Assistant Professor of Wildlife Habitat Management Dr. Jorge’s research focuses on wildlife management, particularly the impacts of habitat management on game species populations and the effects of disease on wildlife. He employs both passive and active sampling techniques to study how diseases influence wildlife behavior and population dynamics, with the goal of informing effective management strategies. Born in São Paulo, Brazil, and raised across the Eastern United States, Dr. Jorge previously worked at several American Zoological Association-accredited institutions as an animal keeper and trainer. He earned a Master of Science in Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences from Virginia Tech, where his thesis explored the effects of fire on wildlife communities in North Florida. He completed his Ph.D. in Wildlife Sciences at the University of Georgia, with a dissertation that examined the impact of chronic wasting disease on white-tailed deer populations in northwest Arkansas. Dr. Jorge's research interests include wildlife habitat management, wildlife disease, and predator-prey interactions, which he investigates through an applied science framework to support land managers and stakeholders. Awards, Honors and Recognitions: E. L. Cheatum Award, University of Georgia, 2025 3rd place, Outstanding Oral Presentation Award, Southeast Deer Study Group, 2025 2nd place, Outstanding Oral Presentation Award, Southeast Deer Study Group, 2023 Maher/Zouhary Undergrad Research Award, Miami University, 2012 Education Education: Ph.D., Wildlife, University of Georgia, 2025 M.S., Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, 2019 B.S., Zoology, Miami University, 2012 B.A. Psychology, Miami University, 2012 Research Selected Publications: Castello, L., Sorice M., Martins E.G., Almeida, M., Bastos, G.C.C., Cardoso, L.G., Clauzet, M., Dopona, A.P., Ferreria, B., Haimovici, M., Jorge, M. H., Mendoca, J., Avila-da-Silva, A.O., Roman, A.P.O., Ramires, M., Smith, E., Villwock, L.M., and Lopes P. F. M. 2024. Local knowledge reconstructs historical resource use. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. Jorge, M.H., Garrison, E.P., Conner, L.M. and Cherry, M.J. 2022. Avian species richness in a frequently burned ecosystem: a link between pyrodiversity and biodiversity, Landscape Ecology. 37(4), 983-996. Jorge M.H., Ford W.M., Sweeten S.E., Freeze S.R., True M.C., and St. Germain M.J. 2021. Winter roost selection of Lasiurine tree bats in a pyric landscape. PLoSONE16(2): e0245695. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0245695. Jorge, M.H., Sweeten, S.E., True, M.C., and Ford W.M. 2021. Fire, land cover, and temperature drivers of bat activity in winter. Fire ecology. 17:19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42408-021-00105-4. Jorge, M. H., Garrison, E. P., Conner, L. M., and Cherry, M. J. 2020. Fire and land cover drive predator abundances in a pyric landscape. Forest Ecology and Management, 461, 117939. Technical Reports Diggins, C.A., Jorge, M.H., Cherry, M.J, W.M. Ford. 2020. Seasonal and Spatial Pre- White-nose Syndrome Bat Distribution Surveys at Capitol Reef National Park, National Park Service Task Agreement P18AC00724 Final Report May 2020 Diggins, C.A., Jorge, M.H., Cherry, M.J, W.M. Ford. 2020. Pre-White-nose Syndrome Bat Distribution on Northeastern Arizona National Park Service Lands, National Park Service Task Agreement P18AC00769 Final Report May 2020 Jorge, M.H., Cherry, M.J. 2019. Linking Wildlife Communities to Fire and Forest Management, Final Report to Camp Blanding Joint Training Center, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission Proposal No. 16212. Labs/Centers/Committee: Outreach Faculty Deer Lab Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study Area of Specialty: Wildlife Ecology and Management Game Management Wildlife and Forest Management Wildlife Disease Wildlife Population Dynamics
