Dr. Murphy attended the University of Chicago where he received a B.A. in Chemistry (1965). He then attended the University of Denver where he earned his Masters degree in Mathematics (1968). Dr. Murphy completed his Doctoral studies in Biostatistics at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland (1977).

From 1988-1990, Dr. Murphy served on the Governor's Task Force on the Health Effects of the Nuclear Weapons Plant.

From 1990-1992 Dr. Murphy was on the External Review Committee for the Clinical Research Management and Analysis Core at the Minnesota Clinical Dental Research Center.