KENNESAW, Ga. | Dec 1, 2025

MS Integrative Biology student Sydney Morton studies how urbanization affects the genetics of field mice.

Ever since she was little, Sydney Morton knew she wanted to work in a career that allowed her to work with animals. She began her professional journey during high school by shadowing veterinarians, and later, in her undergraduate studies, she became involved in research in an amphibian and reptile disease lab. “Working with sea turtles was a turning point for me,” said Sydney. “I saw firsthand the direct impacts and harm humans can have on wildlife, and because of this, I became more interested and passionate about how wildlife is being impacted by urbanization, other human activities, and climate change.”

When she decided to pursue a graduate degree, she looked for a university that had a program and lab that would allow her to explore human-wildlife interactions, particularly in relation to urbanization. “I chose KSU for a few different reasons,” she explained. “The biggest selling point was all of the cool research I saw coming out of the integrative biology (MSIB) program.” 

Now as a graduate student in the MSIB program at Kennesaw State, Sydney studies how urbanization affects the genetics of field mice. “I was really excited to work with Dr. Nicholas Green, due to his focus on the impacts of human activities on wildlife populations and his expertise in statistics, which is an area I wanted to gain experience in.” Sydney chose to study field mice because they are an abundant indicator species that can signify the quality of their environment, either good or bad. “As cities grow and natural habitats are replaced with buildings and roadways, wildlife may physically adapt to these changes in their environment. For example, some studies have found that urban mice have larger braincases as compared to rural mice. Their teeth or jaws might adapt in response to new food sources, like processed foods which are very different from their natural diet,” Sydney said. 

As urban areas sprawl, small mammal populations can become increasingly isolated due to barriers like roadways, buildings, and other human infrastructure. This isolation can reduce genetic diversity and make populations more susceptible to disease outbreaks. Researchers like Sydney are helping to identify where these isolated populations may exist and how urban features influence their movement and health. This information is useful for conservation planning especially in relation to designing wildlife corridors that promote habitat connectivity.

“The public health aspect becomes relevant because as natural habitats shrink, animals like mice may start appearing in backyards or even inside homes more often, increasing the chance of human-wildlife interactions,” she said. Since rodents can carry diseases, it’s critical to understand where and why they move into urban spaces, so risks to humans can be reduced. 

Studying wild animals in the context of human activity helps us understand how to protect and preserve natural systems, and ultimately, how to create a future where humans and wildlife can coexist. Sydney stresses that it’s more important than ever that we learn to coexist with wildlife in sustainable ways. “Our survival depends on it. Healthy ecosystems aren’t just a luxury, they are essential for clean air, water, food, and climate regulation that sustain human life.”

 -   By Tracy Gaudlip

-  Photos by Darnell Wilburn