job market. It is not easy to study with very limited resources, especially when you see the advantage that others with resources enjoy. However, it is very rewarding when you can help your family and when you achieve great accomplishments and help the whole society through your work. Four to twelve years of sacrifice for thirty or more years of enjoyment is a great deal. The alternative is not even worth considering. I hope to see you soon as a member of the NIH team! Go for it!