A professor in the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS).
Dr. William Murphy — the James E. Womack University Professor of Genetics in the Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences (VIBS) — is one of 144 new members and the only faculty member from Texas A&M elected during this cycle.
The NAS is a private, nonprofit institution established under a congressional charter by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. It is one of three national academies that provide science, engineering and health policy advice to the federal government and other organizations, including the International Science Council.
Elected members are recognized for their achievement in science.
Murphy has received this honor — one of the highest that a scientist can achieve — for his research using comparative genomics to describe and understand evolutionary processes in mammals that result in different species, adaptations and overall biological diversity. His work has helped redefine the mammalian tree of life and transform scientists’ understanding of biology, especially through his research on the domestic cat genome.
His work has even been featured on the covers of highly regarded publications like Science, Nature, Genome Research, the Journal of Heredity, and Genomics.
“Dr. Murphy is one of the most influential scholars in his field worldwide. His seminal scientific achievements have had transformational impacts on the biology of mammals and the health and conservation of cats,” said Dr. John R. August, the Carl B. King Dean of Veterinary Medicine. “We are so proud that Dr. Murphy has received this highest honor for the breakthrough research discoveries that he has made as a faculty member of over 20 years at Texas A&M University. We are also thankful for his service as our assistant dean for the VMBS’ Office of Research and Graduate Studies.”