Julie Murphree

Dr. Julie Jo Murphree is a wildlife conservation biologist specializing in the ecological, social and economic aspects of the management of free-roaming horses on public lands in the American West. As an Assistant Teaching Professor at Arizona State University, she teaches and develops courses in Wildlife Management, Ethical and Policy Issues in Biology, Wildlife and Domestic Animal Nutrition, Equine Science and Captive Animal Behavior Management. Her expertise in wildlife nutrition focuses on foraging behavior where she has utilized controlled feeding trials in pygmy goats in order to evaluate the efficacy of DNA sequencing and microhistological analysis for diet determination in wild ruminants. 

Dr. Murphree’s current research, teaching, and mentoring efforts center on animal behavior and the human-animal bond, exploring how societal values and our understanding of animal cognition influence species-specific management strategies, both in captivity and in the wild. Through hands on learning, applied research, and community partnerships, she continuously provides her wildlife, pre-veterinary, and Barrett honors students with field experiences  and thesis opportunities that explore the ethical challenges at the intersection of animal welfare, animal rights, conservation biology, and public policy. Dr. Murphree is dedicated to educating the next generation of wildlife and animal science students, encouraging them to embrace a One Welfare approach that balances conservation goals with animal welfare. Her overarching goal is to incorporate enrichment strategies that enhance the well-being and quality of life for captive species, both human and non-human.

Dr. Murphree's master's degree in secondary education, with teacher certification in biology, examines curriculum development and instructional methods in science. Her experience teaching middle school science contributed to the development of her thesis which analyzes the role of situational interest on motivation and student success in science. Her approach, which introduces students to a wide range of career opportunities, has resulted in numerous success stories, helping students thrive in both wildlife conservation and veterinary fields.