Dr. Lisa Muller's Research Program

Dr. Muller’s research program emphasizes management and ecology of white-tailed deer and elk,
deer damage management, wildlife physiology and nutrition, and conservation of non-game mammals.
Global positioning system (GPS) tracking methods, remote sensing, genetic markers, and physiological
indicators of animal health are important tools for these studies.  Understanding the interactions of
biology, behavior, movements, and population genetics increases our ability to manage wildlife proactively.
For example, reproductive indicators can provide an 'early warning' that limiting factors are putting
pressure on wild populations - thereby allowing managers to respond before poor health
or reduced population growth become evident in the population.

Current projects include:

- Social structure of female deer in agricultural landscapes during crop production.

- Female white-tailed deer movements during the rut.

- Population viability analysis for reintroduced populations: implications for directing limited resources.

- Effects of genetic structure on social groupings within reintroduced elk populations.

- Allegheny woodrat occupancy in the Cumberland Mountains of Tennessee.