Speaker: Dr. Brian R. Murphy

Date: 10:00 Sep 28, 2010

Location: 8th floor of the laboratory building

Dr. Brian R. Murphy holds the B.S. degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Detroit (Michigan), the M.S. degree in Bionucleonics (Radiation Biology and Environmental Toxicology) from Purdue University, and the Ph.D. degree in Fisheries Science from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. After faculty service at both Texas Tech University and Texas A&M University, he returned to Virginia Tech in 1994 as Head of the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences. Currently he serves as Professor of Fisheries in the department and as Director of the Virginia Tech Conservation Management Institute (CMI), a research/outreach institute dedicated to interdisciplinary approaches to natural resources issues. CMI employs more than 60 people, and conducts research projects totaling more than $2 million per year.　

Dr. Murphy is very active in issues of improving fisheries education, and natural resources education in general. In 2007 he was named a Diggs Teaching Scholar at Virginia Tech, which recognizes only three people at Virginia Tech who lead in the development of new educational methods. In 2009 he received the Virginia Tech Award for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, for his work in the development of case-study teaching. He has received the Outstanding Education Award from the Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, the Distinguished Professor Award from Texas A&M University (3 times), and the Certificate of Teaching Excellence from Virginia Tech. In 1994 he was recognized with the highest honor related to fisheries education, the international Award for Excellence in Fisheries Education from the American Fisheries Society. After serving as international president of the Education Section for the American Fisheries Society, he edited Fisheries Techniques (2nd Edition), which has become a standard textbook in the fisheries field worldwide. This book has sold more copies than any other book ever published by the American Fisheries Society. In 2010 Dr. Murphy completed two new books for the American Fisheries Society, Case Studies in Fisheries Conservation and Management: Applied Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, and an Instructor’s Guideto the same book. 

Recently Dr. Murphy has focused attention on curricular development and reform efforts. He has directed funded research and published articles related to reforming the first-year experience for natural resources students, effectively mentoring graduate students, and promoting critical thinking and problem solving skills in students. After spending a year as a Fulbright Lecturer in Mexico, Brazil, and Cuba, Murphy introduced extensive international content to his teaching. He has led study abroad courses to Belize, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Panama. He currently holds the positions of Adjunct Professor with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Visiting Professor at the Autonomous University of Guadalajara (Mexico), and Visiting Professor at The University of Central America in Managua (Nicaragua).

Dr. Murphy has been a university faculty member doing teaching and research for more than 30 years. He has directed more than 40 post-graduate students to completion (13 PhD, and 28 M.S.), and has authored more than 100 articles in scientific journals and three books. He is a Life Member of the American Fisheries Society (>35 years) and a member of the International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. He was named a Fellow with the American Institute of Fishery Research Biologists. He currently serves as Vice President for the American Fisheries Society Southern Division (13 U.S. states, Mexico, and several Caribbean islands). In 2012 he will serve as President of that group.