Megan Murphy

Ph.D. Candidate

Department of Geology

1 Shields Ave.

University of California

Davis, CA 95616

B.A. 2000, Franklin and Marshall College, PA

M.Sc. 2002, East Carolina University, NC

Tel: (530) 848-9690

Fax: (530) 754-0951

megmurphy@geology.ucdavis.edu

Research Interests and Ph.D. Objectives

Variations in 2.5 Ga microbialites may record ancient ecological dynamics such as microbial responses to their depositional environment and complex interactions within microbial communities. Characterizing variations in structures with depositional environments and the preservation style of mats may provide clues to these complex interactions.

I am studying Neoarchean carbonates from the Carawine Formation of the Hamersley Group in Western Australia. These rocks contain extremely well preserved carbonate platform deposits and microbialites. In order to understand variations in ancient microbialites, fenestrate microbialites of the Carawine Formation are being compared to similar structures from the Reivilo Formation, Transvaal Supergroup, South Africa, which is the same age and is part of an exceptionally well-preserved carbonate platform (Beukes, 1987; Sumner, 1997b; Sumner and Grotzinger, 2000; Sumner and Grotzinger, in press). Comparisons of depositional environments and structures created by early microbial communities between the Carawine Formation and the Reivilo Formation will provide a better understanding of ecological diversity in the Neoarchean.

To understand the variations in Neoarchean microbialites, I am petrographically identifying and classifying different microbially produced structures in both the Carawine and Reivilo formations. I am establishing depositional environments for new occurrences of microbialites in the Carawine Formation through detailed mapping and measuring of stratigraphic columns.

I am also creating models of development for two specific microbially produced structures preserved in Neoarchean-aged rocks. I am developing a model of formation for macroscopic walled tube structures that involves fluid escape and microbial growth. To this end, I am working on 3D reconstructions of the ancient microbial structures to more accurately compare them to modern analogs.

Presentations/Publications

2006 Murphy, M.A. and Sumner, D.Y., A Neoarchean Ecologically Diverse Carbonate Ramp, Carawine Formation, Western Australia: Variations in Microbial Morphologies with Depositional Environment, in prep.

2006 Murphy, M.A., Microbial Tubes in the Neoarchean Carawine Formation, Hamersley Basin, Western Australia, in prep.

2006 Murphy, M.A., Kansara, B., Weber, G.H., Natarajan, V., Hamann, B., Sumner, D.Y., Senge, P., Growth models of Neoarchean fenestrate microbialites from serial sectioning and growth surface modeling, in prep.

2006 Murphy, M.A. and Sumner, D.Y., 2.6 Ga microbial tube structures from the Carawine Fm., Hamersley Basin, Western Australia: products of fluid escape, microbial growth, and precipitation: 3^rd Annual Southern California Geobiology Symposium.

2006 Murphy, M.A., Kansara, B., Weber, G.H., Natarajan, V., Hamann, B., Sumner, D.Y., 2.6 Ga microbial tube structures from the Carawine Fm., Hamersley Basin, Western Australia: Astrobiology Science Conference, poster session.

2005 Hassler, S.W., Simonson, B.M., Sumner, D.Y. and Murphy, M.A., Neoarchaean impact spherule layers in the Fortescue and Hamersley Groups, Western Australia: stratigraphic and depositional implications of re-correlation: Australian Journal of Earth Science, v. 52.

2005 Murphy, M.A. and Sumner, D.Y., A model for vertically oriented surfaces in microbial mats: Eighth NASA Exobiology Principal Investigator’s Symposium.

2005 Murphy, M.A., Shepard, R.N., and Sumner, D.Y., A model for vertically oriented surfaces in microbial mats: Earth System Processes meeting.

2005 Murphy, M.A., Hedman, R., Wren, S., How effective are our lessons, 1^st Annual National Science Foundation Collaborative Classroom - Based Inquiry Project (CCBI) Spring Symposium.

2005 Murphy, M.A., Shepard, R.S., Alexander, K., Sumner, D.Y., Similarities and differences between modern and 2.6 Ga microbial structures, 2nd Annual Southern California Geobiology Symposium.

2004 Murphy, M.A. and Sumner, D.Y., Fenestrate microbialites in cores GKP-1 and GKF-1: New insights into processes affecting the morphology of Neoarchean microbial communities: Agouron-Griqualand Paleoproterozoic Drilling Project.

2004 Murphy, M.A. and Sumner, D.Y., Stromatolites and microbialites in subtidal carbonates of the Neoarchean Carawine Formation, Hamersley Group, Western Australia: GSA Geological Society of America meeting.

2004 Murphy, M.A. and Sumner, D.Y., Ecological diversity of microbial communities in the Neoarchean Carawine Formation, Western Australia: 32^nd International Geologic Congress, poster session.

2003 Murphy, M.A. and Sumner, D.Y., Ecological diversity of microbial communities in the Neoarchean Carawine Formation, Western Australia: Southern California Geobiology Symposium, poster session.

2003 Murphy, M.A. and Sumner, D.Y., Identification of fenestrate microbialites from the Neoarchean Carawine Formation, Western Australia: Geological Society of America meeting, poster session.

2002 Murphy, M.A., Riggs, S.R., and Ames, D.V., Estuarine shoreline erosion, Albemarle-Pamlico Sound, North Carolina: American Geophysical Union fall meeting, poster session.

2002 Murphy, M.A., Estuarine Shoreline Erosion, Albemarle-Pamlico Sound, North Carolina (unpublished MS thesis): East Carolina University, 295 p.

2002 Murphy, M.A. and Riggs, S.R., Estuarine Shoreline Erosion and Wetland Loss, Albemarle-Pamlico Sound, North Carolina: North Carolina Water Resources Research Conference, Raleigh, NC.

2000 Murphy, M.A. and deWet, C.B., Grainstone beds within Cambrian shelf margin microbialites, Ledger Formation, York County, Pennsylvania: Northeast Geological Society of America meeting, poster session.

Field Experiences

Teaching Assistantships and Education Outreach

*National Science Foundation Inquiry Based Learning Fellow (2004-2005)

· Teacher research in a 9^th grade Earth Science classroom

· Lesson Study on California State Standard on California Geology

*University of California, Davis, CA (2002-2004)

· Teaching assistant for introductory geology, sedimentology and stratigraphy, and basin analysis

*East Carolina University, Greenville, NC (2000-2002)

· Organized a fossil kit distribution to local grade schools during Earth Science Week

· Volunteer with Pamlico Tar River Foundation

· Volunteer at the Pamlico Estuary Science camp for elementary school children

· Volunteer at Science Olympiad, developed exercises for the student contestants

· Teaching assistant for introductory geology

*Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, PA (1996-2000)

· Teaching assistant for introductory geology, earth environment and humanity, historical geology, and sedimentology and stratigraphy

· Assistant to professor in oceanography first year seminar

· Tutor for Franklin and Marshall College employees' children in math and science

· America Reads tutor

*Bishop Hoban High School, Wilkes-Barre, PA (1992-1996)

· Math and science tutor for local underprivileged grade school children

Fellowships/Awards

Grants

2005 University of California, Durrell Funds

2004-2005 NSF Inquiry Based Learning fellowship

2004 University of California, Durrell Funds

2003 University of California, Durrell Funds

2001 Southeast Geologic Survey student grant

2000 North Carolina Geologic Survey student grant

1999 Pennsylvania Geologic Survey student grant

1999 Franklin and Marshall Independent Studies grant

Awards

2000 Honors distinction, Franklin and Marshall

2000 Lloyd S. Yeakel Award for Sedimentology

1998 Skull and Crown Honor Society

1996-1999 Dean's List, Franklin and Marshall

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