Dr. Juan J. Villalba

Emphasis

My research focuses on understanding mechanisms influencing food selection and intake in herbivores, in order to create more efficient alternatives for managing animals and the landscapes they inhabit. My approach is fundamentally empirical using the hypothetical deductive method. I am interested in principles that underlie foraging behavior with the aim of obtaining reliable knowledge on the plant species, parts, and chemicals a herbivore selects while grazing, as well as why, how, and when specific foods are ingested. More recently, my research has focused on exploring the ability of herbivores to self-select natural plant products and other protective substances to recuperate from illness.