Zoie McMillian
Ph.D Student
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Zoie joined the Chaves lab in Fall 2022 as a PhD student. Zoie has always had a deep love for animals and a passion for learning about the various ways in which she can serve them. Zoie graduated Cum Laude from Virginia Tech in 2020 with a B.S. in Animal and Poultry Sciences. Zoie’s master’s degree studies at the University of Maryland were centered around poultry welfare. Her past research consisted of investigating whether broiler welfare on commercial farms in eastern Maryland could be improved by increasing air flow with industrial circulation fans. While she has a background in animal welfare and behavior, wildlife species have always fascinated her the most. Additionally, she has a specific interest in reptile conservation.
She is happy to come back to Virginia Tech and join the Chaves lab, where she will be researching social and ecological aspects of turtle conservation in Virginia along to better understand and prevent the illegal collection and trade of native turtles in North America. Her conservation interests include wildlife threatened by invasive species, contaminants, and climate change, as well as the wildlife trade. She loves outdoor activities, such as hiking and swimming, and she enjoys spending time with others who are also passionate about observing and serving wildlife.