Katie M. Murphy, PhD is a scientist and communicator currently located in Saint Louis, Missouri. Katie holds a B.S. with Honors in Chemistry from Stanford University, and a PhD in Plant Biology from UC Davis. She is currently a postdoctoral associate at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, a non-profit research institute. Her research focuses on plant biochemistry. Her pronouns are she/her/hers.
In addition to great science, Katie is passionate about science communication. She believes that if tax payers fund her research, they deserve to understand what their money is doing. You can check out her science communication, including @Real_Time_Science on Instagram and TikTok, at this page.
Resume / Curriculum Vitae
Publications – see my Google Scholar for an up-to-date list and links
Science Communication – see this page for recent outreach
Education
University of California, Davis (2015- 2020)
Ph.D. in Plant Biology
Designated Emphasis in Biotechnology
Stanford University (2011-2015)
B.S. in Chemistry, with Honors
Oxford University (Spring 2014)
Experience
Donald Danforth Plant Science Center St. Louis, MO
Postdoctoral Associate, Doug Allen and Malia Gehan Labs 2021 – present
– Metabolic and phenotypic effects of heat stress on a high-oil producing tobacco line.
TechAccel, LLC St. Louis, MO
Science Advancement Manager Intern April 2019 – Oct. 2019
– Managed scientific investments and Universities and start-ups, conducted due diligence on scientific investments, and evaluated technologies for growth opportunities.
University of California, Davis Davis, CA
Ph.D. with Dr. Philipp Zerbe 2016 – 2020
– The role and biosynthesis of diterpenes in the root microbiome composition and plant stress response in Zea mays (maize). Approaches include biochemistry, plant physiology, NMR, genetics, and molecular biology.
Stanford University Stanford, CA
Research Assistant with Dr. Virginia Walbot 2012 – 2015
Anther development in Zea mays (maize).
– Anther development in Zea mays (maize). Approaches include solid-state NMR, microscopy, molecular biology, and genetics.
Oregon Health and Sciences University Beaverton, OR
High School Intern with Dr. Paul Tratnyek 2010
– Optimized the use of titanium dioxide plating in photocatalytic water purification through the High School Apprenticeships in Science and Engineering (ASE)
Awards
NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biology 2021
Eric Conn Young Investigator Award, ASPB 2021
Max Kleiber Dissertation Award, UC Davis 2021
ASPB Ambassador of the Year 2020
GSA Travel Award 2019
USDA NIFA Pre-Doctoral Fellow 2019
Innovation Institute for Food and Health Graduate Fellow, UC Davis 2019
Grad Slam Winner, UC Davis & University of California 2019
iBiology Young Scientist Seminar Competition, Winner 2019
Dean’s Mentorship Award, UC Davis 2018
Eric Conn Biochemistry Award, UC Davis 2018
Leaders for the Future Program, UC Davis Plant Biology 2018
Stocking Fellowship, UC Davis Plant Biology 2017
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship 2016
USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum Student Diversity Program 2016
Steindler Fellowship, UC Davis 2015
Firestone Medal for Excellence in Undergraduate Research 2015
Barry Goldwater National Fellowship Honorable Mention 2014
American Society of Plant Biologists Undergraduate Research Fellow 2014
Stanford Undergraduate Research Grant Recipient 2014
Stanford Bio-X Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow 2012
Service and Leadership
ASPB ad-hoc Committee on Sexual Harassment 2019- present
American Society of Plant Biologists Ambassador 2019- present
Early Career Representative, ASPB Women in Plant Biology 2019- present
Plantae Webinar Presenter, How to Use an IDP Oct. 2019
PBGG Mentorship Committee Co-Chair 2018-19
PBGG Recruitment Co-Chair 2017-18
Master Planting Science Team 2017-2018
Women in Biotechnology Panelist, Seed Central March 2017
Plant Chemistry Activity, “Girls In Science Day” Peregrine School Feb. 2017
Plant Science Research Network, workshop participant Sept. 2017
President, Alpha Chi Sigma Professional Chemistry Fraternity 2013-2015
Peer Advisor, Stanford Chem. Dept. 2013-2015
Teaching Experience
University of California, Davis
Instructor: Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience Winter 2019
– Co-taught a freshman seminar CURE course on plant biochemistry, including course planning, lectures, and laboratory instruction
– Student evaluation summary: Instructor seemed genuinely interested in the topic (5/5), helped students think more critically (5/5), was effective in leading discussions (5/5), seemed to be an effective teacher, overall (5/5), and showed respect for different points of view (5/5).
Undergraduate (8) and High School (2) Research Mentor 2017 – 2020
Stanford University
Education Fellow, Stanford University, Haas Center for Public Service 2013-2015
Head Teaching Assistant (Chem 31X), Stanford Chem. Dept. 2014
Writing Teaching Assistant (Chem 134), Stanford Chem. Dept. 2015
Teaching Assistant (Chem 10), Stanford Chem. Dept. 2013