Dr. Amanda “Mandy” Murray

Dr. Amanda "Mandy" Murray was appointed Acting State Veterinarian in December 2025. She has been with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) - Animal Health Branch (AHB) since 2017. Dr. Murray joined the AHB as a supervisor overseeing the Animal Disease Traceability and Secure Food Supply Programs. She became the Assistant Branch Chief in 2021, overseeing the state animal health policy programs, and became the Branch Chief in 2023. Dr. Murray received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine, Master's of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, and Ph.D. in Comparative Pathology from UC Davis, Weill School of Veterinary Medicine. She served as a Science Policy Fellow under the California Council for Science and Technology and spent a year working in the California Legislature in the Committee for Water, Parks, and Wildlife. Before joining CDFA, Dr. Murray worked at the UC Davis, Weill School of Veterinary Medicine, Western Institute for Food Safety and Security as a program manager overseeing several projects with the FDA, USDA, and Department of Homeland Security, focusing on Food Safety and Animals in Disasters. Dr. Murray has a passion for all aspects of California's animal agriculture. Throughout her career, she has focused on balancing science with practical solutions to tough problems.