Summary
Dr. Becky Murray is an instructor and coordinator at the University of Nevada, Reno Honors College. They lead HON 494, the Honors Signature Experience course, and coordinate the Professions in Medicine Certificate program, supporting students as they explore careers in medicine and health. As a licensed social worker, Dr. Murray integrates trauma‑informed practice and systemic analysis into their teaching, mentorship, and program development.
Dr. Murray’s path to the Honors College reflects a blend of scientific training, social‑work practice, and student‑centered teaching. They earned a PhD in Microbiology from the University of Virginia after earlier research experiences at UC San Diego and the National Institutes of Health. After completing their doctorate, Dr. Murray transitioned from laboratory research into higher‑education teaching and student support, joining the UNR Honors College as a Graduate Teaching Assistant before moving into their current roles. During this time, they completed a Master of Social Work and completed a practicum within the Honors College, developing a case management and mental wellness program. This interdisciplinary background now shapes their focus on how identity shifts, lived experience, and structural inequities influence students’ pathways through higher education and their ability to build a fulfilled life.
Education
- MSW, Social Work, University of Nevada, Reno
- Ph.D., Microbiology, University of Virgina School of Medicine
- B.S., Microbiology, University of California, San Diego