Shane Murphy

Shane Murphy is a Professor in the Department of Atmospheric Science at the University of Wyoming's College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, leading the Center for Air Quality (CAQ)—a School of Energy Resources Center of Excellence focused on quantifying energy-sector emissions to minimize air quality impacts in the Mountain West.

His academic background includes:

• B.S. in Chemical Engineering with Biochemistry minor from University of Colorado, Boulder (2000)
• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering with Environmental Science minor from California Institute of Technology (2009)

Murphy's research advances atmospheric chemistry through novel field measurements using mobile laboratories and airborne platforms. His group targets two critical areas: (1) reducing uncertainties in absorbing aerosol emissions (black carbon/brown carbon—the third-largest post-industrial warming agent) and (2) quantifying methane/VOC emissions from oil and gas extraction that exceed inventory estimates and degrade air quality. Work emphasizes Western U.S. biomass burning and Wyoming's Upper Green River Basin.

His 2014-2019 publications reveal consistent focus on methane/VOC flux measurement techniques, biomass burning aerosol characterization, and climate impacts. Research employs state-of-the-art instrumentation across multiple oil/gas basins, driving improvements in emission inventories and models for ozone formation and radiative forcing.

No scientific awards are documented in the provided materials.

Murphy advises graduate researchers including R. Edie, A. M. Robertson, and R. P. Pokhrel, whose contributions appear in high-impact journals. His CAQ-directed work receives support through industry partnerships and interagency collaborations (federal/state agencies, national labs, and universities), though specific grants aren't detailed.

The Center for Air Quality conducts research via mobile/static/airborne in-situ measurements, data analysis for emission model validation, and multi-stakeholder collaboration to enable energy development with minimized air quality impacts—particularly in Wyoming's Jonah Field and Pinedale Anticline regions.