San Marcos,
19
July
2017
|
16:38 PM
America/Los_Angeles

Unlocking the Secrets of Developmental Physiology

By David Ogul

“Cal State San Marcos is providing a center for learning and discovery in North San Diego County while strongly serving the region.”

-- Dr. Casey Mueller

Dr. Casey Mueller has been intrigued with animals since she was a little girl growing up on a farm stocked with sheep and cattle in Australia. After being the first generation of her family to attend college, Mueller is now an assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Cal State San Marcos, where her lab explores concepts in developmental physiology with a focus on environmental changes.

Since arriving at CSUSM two years ago, Mueller has provided research opportunities for five undergraduate students, organized symposia on developmental physiology, and been invited to conferences throughout the country and Europe.

“I am fascinated by how physiological systems develop and respond to the environment, and how developmental physiology influences animals later in life,” she said.

Mueller studies local species of frogs and fish.

“We are the first lab to study developmental physiology of the relatively abundant Baja California chorus frog,” she said. “Our research will help to understand how this frog continues to be successful, while so many other species of amphibians are in worldwide decline.”

Mueller moved to CSUSM in the fall of 2015 to teach physiology after earning her Ph.D. at the University of Adelaide, Australia, and completing postdoctoral work at the University of North Texas and McMaster University in Canada. She couldn’t be happier.

“CSUSM is providing a center for learning and discovery in North San Diego County,” she said. “Most of the students are local, and for dedicated students, CSUSM can serve as a platform to go on to even greater things. Helping them in this process, is very rewarding.”