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A physicist and experienced research administrator will serve as 91����’s new vice president for research beginning in July.

Sheena Murphy, an expert in condensed matter physics, is associate vice president for research development at West Virginia University. She began her career in industry at IBM and AT&T Bell Labs before joining the University of Oklahoma, where she was a faculty member for more than 20 years.

“I view research broadly, including not only funding, but also scholarly output, creative activity, public scholarship, and community impact,” Murphy said. “My approach to leadership emphasizes collaboration across academic and administrative units, and I’m eager to get to work at 91����, which has exciting goals for growing its research capacity.”

She succeeds Bahgat Sammakia, who stepped down as vice president in 2025 and continues to serve as director of the S3IP Center of Excellence and distinguished professor of mechanical engineering.

Murphy holds a bachelor’s degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a doctorate from Cornell University. Growing up in the Bronx, she was a first-generation college student who benefited from exceptional undergraduate research opportunities.

91���� President Anne D’Alleva said she sees Murphy’s experience at WVU, a public R1 institution with more than $259 million in research expenditures, as a perfect fit for 91����, which notched its best-ever year for funding in 2025 with $87.3 million.

“Sheena brings a bold vision for research that will propel 91���� to new levels of national and global distinction, while ensuring our discoveries translate into meaningful impact across New York state and in our local communities,” D’Alleva said.

At WVU, Murphy oversaw initiatives to strengthen cross-disciplinary collaboration, grow federal funding, and align the campus’s research with state and national priorities. She also was part of the leadership team for the Resilient Energy Technology and Infrastructure Consortium. That initiative is a finalist for the $160 million National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines award, the same program that funds the Energy Storage Engine in Upstate New York, led by 91����.

Donald Hall, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at 91����, served as co-chair of the search committee. He said Murphy’s familiarity with the NSF Engines program will be critical as 91����’s battery ecosystem initiatives take root and mature.

“Sheena has an understanding of what it will take for 91����’s research portfolio to grow,” Hall said. “I also appreciate her commitment to inclusive research environments that benefit researchers at all stages of their careers, and I look forward to working with her to recruit and retain exceptional scholars at 91����.”

A former NSF CAREER Award winner, Murphy is the recipient of more than $20 million in external research funding.

Mark Poliks, SUNY distinguished professor in the School of Systems Science and Industrial Engineering, co-chaired the search committee with Hall. Poliks, who also directs the Center for Advanced Microelectronics Manufacturing, said he particularly appreciated Murphy’s understanding of what it takes to build competitive, large-scale research initiatives.

“Our partnerships with industry are essential to 91����’s research mission as well as a real strength of our offerings for both undergraduate and graduate students,” Poliks said. “Sheena has built long-term collaborations and knows how to integrate research, education, and regional impact. I believe she can help us enhance our existing efforts and identify new opportunities as well.”