UC Davis alumna and current Wildlife Biologist for ICF International (formerly, Jones & Stokes) Shannon Murphy plans to continue her education by pursuing a Ph.D. in studying behavioral ecology in relation to birds. Her passion for the welfare of captive parrots led her to do research in the UC Davis Avian Sciences Graduate Group. (Murphy is pictured here interacting with one her favorite birds, an Orange-Winged Amazon Parrot named Zilla.)

As a graduate student at UC Davis, Murphy’s research focused on the bathing and preening behavior of captive Orange-Winged Amazon parrots. “I chose UC Davis because it is one of the only schools (if not the only) in the country that have a captive parrot population available for behavior and welfare research.” Murphy’s education at UC Davis has been valuable to opening doors that may not have been opened otherwise. “Although my research focused on captive parrot behavior, my M.S. in Avian Sciences can lead to various careers related to avian science, working with either wild or captive birds.”

With a UC Davis education come resources both in and outside of the university and city. “I was awarded the Jastro Shields Research Award and the UC Davis and Humanities Graduate Research Fellowship, both of which contributed to supplies and equipment necessary to perform my research. Our lab (PI: James R. Millam) is also supported by The Winn Endowment for Parrot Research which provides substantial funding for parrot-related research,” says Murphy. As an out-of-state student, fees can be difficult to pay. “The UC Davis Graduate Program Fellowship provided the much needed out-of-state tuition during my first year as a student at UC Davis, before I became a California resident.”

Even on her days outside of her academic and work lives, her research interests are shown. She likes to go bird watching, go on birding trips, or find rare migratory birds that show up in the area. But that is not all she does. “On a day outside of the lab you might find me spending time with my friends, walking my dog or reading a good book,” Murphy says.

While doing research at UC Davis, Murphy became a more well-rounded person – gaining useful skills and lifelong friends along the way. “I have enjoyed my experience here at UC Davis so much that I hope to pursue a Ph.D. here, as well.”

Since completing her graduate degree from UC Davis... Murphy is a Research Ecologist at UC Davis.