The Mueller lab in Biological Sciences at CSUSM explores concepts in comparative developmental physiology, with a focus on phenotypic plasticity and physiological critical windows during development. We are fascinated by how physiological systems develop, interact and respond to the environment, and how developmental physiology influences animals later in life. We work with a range of organisms, with a focus on invertebrates, fishes, and amphibians, to investigate energy use and respiratory and cardiovascular function under different environmental conditions across development. Our research aims to provide a fundamental understanding of developmental physiology while also investigating how developing animals may be impacted by environmental changes.