Texas Tech University

Matthew Buchholz

Photo Description

Biography

I grew up in a distant suburb of Milwaukee in southeastern Wisconsin. I received my B.S. in Wildlife Ecology and Management from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point where I published my work on the parasites of ermine. Afterwards, I moved to Kentucky to complete my M.S. in Biology at Western Kentucky University. My thesis research was on the ecology of host-parasite associations in a rodent-ectoparasite system and the ecology of Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative bacteria for Lyme disease. My primary research interest is the ecology of diseases and parasites of wildlife that are critical to successful wildlife management. Specifically, I am interested in the factors that contribute to the transmission of pathogens through wildlife populations. At Tech my dissertation research is on the ecology of the diseases that may be afflicting free-ranging axis deer in Texas and how they may be affected by contact with white-tailed deer and other axis deer in high-fence operations. After receiving my Ph.D. my goal is to continue in academics and become a professor where I can conduct further research, as well as pass the knowledge that has been given to me throughout my career to the next generation of wildlife managers.

In what free time I can find I enjoy doing pretty much anything outdoors including hunting, hiking, camping, and fishing.