A love of science and a commitment to training tomorrow's medical professionals
Author: Vanessa Beeson
Dr. Sydney Murphy (Photo by Submitted)
Dr. Sydney Murphy, a 2006 Mississippi State biochemistry graduate, traces her passion for science back to childhood experiments with her grandfather, an organic chemist.
"We'd make candy in the kitchen while learning about crystalline structures and chemical bonds. It was fun, but also educational—I was always fascinated by the intangible side of science and how it connects to health, medicine, and disease," she said.
Today, the Madison native serves as dean of the School of Graduate Studies in Health Sciences at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, where she helps prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals. Murphy, who earned her master's and doctoral degrees from UMMC, has been with the organization since graduating with her Ph.D. in 2010. She became academic dean in 2014 and soon after helped launch the John D. Bower School of Population Health—the third of its kind in the nation at the time.
"We developed two doctoral and three master's programs and grew the school to nearly 50 students. It was a big achievement," she noted.
Two years ago, Murphy transitioned into her current role, overseeing nine doctoral and two master's programs, a Doctor of Audiology degree, a molecular medicine certificate, and UMMC's dual M.D./Ph.D. program. The graduate school now includes 200 faculty and 250 students.
"I really enjoy interacting with students. They bring so much joy and energy. UMMC is usually not their end point, particularly for our Ph.Ds. They come here from all over the world and then go on to careers all over the world," she said.
"It's energizing to watch them learn and experience new things. Guiding them on their educational path, then seeing them walk across the stage and celebrating with them is incredibly rewarding."
Murphy also finds fulfillment in supporting faculty.
"Our faculty are phenomenal and deeply invested in the students. Being able to support faculty, whether through funding mechanisms or professional development opportunities, is just a lot of fun," she said.
She is committed to aligning education with the state's healthcare needs.
"One thing we're always doing at UMMC and in the graduate school is looking at the healthcare needs of Mississippians and then adjusting, growing, or creating training programs to meet employment demands. For example, the School of Population Health focuses on understanding why certain populations are sicker than others and what policies, procedures, or initiatives might help improve their health.
Launching that school filled a need that hadn't been met here," she said. "The work our students and faculty are doing really matters. They're making an impact on the overall health of the state by helping us better understand how and why these diseases occur and by developing new therapies that we hope will improve health outcomes in Mississippi."
Originally planning to attend medical school, Murphy discovered her passion for research during a summer internship with Dr. Dan Peterson. At the time, Peterson was an assistant professor in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences at MSU.
"It took me back to experimenting in the kitchen with my grandfather," she said.
That hands-on experience sparked her desire for a research-focused career. A chance encounter at an MSU football game ultimately led her to graduate school at UMMC.
"My sister introduced me to someone from a UMMC lab, and I ended up touring the department over fall break. Next thing I knew, I was in grad school," Murphy recalled.
Her advice to students is simple: talk to your professors.
"Professors are passionate, intelligent people who genuinely care about their students, which is something I didn't fully appreciate as an undergrad. Now, on the other side of the desk, I see how rewarding it is to support students through challenges, celebrate their milestones, and share in their excitement."
Date: 2026-10-02
