Carmen Murphy

Dr. Carmen Murphy serves as an Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Plant Sciences & Plant Pathology within the College of Agriculture at Montana State University, focusing on plant disease management for Montana's pulse and cereal crops.

Her research centers on soilborne pathogens in pulse crops including Aphanomyces root rot and bacterial blight, alongside vector-borne viral diseases in wheat systems. She investigates agricultural microbiome dynamics and develops practical integrated pest management solutions for regional growers, with strong emphasis on field-applicable disease diagnostics and control strategies.

Recent publications demonstrate her expertise across fungal, bacterial, and viral pathosystems, with 2024 studies addressing Aphanomyces in pulse crops and Pseudomonas blight in dry peas, plus 2021 research on wheat mite-virus complexes. Her work consistently bridges laboratory characterization with on-farm disease management challenges.

Dr. Murphy directs the Regional Pulse Crop Diagnostic Lab and has secured multiple Montana Department of Agriculture grants for projects including microbiome exploration in pulse fields, soilborne disease risk prediction, and diagnostic services for pulse growers across the state.