Dr. Phillips is a wildlife ecologist with a particular interest in dispersal of organisms across landscapes.  He holds a B.A. in Biology from Emory University and a M.S. and Ph.D. from Texas Tech University in Wildlife Science.  He has conducted research on wild turkeys, Mexican wolves, and montane rattlesnake. 

His current research with Wittenberg students involves Peromyscus species of mice, feral cats, and a captive reptile population.  His longer term research plans include investigations of metapopulation aspects of urban amphibian and reptile populations as well as dispersal in urban populations of gray squirrel. 

Dr. Phillips teaches courses in ecology, evolution, and wildlife management.  These classes incorporate a heavy field component and take advantage of Wittenberg study sites in Mississippi, Michigan, and Ohio.  His classes place a heavy emphasis on the rigor required for investigations of ecological phenomena and the application of reliable ecological knowledge in effective wildlife management.  He is involved in the Bahamas program and teaches a wildlife techniques class, both of which occupy his summers.  He first arrived at Wittenberg in 2009.