Appointment of Dean, School of Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

TO: UMMC Faculty, Staff and Students

FROM: Dr. Scott Rodgers, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT: Appointment of Dean, School of Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences

I am happy to announce that Dr. Sydney Murphy, associate dean for academic affairs, School of Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences, has been appointed dean, effective July 1.

Dr. Murphy replaces Dr. Joey Granger, who will retire June 30 after 17 years as dean of SGSHS and 33 years at the Medical Center.

Dr. Murphy serves in several roles at UMMC. In addition to being associate dean, she is director of the SGSHS Office of Post-doctoral Studies and associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology, with a secondary appointment as associate professor of population health sciences. 

She has dedicated her entire professional career to the Medical Center, beginning as an instructor of pharmacology and toxicology in 2012 and promotion two years later to assistant professor. That same year, she was appointed assistant dean of academic affairs, a role she held while serving as associate dean of academic and faculty affairs in the John D. Bower School of Population Health. 

A graduate of Mississippi State University with a BS in biochemistry and molecular biology, Dr. Murphy earned two advanced degrees at UMMC: MS in biomedical sciences and PhD in physiology and biophysics. Dr. Murphy also completed a post-doctoral research fellowship in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology.

In addition to her 23 journal articles that focus mainly on hypertension and preeclampsia, Dr. Murphy has been awarded more than $1 million in funding from grantors including the American Heart Association and National Institutes of Health.

Her UMMC honors include a bronze Excellence in Research medal in 2018 and recognition as a Diversity and Inclusion Champion in 2021. In 2019, the Mississippi Business Journal named her to its Top 40 Under 40 ranking.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Murphy on her new role. I am confident her promotion will ensure a seamless transition for the Graduate School.

I am grateful for Dr. Granger’s dedication to the Medical Center and stellar career, perhaps best exemplified by multiple leadership roles, national and international recognition, millions in grant funding and numerous awards. His selfless leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing the Medical Center’s mission are deeply appreciated, and I wish him well in his retirement.

Thank you.