Research - Wildlife Science

Increase and disseminate knowledge about wildlife species, populations, and communities and how they relate to ecosystem structure and functioning and respond to environmental changes.

Faculty:
Dr. Andrew DeWoody
Population genetics, molecular ecology and evolution

Dr. John Dunning
Response of wildlife populations to large-scale change, conservation biology, restoration ecology, conservation biology

Dr. ​Jason Hoverman
Herpetology, disease ecology, effect of multiple stressors on community​ dynamics

Dr. Liz Flaherty
Mammalian responses to habitat fragmentation, forest ecology, locomotion costs for arboreal and semi-arboreal mammals, stable isotope ecology, ecophysiology

Dr. Bryan Pijanowski
Land-use modeling & spatial ecology, ecological assessment, natural resource economic impact analysis

Dr. Maria Sepulveda
Ecotoxicology, development and application of molecular biomarkers of exposure and effects to environmental contaminants in vertebrate and invertebrate animal models

Dr. Rob Swihart
Disturbance ecology, effects of habitat fragmentation, spatial modeling of populations & communities

Dr. Rod Williams
Ecology and conservation of amphibians and reptiles, education and outreach, genetics

Dr. Patrick Zollner
Behavioral ecology of ecological landscapes, forest management in changing landscapes, animal movements

Areas of Specialization:

  • Quantitative Ecology
  • Wildlife Management
  • Restoration Ecology
  • Conservation Biology
  • Spatial Ecology
  • Fragmentation Ecology
  • Ecotoxicology
  • Wildlife Nutrition
  • Wildlife Physiology
  • Human Wildlife Interactions
  • Population Ecology
  • Community Ecology

Learn More About Our Research

View our nine research areas along with our world-class faculty.

Purdue centers seek to support and enhance the research and partnership enterprise at Purdue University. The centers are valued and encouraged at Purdue as they create a venue for faculty to come together to pursue common goals. Forestry and Natural Resources have faculty and staff involved in six centers here at the University.

The Department of Forestry and Natural Resources maintains an impressive collection of state-of-the-art research and education facilities. These labs, green houses, and educational facilities are a fundamental component that enables our faculty and students to learn, make new discoveries, and engage our clients in using these discoveries to sustain our nation’s ecosystems and natural resources.​

The mission of the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources is to develop and disseminate knowledge in the natural resource sciences associated with the protection, management, and sustainable use of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. One way the department accomplishes our mission is by owning and managing 24 properties located throughout the state to provide opportunities for research, extension, and education that achieves sustainable use of our natural resources.

See Our Wildlife Science Research Stories

Eastern hellbender salamanders feeding on bloodworms in their raceway at the Purdue Hellbender the Hellbender lab.
Metazoa Beer to Benefit Help the Hellbender Lab

Metazoa Brewing Company and the Indiana Lakes Management Society have teamed up to collaborate on...

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Brood X Cicadas
Researchers Investigate Effects of 2021 Cicada Emergence

When the 17-year cicada emergence event occurred in 2021, researchers wondered how this sudden...

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Bird being held and forests banner
Virtual Tour Brings Forest Management for the Birds to Life

How does forest management affect wildlife, specifically birds? Which birds prefer which types of...

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Three deer cross a field in a line as captured on a trail cam
Researchers Study Deer-Vehicle Collision Reduction Method

It is in the vested interest of both humans and wildlife to reduce potential traffic collisions....

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FNR Outstanding Freshman Lydia Pultorak holds a Northern Saw-Whet Owl, Lydia measures a bird while bird banding, Lydia uses a pair of binoculars while birding
Meet FNR Outstanding Freshman Lydia Pultorak

Lydia Pultorak, a first-year wildlife major and forest ecosystems minor, has made her presence...

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Trail cameras monitor deer impact on woodlands. (Integrated Deer Management Project, Purdue University photo)
Deer Impact Toolbox Provides Guidance for Indiana Forest Landowners and Managers

In collaboration with The Nature Conservancy, Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR)...

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