MELANIE A. MURPHY
School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, PO Box 664236, Pullman WA, 99164-4236
Phone: (509)335-8015 FAX: (509)335-3184 e-mail: mamurphy@wsu.edu
EDUCATION
2008
Ph.D. Zoology, Washington State University, Pullman Wa 99164 (Anticipated graduation date)
2001
M.S. Wildlife Resources, University of Idaho, Moscow, Id 83844
Thesis: Non-invasive genetic sampling of the brown bear (Ursus arctos) using fecal samples:
method optimization for application in the Glacier National Park ecosystem
1998
B.S. Wildlife Resources, University of Idaho, Moscow, Id 83843 (Honors Program)
Extensive Advanced Coursework in the following areas:
Ecology, GIS/Remote Sensing, Molecular Ecology/Genetics, Conservation Biology, Statistics, Wildlife, Biology,
CURRENT RESEARCH INTERESTS
Current research interests are in the integration of conservation biology, population genetics, and landscape ecology
to develop of robust spatial analysis techniques for analyzing gene flow and movement data. I am also interested in
using genetic markers as a tool to understand breeding systems and dispersal ability in specifically in anurans.
HONORS, AWARDS AND GRANTS
2006
2006
2005
2005
2005
2005
2005
2005
2004-2005
2004
2004
2004
2004
2004
2004
2003-2005
2001
1998
1998
1997
NSF – Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant
Society for Conservation Biology travel grant
Canon National Parks Science Scholars Program: Honorable Mention
Graduate Women in Science, SDE fellowship
Society for Wetland Sciences, student research award
American Museum of Natural History: Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Grant
Palouse Behavior, Ecology, and Evolution Research Symposium: Best Presentation
NASA-MSU Professional Enhancement Award
W-ELCA Cronk Opportunity Scholarship
Society for Wetland Sciences, student research award
James R. King Award in Zoology, Washington State University
Sigma-Xi grant in aid of research
Society for Conservation Biology travel grant
Society for Conservation Biology, student award candidate
Wiley Exposition finalist
Washington State University Zoology Alumni Scholarship
13th International Conference on Bear Research and Management: Best Paper (Co-author)
Forestry honor society, University of Idaho chapter
The Wildlife Society Western Student Conclave, UI knowledge bowl team 2nd place
Alpha Zeta honor society, University of Idaho chapter
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
1999-present
2004-present
2004-present
2004-present
2005-present
2005-present
1995-1998
SERVICE
2004-present
2005; 2006
2005
2001
Society for Conservation Biology
Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles
United States Regional Association of the International Association for Landscape Ecology
Sigma Delta Epsilon: Graduate Women in Science
Society for Northwestern Vertebrate Biology
Northwest Scientific Association
The Wildlife Society, University of Idaho student chapter
Graduate student representative at faculty meetings, School of Biological Sciences
Elementary science fair evaluator, Moscow Idaho school district
Ad hoc reviewer: Ecology, Conservation Genetics, Western North American Naturalist, Amphibian
and Reptile Conservation
Palouse Science Camp invited educator: Application of Genetics in Bear Conservation (5th grade)
RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE
Teaching Assistant General Genetics Washington State University(1/06-5/06)
Duties: Teach multiple recitation sections/week, write/grade quizzes, office hrs/review
Instructor Animal Natural History Washington State University (Summer 2005, co-taught Fall 2005)
Duties: Design syllabus and assignments, develop curriculum, give lectures, assign grades
Teaching Assistant General Biology /Animal Natural History Washington State University (8/03-5/05)
Duties: Biology: Teach multiple laboratory sections/week, introductory lecture, write/grade quizzes, assist students
with lab experiments, hold office hrs/review. Animal Natural History: Attend lectures, give 20% of the lectures, write
exams, grade papers, hold office hours
Research Technician Waits lab University of Idaho (5/01-10/03)
Duties: Fecal DNA extraction/analysis, PCR, microsatellite analysis (ABI system), data analysis/management,
sequencing, lab management, conducting independent research, undergraduate training/mentoring, train visiting
scientists/technicians/graduate students, trouble shooting, laboratory tours for variety of audiences
Graduate Research Assistant University of Idaho (8/98-5/01)
Duties: Fecal DNA extraction/analysis, PCR, microsatellite analysis (ABI system), data analysis/management,
conducting independent research, training lab personnel/undergraduates
Instructor Wildlife Ecology Lab University of Idaho (8/00-12/00)
Duties: Designed syllabus/lab exercises, introduced lab exercises, developed weekly assignments, organized
materials, held offices hours, conducted review sessions, constructed quizzes/exams, grading
Lab technician Waits lab University of Idaho (5/98-8/98)
Duties: Fecal DNA extraction/analysis, PCR, microsatellite optimization, extraction method development, data entry
Field technician Turnstone Ecological Associates (5/97-8/97)
Duties: Operate mist nets, extracting/identifying birds, collecting MAPS/habitat data, GIS support
Intern Constructed Wetlands as Wildlife Habitat Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute (5/96-11/96)
Duties: Select vegetation for site, design landscape, organize/train volunteers, plant vegetation
Park Aide Idaho Parks and Recreation: Ponderosa State Park (5/95-8/95)
Duties: Environmental education (ages 6 - 12), developing and leading activities, handling educational animals
PUBLICATIONS AND CONFERENCES
Peer Reviewed Publications
Murphy M, Waits L, Kendall K (2003) The influence of diet on faecal DNA amplification and sex identification in
brown bears (Ursus arctos) . Molecular Ecology ,12, 2261-22165
Murphy M, Kendall K, Wasser S, Higbee J, Bogden R, Waits L (2002) An evaluation of long-term preservation
methods for brown bear (Ursus arctos). Conservation Genetics, 3, 435-440
Murphy M, Waits L, Kendall K (2000) Quantitative evaluation of drying methods for brown bear fecal samples.
Wildlife Society Bulletin, 28, 951-957.
Murphy M, Kendall K, Perugini C, Robinson A, Wasser S, Waits L (in prep) Collect faeces while the sun shines:
impact of time and weather conditions on brown bear faecal DNA. Conservation Genetics
Murphy M, Evans J, Storfer A (submitted) Evaluation of a novel approach for representing “populations” as
continuous surfaces in landscape genetics Molecular Ecology
Storfer A, Murphy M, Evans J, Goldberg C, Robinson S, Spear S, Dezzani R, Delmelle E, Vierling L, Waits L
(submitted) Putting the landscape in landscape genetics Heredity Invited review
Other Publications
Waits L, Roon D, Murphy M (1999) Non-invasive genetic sampling of bear populations. International Bear News, 8,
23-25.
Professional Presentations
Murphy M, Evans J, Storfer A (2006) Landscape genetics with continuous "populations": evaluation of a novel spatial
analysis technique for modeling genetic patterns. The Wildlife Society Anchorage, AK Invited Speaker
Murphy M, Evans J, Peterson C, Storfer A (2006) Where can I go to find amphibians? Explaining amphibian
occurrence in Yellowstone National Park using topographically derived landscape variables Society for
Conservation Biology San Jose, Ca.
Murphy M, Evans J, Peterson C, Storfer A (2006) Where can I go to find amphibians? Explaining amphibian
occurrence in Yellowstone National Park using topographically derived landscape variables Palouse
Behavior, Ecology, and Evolution Research Symposium Pullman, WA
Murphy M, Evans J, Storfer A (2005) Landscape genetics: evaluation of a spatial analysis technique for modeling
genetic patterns. Palouse Behavior, Ecology, and Evolution Research Symposium Moscow, ID
Best presentation award
Murphy M, Evans J, Storfer A (2005) Landscape genetics: evaluation of a spatial analysis technique for modeling
genetic patterns. Willey Exposition Pullman, WA
Murphy M, Evans J, Storfer A (2005) Implementing landscape genetics: evaluation of a novel spatial analysis
technique for modeling genetic patterns. Landscape Ecology, Syracuse, NY
Murphy M, Evans J (2004) Landscape genetics: simulating multi-locus genetic data to assess a novel spatial
analysis technique for testing spatial patterns. Society for Conservation Biology, New York, NY
Student award candidate
Murphy M, Evans J (2004) Landscape genetics: simulating multi-locus genetic data to assess a novel spatial
analysis technique for testing spatial patterns. Wiley Exposition, Pullman, WA
Murphy M, Zager P, Monfort S, Muth A, Waits L (2003) Development of a non-invasive method for determining sex
ratio and pregnancy rate in an Idaho elk herd. Society for Conservation Biology, Duluth, MN.
Muth A, Murphy M, Zager P, Monfort S, Waits L (2003) Development of a non-invasive method for determining sex
ratio and pregnancy rate in an Idaho elk herd. Idaho Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Bosie,ID.
Murphy M, Waits L, Kendall K (2001) Brown bear fecal DNA analysis: technique optimizations and application in
Glacier National Park. 13th International Conference on Bear Research and Management, Jacksonhole,
WY.
Kendall K, Waits L, Roon D, Murphy M, Stetz J (2001) Biases associated with sampling bears with hair traps, rub
trees and scat surveys. 13th International Conference on Bear Research and Management, Jacksonhole,
WY.
Waits L, Kendall K, Murphy M, Roon D, Adams J (2000) Non-invasive sampling: promises and pitfalls. Carnivores
2000, Denver, CO.
Kendall K, Waits L, Roon D, Murphy M, Peterson K (2000) Grizzly bear population status in northwestern Montana.
Society for Conservation Biology, Missoula, MT.
Murphy M, Waits L, Kendall K (2000) Impact of diet and field conditions on PCR amplification success for brown bear
fecal DNA samples. Society for Conservation Biology, Missoula, MT.
Murphy M, Waits L, Kendall K (2000) Diet and temporal impacts on PCR amplification success in brown bear fecal
DNA samples. Western Black Bear meeting, Coos bay OR.
Murphy M, Waits L, Kendall K (2000) The importance of diet and time in the field for successful amplification of brown
bear fecal DNA samples. Northwest Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Post Falls, ID.
Kendall K, Waits L, Roon D, Murphy M, Peterson K (2000) Use of DNA to monitor grizzly bear population status.
Northwest Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Post Falls, ID.
Waits L, Kendall K, Murphy M, Roon D (2000) Non-invasive genetic sampling of wildlife populations: promises and
pitfalls. Northwest Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Post Falls, ID.
Murphy M, Waits L, Kendall K (1999) A quantitative evaluation of brown bear fecal DNA preservation methods. The
Wildlife Society, Austin, TX.
Murphy M, Waits L, Kendall K (1999) A quantitative evaluation of methods for preserving DNA in brown bear fecal
samples. Ecological Society of America, Spokane, WA.
Murphy M, Waits L, Kendall K (1999) A quantitative evaluation of methods for preserving DNA in brown bear fecal
samples. Society for Conservation Biology, College Park, Maryland.
Waits L, Kendall K, Murphy M, Roon D (1999) Non-invasive genetic sampling: promises and pitfalls. Species at
Risk, Kamloops, BC, Canada.
Murphy M (1997) Constructed wetlands as wildlife habitat. The Wildlife Society Student Conclave, Tucson AZ.
Invited Seminars and Talks
2004
2004
2003-04
2003-04
2002
Reptiles of the World, Ungulates and Friends, Habitats of the PNW (WSU Animal Natural History)
Landscape genetics: simulating multi-locus genetic data to assess a novel spatial analysis
technique for testing spatial patterns. (USDA-FS Forest Sciences Laboratory, Moscow ID)
Bats and Other Creatures of the Night (WSU Animal Natural History)
Bears of the World (WSU Animal Natural History)
Introduction to Conservation Genetics (for USDA Forest Service workshop: Conservation Genetics
for Wildlife Mangers, Spokane WA)
2001
2001
2001
1999-01
Introduction to Conservation Genetics (for University of Idaho workshop: Conservation Genetics for
Wildlife Professionals, Moscow ID)
Introduction to Conservation Genetics (for USDA Forest Service workshop: Conservation Genetics
for Wildlife Managers, Portland OR)
Statistical Applications in Conservation Genetics (Biometrics Course)
Exotic Species in Conservation (UI Conservation Biology course)