Faculty

Brian R. Murphy

Brian R. Murphy
Professor of Fisheries Science
Director, Conservation Management Institute

B.S., University of Detroit, 1975
M.S., Purdue University, 1977
Ph.D., Virginia Polytechnic Institute, 1981

Academic Interests:

Natural resource education; fisheries management, reservoir ecology, international conservation

Adjunct Appointments:

  • Adjunct Professor, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Insdtitute for Hydrobiology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
  • Visiting Professor, Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
  • Faculty Research Associate, Universidad de Centroamericana, Managua, Nicaragua

Memberships:

  • American Fisheries Society (Life Member)
  • American Institute of Fishery Research Biologists (Fellow)
  • International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
  • Sigma Xi (The Scientific Research Society)

Courses Taught:

Fisheries management; Advanced fisheries management; Fisheries techniques; Introduction to renewable natural resources; Global seminar in sustainability; Pedagogy for natural resources sciences; Study abroad (2000-present: Belize; Dominican Republic; Nicaragua; Panama).

Professional Achievements:

Diggs Teaching Scholar Award-Virginia Tech 2007
President-elect, National Association of University Fish and Wildlife Programs (1999-2001); Virginia Tech Certificate of Teaching Excellence (1998); Excellence in Education Award, American Fisheries Society(1994); Fellow, American Institute of Fishery Research Biologists (1994); Outstanding Fisheries Worker Award for Education, Texas Chapter AFS (1992); President AFS Education Section (1991); Texas A&M University, Distinguished Professor Award(1987,1989,1992)

Other Professional Experience:

1994-1999: Department Head, Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, Virginia Tech.

1993-1994: Professor, Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University.

1991-1994: Associate Department Head, Texas A&M University.

1985-1991: Associate Professor, Texas A&M University.

1980-1985: Assistant Professor, Range & Wildlife Mgmt. , Texas Tech.

Scholarship of Teaching and Learning:

My interests in this area center on not just excellent teaching, but also studying the processes of teaching and learning in order to improve them within the natural resources field..

"A scholarship of teaching is not synonymous with excellent teaching. It requires a kind of "going meta" in which faculty frame and systematically investigate questions related to student learning-the conditions under which it occurs, what it looks like, how to deepen it, and so forth-;and do so with an eye not only to improving their own classroom but to advancing practice beyond it . . . The scholarship of teaching is integrating the experience of teaching with the scholarship of research. It is the ongoing and cumulative intellectual inquiry, through systematic observations and ongoing investigations by faculty, into the nature of learning and the impact of teaching on it.(Hutchings, P. and L.S. Shulman. 1999). The Scholarship of Teaching: New Elaborations, New Developments. Change, September/October. 31 (5), 10-15.)"

Much of my current research in SOTL centers on the design, use, and outcomes of case study teaching and learning in natural resources education. I have written one case that currently is in use as curricular material for the Global Seminar in Sustainability, a Cornell-led distance learning initiative that unites over 50 universities worldwide.


A Tale of Two Oceans: The Demise of Bluefin Tuna

Other cases published in education journals:

Graham, L. J., and B. R. Murphy. 2007. The decline of beluga sturgeon: a case study about fisheries management. Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education 36: 66-75.

Hitt, N. P., and B. R. Murphy. 2007. An inquiry-based case study for conservation biology. Journal of Virginia Science Education 2(1): in press.

Other SOTL Publications:

Murphy. B. R. 1995. Using microthemes to improve students' writing skills.Fisheries 20(2):22-26.

Murphy, B. R.1998. Graduate mentoring: advancing students professional development. Fisheries 23(9)7-9.

Newcomb, T.J., B.R. Murphy, and J.M. Berkson. 2002. Curricular threads in fisheries education: employing integrated themes throughout a student's academic career. Fisheries 27(11):16-20.

SOTL Research Grants:

USDA Higher Education Challenge Grant. Enhancing Student and Faculty Development in Natural Resources Education. 1977-2000.

USDA Higher Education Challenge Grant. Novel Educational Strategies to Assess and Improve Critical Thinking. 2003-2007.

SOTL Presentations and Workshops:

  1. Murphy, B. R., and W. E. Kelso. 1986. What is a fisheries education program? Presented at 116th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, 18 September 1986. (Invited Paper)
  2. Murphy, B. R., and W. E. Kelso. 1990. Fisheries education in the United States: Are we ready for the 21st Century? Presented at 120th Annual Meeting American Fisheries Society, 30 August 1990. (Invited Paper)
  3. Murphy, B. R. 1996. Graduate mentoring: advancing students' professional development. Presented at 126th Annual Meeting American Fisheries Society, Dearborn, Michigan, 21 August 1996. (Invited Paper)
  4. Murphy, B. R. 1999. Engaging freshman students in their own learning. Presented to College of Agriculture, South Dakota State University, 21 October 1999. (Invited Paper)
  5. Murphy, B. R., D. W. Smith, T. M. Wildman, and C. A. Bailey. 1999. Enhancing success and professional development of students in natural resources. Presented to: 129th AFS Annual Meeting, Charlotte, NC. 25 August 1999. (Invited Paper)
  6. Murphy, B. R., D. W. Smith, T. M. Wildman, and C. A. Bailey. 2000. Enhancing success and professional development of students in natural resources.Presented at 3rd Biennial Conference on University Education in Natural Resources, Columbia, MO. 27 March 2000.
  7. Murphy, B. R. 2000. Keys to effective freshman orientation in natural resources. Presented to College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT. 11 May 2000. (Invited Paper)
  8. Murphy, B. R., D. W. Smith, T. M. Wildman, C. A. Bailey. 2000. Lighting the flame: enhancing learning and student success in an introductory course. Presented at 13th International Conference on the First-Year Student Experience, Reading, England. 26 July 2000.
  9. Murphy, B. R. 2000. Planning a multidisciplinary biodiversity conservation program. Presented to College of Natural Resources, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID. 17 October 2000. (Invited Paper)
  10. Murphy, B. R. 2000. Engaging first-year students in a natural resources curriculum. Presented to College of Natural Resources, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID. 18 October 2000. (Invited Paper)
  11. Murphy, Brian R. 2001. Skills for success: writing and speaking in a first-year natural resources course. Annual Conference of the Wildlife Society, Reno, NV. 29 September 2001. (Invited Paper)
  12. Berkson, J. M., B. R. Murphy, and T. J. Newcomb. 2002. Encouraging critical thinking about advocacy. Presented at 4th Biennial Conference on University Education in Natural Resources, Raleigh, NC. 15 March 2002.
  13. Hammett, A. L., and B. R. Murphy. 2002. Leading study abroad programs -- Some examples from Nicaragua and Panama. Presented at 4th Biennial Conference on University Education in Natural Resources, Raleigh, NC. 15 March 2002.
  14. Newcomb, T. J., B. R. Murphy, and J. M. Berkson. 2002. Curricular threads: integrated themes from introductory to capstone courses. Presented at 4th Biennial Conference on University Education in Natural Resources, Raleigh, NC. 16 March 2002.
  15. Murphy, B. R., J. S. Grist, and J. Rash. 2002. A service-learning partnership for fisheries management on public lands. Presented at Annual Service Learning Expo, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA. 22 March 2002.
  16. Murphy, B. R., J. Rash, and J. Corrao. 2003. Fisheries management education through service learning. Presented at Annual Service Learning Expo, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA. 16 March 2003.
  17. Murphy, B. R., J. L. Arreguin R., E. Sahagún G., and H. D. Sutphin. 2004. Partnerships in education for sustainable development: networking through the Global Seminar. 9th North American Higher Education Conference, Consortium for North American Higher Education, Guadalajara, Mexico. 11 March 2004. (Invited Paper)
  18. Murphy, B. R. 2004. Case study teaching: an approach to enhance students' critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Special Seminar Series, Oficina de Direccion de Investigaciones, Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico. 10 May 2004. (Invited Paper)
  19. Murphy, B. R., J. C. Ambriz, and J. L. Arregiun. 2005. Internationalizing curricula through the Global Seminar. Autonomous University of Guadalajara, Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico. 31 May 2005 (Invited Paper)
  20. Berkson, J., and B. R. Murphy. 2006. A new approach to summer undergraduate learning: combining case studies, road trips, video interviews, and website development. Presented at Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America, Memphis, TN. 10 August 2006.
  21. Murphy, B. R. 2006. Developing critical thinking skills of fisheries students. Presented at the Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, China. 8 November 2006. (Invited Presentation)
  22. Murphy, B. R. 2007. Life in academe for future faculty: disciplinary courses in teaching and learning. Conversations with Faculty Series, Center for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA. 16 February 2007. (Invited Discussion Leader)
  23. Murphy, B. R. 2007. Fostering student engagement, learning, and development. Faculty Development Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA. 22 May 2007. (Invited faculty panel speaker)
  24. Murphy, B. R. 2007. Case study teaching and learning. Global Seminar International Conference, Guadalajara, Mexico. 26 June 2007. (Invited Presentation)
  25. Murphy, B. R. 2007. Enhancing students' critical thinking through case study teaching in biology. Virginia Association of Biology Educators, Annual Conference, Blacksburg, VA. 5 October 2007. (Invited Presentation)
  26. Murphy, B. R. 2007. Diggs Scholars Roundtable: Case-study teaching to enhance students' critical thinking. Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA. 26 October 2007. (Invited Presentation)
  27. Murphy, B. R. 2007. Global classrooms: Transcending national boundaries, cultures, and backgrounds. Conversations with Faculty Series, Center for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA. 14 November 2007. (Invited Discussion Leader)
  28. Murphy, B. R. 2008. Case Study Teaching: Where Do I Start? Diggs Teaching Scholar Workshop, Center for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA. 24 March 2008. (Invited Workshop Leader)

Research Interests:

My research concentration is in the area of fisheries management (improving management approaches to increase benefits available to users in sport and commercial fisheries). My research approach concentrates on improving methods to assess fisheries population status, and the development of novel methods to increase fisheries production and protect critical species and habitats. Current projects cover the range of habitats from small inland streams and ponds for recreational fishing to open-ocean fish populations that are exploited for commercial purposes. Many projects are conducted in the USA , while others are also underway to improve management in several international areas ( China , Cuba , Mexico , and Nicaragua ). We particularly concentrate on correcting overfishing, and its deleterious effects on both fish populations and human users.

Current Research Projects:

  • Determining causes of recruitment failure in freshwater reservoirs (largemouth bass Microterus salmoides populations)
  • Using bioimpedance analysis to monitor condition of endangered fishes in-vivo (e.g., Roanoke logperch Percina rex )
  • Estimation of fisheries bycatch in the horseshoe crab trawl fishery along the Eastern U.S. coast
  • Modeling impacts of fisheries minimum-size regulations on protogynous marine fish populations
  • Assessing potential impacts of aquatic macrophyte control on a large lake ecosystem ( Lake Chapala , Jalisco , Mexico )
  • Assessing and mitigating severe overfishing on Cao Hai Lake ( Guizhou Province , People's Republic of China )
  • Assessing impacts of introduced tilapia on native fishes in Nicaragua
  • Restoring freshwater sport fisheries for tourism development in Cuba
  • Assessing the influence of the Three Gorges Dam on ecology and management of Yangtze River fisheries (Recent Publication)

Recent Refereed Publications:

Delabbio, J.L., G. R. Johnson, B. R. Murphy, E. Hallerman, A. Woart, S. L. McMullin. 2005. Fish disease and biosecurity: attitudes, beliefs and perceptions of managers/owners of finfish recirculation facilities in the United States and Canada. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health 17:153-159.

Brenden, T. O., B. R. Murphy, and E. M. Hallerman. 2005. Predatory impacts of muskellunge on New River (Virginia) smallmouth bass. Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 58 (2004):12-22.

Palmer, G. C., B. R. Murphy, and E. M. Hallerman. 2005. Movements of walleyes in Claytor Lake and the Upper New River, Virginia indicate distinct lake and river populations. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 25:1448-1455.

Xie, S., Z. Li, Y. Cui, and B. R. Murphy. 2005. Distribution, feeding and body composition of four small fish species in the near-shore and central areas of Liangzi Lake, China. Environmental Biology of Fishes 74:379-387.

Brenden, T. O., E. M. Hallerman, and B. R. Murphy. 2006. Sectioned pelvic fin ray aging of muskellunge Esox masquinongy from a Virginia river: comparisons among readers, with cleithrum estimates, and with tag-recapture growth data. Fisheries Management and Ecology 13:31-37.

Brenden, T. O., and B. R. Murphy. 2006. Variance-covariance estimation of standard weight equation coefficients. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 21:1-7.

Palmer, G. C., M. Culver, D. Dutton, B. R. Murphy, and E. M. Hallerman. 2006. Genetic analysis shows distinct walleye stocks in Claytor Lake and the upper New River, Virginia. Proceedings Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 59: In press.

Brenden, T. O., B. R. Murphy, and E. M. Hallerman. 2006. The effect of discharge on daytime habitat use and selection of muskellunge in the New River, Virginia. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 135: 1546-1558.

McCrary, J., B. R. Murphy, J. Stauffer, and S. Hendrix. 2006. Tilapia (Teleostei: Cichlidae) status in Nicaraguan natural waters. Environmental Biology of Fishes 78: 107-114.

Brenden, T.O., E.M. Hallerman, B.R. Murphy, J.R. Copeland, and J.A. Williams. 2007. The New River, Virginia, muskellunge fishery: population dynamics, harvest regulation modeling, and angler attitudes. Environmental Biology of Fishes 79:11-25.

Graham, L. J., and B. R. Murphy. 2007. The decline of the beluga sturgeon: a case study about fisheries management. Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education: in press.

Copeland, T., B.R. Murphy, and J.J. Ney. 2007. Interpretation of relative weight in two populations of wild bluegills: a cautionary tale. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 27: in press.

Hitt, T., and B. R. Murphy. 2007. An inquiry-based case study for conservation biology. Journal of Virginia Science Education 2(1): in press.

Books and Book Chapters

Murphy, B. R., and D.W. Willis, editors. 1996. Fisheries techniques. Second edition. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda , Maryland . 732 pp.

Murphy, B. R. 2006. Academic positions in fisheries science. Pages 97-108 in D. A. Hewitt, W. E. Pine, III, and A. V. Zale. The AFS guide to fisheries employment. 2 nd edition. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda , Maryland

Murphy, B. R., D. W. Willis, and M. L. Davis. 2008. Case studies in fisheries conservation and management. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda , Maryland (in preparation).

Last updated December 14, 2007