Syrlia Shenn-McFerran was a Joined Trill of four lives, wife of Cara McFerran, officer in Starfleet and former Fleet Officer of the Alpha Centauri Institute. While assigned to the Insititute, Shenn commanded the USS Valley Forge, NX-91790-B.
Syrlia won acco
Syrlia Shenn-McFerran in the gymnasium aboard the USS Valley Forge.
lades at the Trill Science Ministry prior to joining with Shenn. She was also a servant of the Caves of Mak'ala and record keeper for the Symbiosis Commission. In Starfleet Academy she majored in Xenolinguistics and mastered Starship Tactical Theory. With both Starfleet and Trill approval, Syrlia Shenn still works as a Field Docent for the TSC, looking for candidates within Starfleet who would qualify for the joining. She has one sister, Nyssa, who also joined Starfleet as an Occupational Hazard Counselor at Starbase 39.
During her time with the ACI, Syrlia served as Provost and helped see the ACI through some of its most difficult missions (see History: Season 1 and Season 2, episode 1 and 2). Shenn was instrumental in first contact with the Sarniri, the rescue of Dell Stolliker, and the unmasking of Grom as the head of Section 31.
Syrlia is the fourth host of the symbiont, Shenn. She is the first female host for Shenn. Her previous hosts were: Jerica, born when the Cardassians annexed Bajor in 2328. Jerica was a classical musician and song writer who was host to the symbiont from 2361 to 2404. Flanlon, a gifted young scientist specializing in artificial singularity studies, died in a freak accident at the age of 28 after hosting the symbiont for only a year, from 2360 to 2361. The next host, Cardis, left his post aboard USS Excelsior as 3rd Engineer (when Capt. Sulu received his commission) in order to be joined and was host from 2290 to 2360.
Academic History and Distinctions:
Trill Science Ministry - Master of Linguistics & Xeno-Culture Interfacing (Life Sciences Department); 1st Grade Attendant, Caves of Mak'ala; TSC (Trill Symbiosis Commission Ambassador Status Certification); Starfleet Academy: Combined study - Xenolinguistics and Starship Tactical Theory. Graduated 13th in her Academy Class.
Service Record:
Original Starfleet career began in 2290 with Lt. Cardis Shenn. Cardis served as 3rd Master of Engineering aboard the USS Excelsior and departed just prior to Captain Sulu's appointment there (something he regretted though it allowed him to be joined with Shenn). Her current service record has been classed as 'exceptional without being distinctive' (per Captain Novak, USS Isle de France, her former commanding officer where Syrlia Shenn served as first officer). According to Novak, "Shenn performed admirably and rarely failed at any task large or small. I only say she wasn't 'distinctive' because she was only just beyond my expectations of her, not well beyond." His report concluded: "I'd have her back as my XO any time." Awards while in Starfleet: Combat Cross, Combat Readiness Ribbon, Award of Science Merit, Nebula Cross, Federation Ribbon, and three certificates of meritorious service (two by Captain Novak, one by Commodore Race).