Joanna Wu

I am an ornithologist and ecologist interested in the biology and conservation of female birds. I am a PhD Candidate working with Morgan Tingley at UCLA's Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology. I am interested in knowledge gaps caused by overlooking female birds.

My research interests are:

1. Modeling survival differences in female and male birds

2. Examining sex-specific habitat use by birds

3. Identifying sex biases in scientific studies

4. Exploring if anthropogenic and climate change affect the sexes of birds differently

I am deeply committed to amplifying underrepresented voices — human and avian alike — and shedding light on the often-overlooked world of female birds. As a member of the Galbatross Project — a collective of scientists, birders, writers, and conservationists — I work alongside others dedicated to bringing female birds the recognition they deserve.

I will graduate in December 2026 and am currently looking for post-doctoral opportunities! Please reach out to me if you would like to talk more or collaborate on applying for funding!