Zack E. Murrell

Dr. Zack E. Murrell is a Professor in the Department of Biology at Appalachian State University, specializing in species boundaries, phylogeography, systematics, floristics, and biodiversity informatics. His research focuses on plant groups including Virginia Spiraea, Hexastylis, and Cornus, with significant contributions to regional biodiversity initiatives like SERNEC and the US Virtual Herbarium.

Dr. Murrell earned his Ph.D. from Duke University and completed postdoctoral training at the University of Arizona and Harvard University. His research centers on three critical areas: (1) species boundaries and speciation using molecular markers on imperiled species like Virginia Spiraea and Hexastylis naniflora; (2) floristic studies in northwest North Carolina's High Peaks region on unique amphibolite-derived basic soils; and (3) biodiversity informatics through leadership in SERNEC and the US Virtual Herbarium to digitize and mobilize herbarium data for conservation.

His publications demonstrate a career trajectory from foundational work on dogwood systematics to contemporary biodiversity informatics, consistently integrating morphological, molecular, and biogeographical approaches. Early research established taxonomic frameworks for Cornus, while later work addresses urgent conservation needs through digital specimen mobilization and analysis of imperiled species.

Dr. Murrell has mentored numerous graduate and undergraduate students across his research projects and secured funding for significant initiatives, including a National Science Foundation proposal to expand SERNEC into an all-taxa biodiversity informatics project in partnership with state Natural Heritage Programs and NatureServe.

As co-chair of the US Virtual Herbarium initiative and leader of SERNEC, Dr. Murrell coordinates multi-institutional efforts to standardize herbarium data exchange and develop community best practices. His work connects museum collections with environmental planning at federal, state, and local levels to support habitat preservation and ecosystem service quantification.