OUR RESEARCH

Anthropogenic stressors (e.g., climate change, habitat fragmentation, and pollution) are causing the first human-caused mass extinction event and widespread destruction of ecosystems across the globe. But we can reverse the damage caused by anthropogenic stressors by taking action through research and conservation management. Therefore, our research focuses on understanding the effects of anthropogenic stressors on adaptive life history and behavioral strategies that impact individual and population level fitness. In addition, we study and develop conservation management strategies to mitigate the impacts of these anthropogenic stressors on wildlife and the environment.

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Our philosophy is to conduct collaborative, interdisciplinary research in both the field and laboratory that will have direct implications for improving environmental quality and the conservation of species of concern and their natural habitat.

Lab news

2025
  • Great job to the wildlife and fisheries students for organizing a successful event at the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Spring Fest!
  • Great job to Holly Keating and Nolan Burdett who presented their research at the Eastern Illinois 18th Annual Student Research and Creative Activity Conference!
  • Welcome new undergraduate students Mikaila Ek and Isabella-Rose Gonzlalez to the team!
  • Great job to Nolan Burdett, Holly Keating, and Izabella Sheppard at the Illinois Chapter of The Wildlife Society Annual Conference!
  • Holly Keating received the Illinois Chapter of The Wildlife Society Travel Award! Great job Holly!
  • Holly Keating received the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Research and Creative Activity Grant! Great job Holly!
  • Nolan Burdett received the EIU Williams Travel Grant! Great job Nolan!
  • In collaboration with Drs. Misty McPhee, Rachel Chock, Bruce Schulte and Julie Young, we submitted our manuscript entitled "Leveraging behavior can improve translocation success in the face of anthropogenic stressors"! 
  • Welcome new undergraduate student, Jae Lynn Riggleman, to the team!

For more news on our team, see the Lab News site!

Contact

For more information, contact Dr. Elizabeth Peterson (Principal Investigator) at [email protected].