A physicist and skilled research administrator will function Binghamton University’s new vp for research starting in July.
Sheena Murphy, an knowledgeable in condensed matter physics, is affiliate vp for research growth at West Virginia University. She started her profession in trade at IBM and AT&T Bell Labs earlier than becoming a member of the University of Oklahoma, the place she was a school member for greater than 20 years.
“I view research broadly, including not only funding, but also scholarly output, creative activity, public scholarship, and community impact,” Murphy stated. “My approach to leadership emphasizes collaboration across academic and administrative units, and I’m eager to get to work at Binghamton, which has exciting goals for growing its research capacity.”
She succeeds Bahgat Sammakia, who stepped down as vp in 2025 and continues to function director of the S3IP Center of Excellence and distinguished professor of mechanical engineering.
Murphy holds a bachelor’s diploma from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a doctorate from Cornell University. Growing up within the Bronx, she was a first-generation school scholar who benefited from distinctive undergraduate research alternatives.
Binghamton President Anne D’Alleva stated she sees Murphy’s expertise at WVU, a public R1 establishment with greater than $259 million in research expenditures, as an ideal match for Binghamton, which notched its best-ever yr for funding in 2025 with $87.3 million.
“Sheena brings a bold vision for research that will propel Binghamton 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 stated.
At WVU, Murphy oversaw initiatives to strengthen cross-disciplinary collaboration, develop federal funding, and align the campus’s research with state and nationwide priorities. She additionally was a part of the management group 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 identical program that funds the Energy Storage Engine in Upstate New York, led by Binghamton University.
Donald Hall, provost and govt vp for tutorial affairs at Binghamton, served as co-chair of the search committee. He stated Murphy’s familiarity with the NSF Engines program will likely be crucial as Binghamton’s battery ecosystem initiatives take root and mature.
“Sheena has an understanding of what it will take for Binghamton’s research portfolio to grow,” Hall stated. “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 Binghamton.”
A former NSF CAREER Award winner, Murphy is the recipient of greater than $20 million in exterior research funding.
Mark Poliks, SUNY distinguished professor within the School of Systems Science and Industrial Engineering, co-chaired the search committee with Hall. Poliks, who additionally directs the Center for Advanced Microelectronics Manufacturing, stated he significantly appreciated Murphy’s understanding of what it takes to construct aggressive, large-scale research initiatives.
“Our partnerships with industry are essential to Binghamton’s research mission as well as a real strength of our offerings for both undergraduate and graduate students,” Poliks stated. “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.”