Paul C. Murphey earned masters and Ph.D. degrees in Geological Sciences with emphases in vertebrate paleontology in 1995 and 2001, respectively. These graduate degrees were both conferred at the University of Colorado, Boulder . His doctoral research focused on the stratigraphy, depositional environments, distribution of fossils, and taphonomy of the Bridger Formation (middle Eocene) of southwestern Wyoming . This work included geologic mapping of over 1,000 square km of the southern Green River Basin in Wyoming. These maps and the accompanying stratigraphic monograph are available at the Wyoming State Geological Survey.

     Dr. Murphey’s prior professional appointments include Collections Manager of Paleontology and Osteology in the Geological Section of the University of Colorado Museum of Natural History, Instructor in the Masters of Museum and Field Studies at the University of Colorado, Lecturer in the Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Colorado, Graduate Faculty Member at the University of Colorado, Principal Investigator of Paleontology at SWCA Environmental Consultants, and Associate Curator of Paleontology and Associate Director of Paleoservices in the Department of Paleontology, San Diego Natural History Museum.

     Since 1995, Dr. Murphey has worked as a Principal Investigator on hundreds of paleontological resource management-related projects throughout the western United States . He has also worked collaboratively with the Bureau of Land Management on projects including geologic mapping and a predictive model for paleontological resources on BLM lands in southwestern Wyoming . Dr. Murphey currently holds a Research Associate appointment at the Biodiversity Research Center of the Californias , Department of Paleontology, San Diego Natural History Museum. His field-based research focuses on vertebrate paleoceology, taphonomy and mammalian biostratigraphy with an emphasis on the Bridgerian-Uintan transition in Wyoming , Utah and Colorado . See the Bridger Basin Project website for more information. As a paleontological consultant and a researcher active on federally-administered lands, Dr. Murphey has a broad interest in paleontological resource management and related land use issues.

     Dr. Murphey is also a co-founder of the Voices of Nature Project, a database of georegistered digital audio recordings from environments around the world. The first CD in the Voices of Nature series, entitled Audio Imaging Australia (Volume I), as well as sample sounds, are available at the Voices of Nature website. He is also an avid pianist, synthesist and recording engineer; a sailing and scuba diving enthusiast; and he makes a damn fine margarita.