Rebecca McKee

Dr. Rebecca McKee serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology within Mercer University's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, joining the faculty in 2024 after completing doctoral studies at the University of Florida.

Her academic credentials include:

• Ph.D. in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation (University of Florida)
• M.S. in Wildlife Management (University of Georgia)
• Interdisciplinary Certificate in University Teaching (University of Georgia)
• B.A. in Environmental Studies (Davidson College)

Dr. McKee's research program centers on animal behavior and conservation ecology, with specialized focus on reptiles, amphibians, and mammals in Southeastern ecosystems. Her work addresses critical challenges including invasive species impacts (e.g., Burmese pythons in the Everglades), translocation strategies for threatened species like gopher tortoises, and bycatch reduction for diamondback terrapins. She integrates field studies with conservation physiology to assess species vulnerability and develop evidence-based management solutions.

Her publication record reveals consistent contributions to conservation science, with recent work examining prey naivete in native mammals, ecological resilience despite population declines, and physiological outcomes of wildlife translocations. These studies demonstrate methodological rigor across terrestrial and aquatic systems while advancing practical conservation applications.

Committed to academic development, Dr. McKee brings university teaching certification and environmental education outreach experience to her role, actively mentoring students in wildlife research methodologies and conservation practices.