Cheryl Anne Murphy

Cheryl Anne Murphy is a Professor in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Michigan State University's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and founding Director of the Center for PFAS Research. She holds affiliate positions with the Center for Integrative Toxicology, Center for Water Sciences, Environmental Science and Public Policy program, and Ecology, Evolutionary Biology and Behavior Program.

Her educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Oceanography and Coastal Sciences from Louisiana State University (2006)
• M.S. in Cell Biology and Physiology from the University of Alberta (1998)
• B.S. in Marine Biology (Honours) from Dalhousie University (1993)

Dr. Murphy's research bridges laboratory, field, and modeling approaches to investigate how individual-level biological changes (gene expression, physiology) translate to population-level effects in fish exposed to contaminants. Her work focuses on PFAS toxicity mechanisms, adverse outcome pathways, and ecological risk assessment, with emphasis on reproductive physiology, behavior, and contaminant impacts on aquatic ecosystems. She actively develops methods for evaluating chemical mixtures and advancing regulatory frameworks.

No scientific awards are mentioned in available sources.

She directs a robust research portfolio funded by major grants from EPA, USGS, Great Lakes Fishery Commission, and FAA (2020-2027), including $1.9M for PFAS toxicity frameworks and multi-million dollar projects addressing PFAS in agriculture, airport remediation, and Great Lakes fish health. As College Graduate Committee member, she advises graduate students while leading interdisciplinary teams through the Center for PFAS Research.

The Center for PFAS Research under her leadership coordinates cross-campus initiatives on PFAS transport, bioaccumulation, and remediation, with active projects at Gerald R Ford International Airport and Huron River Watershed addressing real-world contamination challenges.