Matt Murphy
Email: mjm052@uark.edu
University of Arkansas, Department of Biological Sciences
Science and Engineering, Room 601
Fayetteville, AR 72701
Education
Ph.D. Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, 2024
M.Sc. Applied Biology, Salisbury University, 2017 (Thesis)
Salisbury, MD
Thesis: Sensory loading impairs multimodal mate choice in green treefrogs (Hyla cinerea)
Committee: Ryan Taylor, Kimberly Hunter, and Dana Price
M.Sc. Biological Sciences, University of Maryland Baltimore County [UMBC] 2012 (non-thesis)
Catonsville, MD
B.S. Biological Sciences UMBC, 2010
Honors
Doctoral Academy Fellow, University of Arkansas, 2017
Honors College, UMBC, 2006 – 2010
University Scholar, UMBC, 2006 – 2010
Research Experience
Graduate Researcher, Salisbury University, Salisbury MD, August 2014 – May 2017
Multisensory integration, mate choice, and behavioral genetics in anuran amphibians. Advisors: Dr. Kimberly Hunter and Dr. Ryan Taylor
Intern, National Museum of Natural History, Washington DC, August 2011 – March 2012
Curating the Cynipid Wasps of the United Arab Emirates. Advisor: Dr. Matthew Buffington
Field Assistant, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Catonsville MD, March – May: 2009, 2010
Reproductive behavior of fantail darters (Etheostoma flabbelare). Supervisors: Dr. Tamra Mendelson and PhD Candidate Cynthia O’Rourke
Undergraduate Research Assistant, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Catonsville MD, August 2008 – August 2010 Evolution of countershading dimorphism in New World blackbirds (Icteridae). Supervisor: Dr. Kevin Omland
Teaching Experience
Teaching Assistant, University of Arkansas
Animal Behavior Lab (BIOL 4833L) Dr. Erica Westerman (Coordinator) (2018-present)
Principles of Biology Lab (BIOL 1541L) Dr. Cheri LaRue (Coordinator) (2017-2018)
Teaching Assistant, Salisbury University
Human Anatomy and Physiology Lab (BIO 215) Wanda Perkins (Coordinator) (2014-2015 and 2016-2017)
Adjunct Instructor, Howard Community College
General Inorganic Chemistry I Lab (CHEM 100) Dr. Kathy Lilly (Coordinator) (2013-2014)
Teaching Assistant, UMBC
Plant Biology Lab (BIOL 304L) Bryan Mackay (Spring 2011)
Publications
Murphy, M.J. & Westerman, E.L. (2022) Evolutionary history limits species’ ability to match colour sensitivity to available habitat light. Proceedings of the Royal Society B. DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.0612
Merrill, A.N.*, Hirzel, G.E.*, Murphy, M.J., Imrie, R., Westerman, E.L. (2021) Engaging the community in pollinator research: the effect of wing pattern and weather on butterfly behavior. Integrative and Comparative Biology. DOI: 10.1093/icb/icab153
In prep
Murphy, M.J.; Hunter, K.L.; and Taylor, R.C. [in process] Sensory loading impairs multimodal mate choice in green treefrogs (Hyla cinerea)
Selected Presentations
Murphy, M.J., Westerman, E.L. (2021) “The effect of habitat on visual sensitivity across animal phyla.” Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting [talk]
Murphy, M.J., Westerman, E.L. (2019) “Habitat as a basis for estimating parameters of visual perception” Animal Behavior Society Annual Meeting [talk]
Murphy, M.J., Westerman, E.L. (2018) “You can see any color you like (if you’re a terrestrial animal): the effect of habitat on visual pigment diversity
Murphy, M.J.; Hunter, K.L.; and Taylor, R.C. (2017)+ “Your lips move but I can’t hear what you’re saying: Sensory loading impairs multimodal mate choice in green treefrogs (Hyla cinerea)” Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting [poster]
+Mentioned on Zen Faulkes’ BetterPosters blog:
http://betterposters.blogspot.com/2017/01/critique-frog-choices.html
Invited Workshop
Evolutionary Quantitative Genetics, National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis, Knoxville TN
August 10 – 15 2015. Hosts: Dr. Joe Felsenstein and Dr. Stevan Arnold
Service
Manuscript Reviewer, Herpetologica, August 2014 – May 2017
Biology Seminary Committee, Salisbury University Dept of Biology, August 2015 – May 2017
Promotion and Tenure Review Board (Voting Student), UMBC Dept of Biology, January 2011
Affiliations
Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology
Animal Behavior Society