After Humboldt, Stephanie went on to work for US Forest Service.

  For her thesis, Stephanie examined how fire severity affects patterns of California spotted owl (Strix occidentalis occidentalis) habitat use in Yosemite National Park. She used radio telemetry to monitor a population of spotted owls inhabiting recently burned forests (<15 years) to document nocturnal foraging locations. She conducted a habitat analysis to help determine owl response to a range of fire severities.