Mark Mills

Dr. Mark Mills is a Professor in the Biology Department at Missouri Western State University, where he has been employed since 2008. Based in Agenstein Hall 237E, he can be contacted at mmills3@missouriwestern.edu or (816) 271-4384.

His academic credentials include:

• Ph.D. in Ecology from the University of Georgia
• M.A. in Biology from the University of Nebraska at Omaha
• B.S. in Biology from the University of Nebraska at Omaha

Dr. Mills conducts extensive field-based research focusing on herpetology and aquatic ecosystems, with major projects including long-term turtle population studies across nine campus ponds and Otoe Creek (documenting 220 turtles of 5 native/3 non-native species since 2008), radio-tracking endangered Blanding's turtles at Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge since 2012, and freshwater biodiversity surveys using molecular tools. His work integrates spatial ecology, wetland conservation, and prairie habitat assessment across the 34-acre John Rushin Teaching and Research Prairie.

As Faculty Cosponsor for Beta Beta Beta Biological Honors Society, he mentors undergraduate researchers in challenging field conditions, requiring foundational coursework like Ecology (BIO 225). His collaborative projects involve faculty from multiple disciplines including Drs. Elias, Ganong, Grantham, and Drake.

Dr. Mills' research operations center on campus ponds, Otoe Creek, and Loess Bluffs wetlands, emphasizing hands-on student training in GPS/GIS applications and data analysis of complex ecological systems.