Dr. Mark Mills, Professor
(816) 271-4384 | mmills3@missouriwestern.edu
Dr. Mark Mills has been at MWSU since 2008. His research interests include herpetology, vertebrate ecology, aquatic ecology, and ichthyology. He is also the Faculty Cosponsor for Beta Beta Beta Biological Honors Society.
Distribution and Abundance of Burrowing Crayfish at Loess Bluffs NWR
Requirements: Students must be willing to work in potentially challenging (swampy) field conditions at Loess Bluffs. GIS/GPS experience preferred but not required.
From Viruses to Vertebrates: A Freshwater Biodiversity Survey
This research will use traditional and molecular tools to sample and categorize the biological entities in the freshwater environments that occur on the Missouri Western State campus. Students that work on this project will gain lab and field experience as well as experience working with large, complicated sets of data.
This project is a collaborative effort between the labs of Dr. Elias, Dr. Ganong, Dr. Grantham, Dr. Mills, and Dr. Drake.
Requirements: Successful completion of at least one Biology course.
Spatial Ecology of the State-Endangered Blanding’s Turtle
Since 2012, MWSU undergraduate research students have been radio-tracking Blanding’s turtles in over 3500 acres of wetlands at Loess Bluffs (formerly Squaw Creek) National Wildlife Refuge.
The main goals of this study are to document habitat use and movement patterns of this state-endangered turtle, especially as it related to management of the refuge wetlands.
Requirements: Students should have completed Ecology (BIO 225) and have interests in field biology, ecology, conservation, or wildlife management.
Population Ecology of Freshwater Turtles on the MWSU campus
A long term study, beginning in 2008, of the turtles in the 9 campus ponds and Otoe Creek on the MWSU campus. In 11 years, 220 turtles have been captured and marked, including 5 native species and 3 non-native species. The turtles have been documented moving among the campus ponds, with 30 turtles moving between ponds at least once, covering distances up to 1500m.
Requirements: Students should have completed Ecology (BIO 225) and have interests in field biology, ecology, conservation, or wildlife management.
Biological Survey of the John Rushin Teaching and Research Prairie
One of the assets of the biology department at Missouri Western is the campus prairie, located just outside the campus. Encompassing 34 acres of unique prairie habitat, this area is a treasure trove for both the campus community, as well as botanists and nature lovers outside the campus. It provides a unique research opportunity. The initial goal of this project starts with the involvement of student researchers performing surveys of the plant communities present in this unique habitat.
Requirements: A grade of C or better in BIO105, BIO 225 preferred.
Survey of the plankton in the Missouri Western ponds
Requirements: A grade of C or better in BIO105, BIO 225 preferred.
About Dr. Mark Mills
Ph.D., Ecology, University of Georgia
M.A., Biology, University of Nebraska at Omaha
B.S., Biology, University of Nebraska at Omaha
Contact Dr. Mills
Agenstein 237E
4525 Downs Drive
Saint Joseph, MO 64507
USA