Emily K. Murphy

Emily K. Murphy

PhD Candidate

ekmurphy@mail.ubc.ca
LinkedIN: http://ca.linkedin.com/in/emilykmurphy

Projects

Genetic improvement of Canadian Salix spp. for biomass production

Research Interests

Willows (Salix spp.) are of great ecological importance in the Northern hemisphere from Arctic to sub-tropical regions and inhabit ecosystems ranging from mountainous to coastal wetlands. This significant variation and plasticity make willows an attractive species for a wide array of biological-based environmental solutions. Research examining this variation is assessed annually in field trials, but subjective trait scoring and ploidy barriers to interspecific species crosses have slowed breeding advancements.

In recent years, the breeding focus has shifted toward exploiting natural variation in native populations due to concerns over the introduction of foreign pests and diseases. As a part of a larger data collection initiative by Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, my research aims to assess the inherent cell wall characteristics of native willow populations that will be used towards the Canadian willow feedstock improvement program.

Education

BSc – Biology (Cooperative Program), Dalhousie University (2013)

Awards, Grants, Scholarships

    • Mary and David Macaree Fellowship, UBC (2017, 2018)
    • VanDusen Graduate Fellowship in Forestry, UBC (2016)
    • Research Affiliate Program (RAP), Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada (2013-2017)