Dr Murphy is a UCC Biochemistry graduate who completed her doctoral training in Cell Biology at NUI Galway (1993). Following a postdoctoral fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, she returned to Ireland as a Newman Scholar in Rheumatology and established her research group at the UCD Education Research Centre (ERC) in St Vincent’s University Hospital. In 2002 she was appointed Lecturer in biochemistry and physiology in the UCD Veterinary Medical School and promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2006 and Associate Professor in 2014. Evelyn was involved in the teaching and assessment of graduate entry Veterinary Medicine programme established at UCD in 2008 and served as Section Head of Veterinary Biosciences from 2011-2014. Evelyn’s research group has focused on elucidating the role of orphan nuclear receptors in human inflammatory diseases, particularly arthritis and psoriasis. 

BSc, PhD

Professional Experience: 

Teaching Experience

Evelyn considers teaching at undergraduate and graduate level to be a fundamentally important and rewarding part of her work as an academic. She is committed to the concept of evidence-based and research-led teaching which she strives to incorporate into her teaching to promote scaffolded active learning.  She uses annual student feedback and overall class performances in assessments/examinations to continuously modify and improve her approach and style of teaching.  Allied to this, she utilises a range of assessment techniques to encourage the best performance from students and assist them in achieving their learning outcomes. Dr Murphy was involved in the establishment and development of the UCD Graduate Entry Veterinary Medicine degree programme and subsequent accreditation by the Veterinary Council of Ireland, the European Association for Veterinary Education and the American Veterinary Medical Association. 

Research Interests: 

Over the last 20 years, Dr Murphy’s research group has been elucidating the transcriptional role of orphan nuclear receptors in acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. This research area is highly translational and using strategic collaborations with clinicians and global research leaders, she aims to ensure this basic research area is firmly grounded in clinical relevance.  She is a member of the European EULAR Centre of Excellence, Dublin Centre for Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases. Her research has been supported with research grant income from the Health Research Board and Science Foundation Ireland including a Principal Investigator award in 2010. She has a track record in securing extramural support for her research and has been awarded approx. €2.8m in research grant support (€2.20m as principal investigator).  

Publications

Publications in refereed journals

Murphy EP, Crean D. NR4A1-3 nuclear receptor activity and immune cell dysregulation in rheumatic diseases. Frontiers in Medicine. 2022 Jul 22;9:874182. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2022.874182. PMID: 35935773; PMCID: PMC9354819.

Phelan DE, Shigemura M, Aldhafiri S, Mota C, Hall TJ, Sznajder JI, Murphy EP, Crean D, Cummins EP. Transcriptional Profiling of Monocytes Deficient in Nuclear Orphan Receptors NR4A2 and NR4A3 Reveals Distinct Signalling Roles Related to Antigen Presentation and Viral Response. Frontiers in Immunology. 2021 Jun 25;12:676644. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.676644. PMID: 34248958; PMCID: PMC8267906

Phelan DE, Shigemura M, Aldhafiri S, Mota C, Hall TJ, Sznajder JI, Murphy EP, Crean D, Cummins EP Transcriptional profiling of monocytes deficient in Nuclear Orphan Receptors NR4A2 and NR4A3 reveals distinct signaling roles related to antigen presentation and viral response. Frontier Immunology 2021. June. In press.

Giffney HE, Cummins EP, Murphy EP, Brayden DJ, Crean D.Protein kinase D, ubiquitin and proteasome pathways are involved in adenosine receptor-stimulated NR4A expression in myeloid cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2021 May 28;555:19-25. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.03.082. Epub 2021 Mar 31. PMID: 33812054.

Ismaiel M, Murphy B, Aldhafiri S, Giffney HE, Thornton K, Mukhopadhya A, Keogh CE, Fattah S, Mohan HM, Cummins EP, Murphy EP, Winter DC, Crean D.The NR4A agonist, Cytosporone B, attenuates pro-inflammatory mediators in human colorectal cancer tissue ex vivo. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2021 May 21;554:179-185. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.03.110. Epub 2021 Mar 30. PMID: 33798945.

Crean D, Murphy EP. Targeting NR4A Nuclear Receptors to Control Stromal Cell Inflammation, Metabolism, Angiogenesis, and Tumorigenesis. Frontiers Cell Dev Biol. 2021 Feb 9;9:589770. doi: 10.3389/fcell.2021.589770. PMID: 33634114; PMCID: PMC7901948.

Smyth A, Gogarty M, Crean D and Murphy EP. Subcellular Localization of NR4A2 Orphan Nuclear Receptor Expression in Human and Mouse Synovial Joint Tissue Nuclear Receptors. Methods Molecular Biology. 2019. vol; 1966:9194. PMID: 31041736

McEvoy C, de Gaetano M, Giffney HE, Bahar B, Cummins EP, Brennan EP, Barry M, Belton O, Godson CG, Murphy EP, Crean D. Receptors Differentially Regulate NF-κB Signaling in Myeloid Cells.  Frontiers in Immunology, 2017. 8 (7). PMID: 28167941 

Crean D, Cummins EP, Bahar B, Mohan H, McMorrow JP, Murphy EP.  Adenosine Modulates NR4A Orphan Nuclear Receptors To Attenuate Hyperinflammatory Responses in Monocytic Cells.  Journal of Immunology, 2015. 195 (4):1436-1448. PMID: 26150530 

Murphy EP, Crean D (2015) 'Molecular Interactions between NR4A Orphan Nuclear Receptors and NF-kB Are Required for Appropriate Inflammatory Responses and Immune Cell Homeostasis'.  Biomolecules, 2015. 5 (3):1302-1318. PMID: 26131976 

Biniecka M, Connolly M, Gao W, Ng CT, Balogh E, Gogarty M, Santos L, Murphy EP, Brayden D, Veale DJ, Fearon U. (2014) Redox mediated angiogenesis in the hypoxic joint of inflammatory arthritis.   Arthritis Rheumatology. 2014 Dec; 66 (12):3300-10. PMID: 25155522 

McMorrow JP, Crean D, Gogarty M, Smyth A, Connolly M, Cummins E, Veale D, Fearon U, Tak PP,  Fitzgerald O, and Murphy EP.  Inflammatory resolution modulates Thrombospondin-1 expression in human inflammatory joint disease through altered NR4A2 activity.  American Journal Pathology.2013.  183 (4):1243-1257 

Sinéad M. Ryan, Jason McMorrow, Hetal B. Patel, Kristin N. Kornerup, Anita Umerska,Lidia Tajber, Evelyn P Murphy, Mauro Perretti, Owen, I.  Corrigan, & David J. Brayden.  An intra-articular calcitonin-based nanocomplex reduces KBxN inflammatory arthritis.  Journal Controlled Release. 2013. 167 (2):120-129. PMID:23391443 

Marzaioli V, McMorrow JP, AngererH, GilmoreA, ZoccoD, McEvoyAN, Veale D, Fearon U, StradnerMH and Murphy EP. Histamine contributes to increased RANKL/OPG ratio through altered NR4A activity in human chondrocyte cells.  Arthritis and Rheumatology. 2012. 64 (10):3290-3301. PMID: 22674155

Mohan H, Aherne CM,  Baird AW, Winters D and Murphy EP. The Role of NR4A Orphan Nuclear Receptors in Cancer.  Clinical Cancer Research. 2012. Jun 15;18(12):3223-8. PMID: 22566377 

Mix KS, McMahon K, McMorrow JP, Walkenhorst D , Smyth AM, Petrella BL, Gogarty M, Fearon U, Veale D, Attur MG, Abramson SB and Murphy EP. Orphan nuclear receptor NR4A2 induces synoviocyte proliferation, invasion, and MMP-13 transcription. Arthritis and Rheumatology. 2012. Jul;64(7):2126-36. PMID: 22275273  

McMorrow J and Murphy EP. Inflammation: a role for NR4A receptors.  Biochem. Soc. Trans.2011; 39, 688–693. PMID: 21428963 

Zocco D, McMorrow JP and Murphy EP. Histamine modulation of peripheral CRH receptor type 1alpha expression is dependent on Ca(2+) signalling and NF-kappaB/p65 transcriptional activity. Molecular Immunology. 2010 Apr;47(7-8):1426-37. PMID:  20233629 

Ralph JA, Ahmed AU, Santos LL, Clark AR, McMorrow J, Murphy EP, Morand EF. Identification of NURR1 as a Mediator of MIF Signaling During Chronic Arthritis. Effects on Glucocorticoid-Induced MKP1.  American Journal of Pathology.2010; 177 (5):2366-2378.PMID: 20829434  

Aherne CM, McMorrow J, KaneK, FitzGeraldO, Mix KS and MurphyEP. Identification of NR4A2 as a transcriptional activator of IL-8 expression in human inflammatory arthritis.  Molecular Immunology. 2009. 46, 3345-3357. PMID: 19732956. 

Keely S, Ryan SM, Haddleton DM, Limer A, Mantovani G, Murphy EP, Colgan SP, Brayden DJ. Dexamethasone-pDMAEMA polymeric conjugates reduce inflammatory biomarkers in human intestinal epithelial monolayers. Journal of Controlled Release. 2009 Apr 2;135(1):35-43. PMID: 19110018 

Anquetin G, Rawe SL, McMahon K, Murphy EP, Murphy PV. Synthesis of novel migrastatin and dorrigocin A analogues from D-glucal.  Chemistry. 2008;14(5):1592-600. PMID: 18038383. 

O’Kane M, Markham T, McEvoy A, Fearon, U, Veale D, FitzGerald O, Kirby B and Murphy EP. Increased expression of the orphan nuclear receptor NURR1 in psoriasis and modulation following TNF-α inhibition.  Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 2008. Feb;128(2):300-10. PMID: 17671512 

Fitzgerald DC, Meade KG, McEvoy AN, Lillis L, Murphy EP, McHugh DE, Baird AW. Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) increases nuclear factor kappaB (NFkappaB) activity in and interleukin-8 (IL-8) release from bovine mammary epithelial cells.  VeterinaryImmunology and Immunopathology. 2007 Mar 15;116(12):59-68. PMID: 17276517 

Ralph J, Zocco D, Bresnihan B, FitzGerald O, McEvoy A and Murphy EP.  A role for Type 1 alpha CRH receptors in mediating local changes in chronically inflamed tissue.  American Journal of Pathology. 2007. Mar;170(3):1121-33. PMID: 17322394  

Mix K, Mukundan G, Al-Mussawir H, Abramson SB, Brinckerhoff CE and Murphy EP. Transcriptional regulation of matrix metalloproteinase gene expression by the orphan nuclear receptor NURR1 in cartilage.   Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2007. Mar 30;282(13):9492-504. PMID: 17283078 

Rawe SL, Doyle D, Zaric V, Rozas I, McMahon K, Tosin M, Bunz HM, Murphy EP, O' Boyle KM, Murphy PV. N-Glycosyl-thiophene-2-carboxamides: synthesis, structure and effects on the growth of diverse cell types.  Carbohydrate Research. 2006 24;341(10):1370-90. PMID: 16716276 

O'Kane M, Murphy EP, Kirby B. The role of corticotropin-releasing hormone in immune-mediated cutaneous inflammatory disease. Experimental Dermatology. 2006 Mar;15(3):143-53. PMID: 16480421 

Ralph J, McEvoy A, Kane D, Bresnihan B, FitzGerald O and Murphy EP. Modulation of orphan nuclear receptor NURR1 expression by methotrexate in human inflammatory joint disease involves adenosine A2A receptor mediated responses.   Journal of Immunology.  2005. 175, 555-565. PMID: 15972692 

McEvoy A, Bresnihan B, FitzGerald O and Murphy EP. COX-2-derived prostaglandin E2 production by CRH contributes to the activated cAMP Response Element Binding Protein (CREB) content in Rheumatoid Arthritis synovial tissue.  Arthritis and Rheumatism. 2004. 50, 1132-1145. PMID: 15077295.  

O’Hara R, Murphy EP, Whitehead A.S., FitzGerald O. and Bresnihan B. Local expression of SAA and FPRLi genes in synovial tissue is associated with MMP production in inflammatory arthritis.  Arthritis and Rheumatism. 2004 50, 1788-1799. PMID: 15188355. 

Benito MJ, Murphy E, Murphy EP, FitzGerald O, van den Berg W, Bresnihan B.   Increased NF-kB1 (p50) expression at sites adjacent to the cartilage-pannus junction in rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis and Rheumatism. 2004. 50, 1781-1787. PMID: 15188354. 

Gallagher J, Howlin J, Mc Carthy C, Murphy EP, Bresnihan B, FitzGerald O, Godson C, Brady HR and Finian Martin. Identification of Naf1/ABIN-1 among TNF-alpha-induced expressed genes in human synoviocytes using oligonucleotide microarrays.  FEBS Letters. 2003 551, 8-12. PMID: 12965196. 

McEvoy A, Conneely O.M., Bresnihan B., FitzGerald O and Murphy EP.  Activation of nuclear orphan receptor NURR1 transcription by NFB and CREB in rheumatoid arthritis synovial tissue.  Journal of Immunology. 2002 168, 2979-2987. PMID: 11884470  

McEvoy A., Bresnihan B, FitzGerald O and Murphy EP. Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone signaling in vasculature is mediated through the cAMP/CREB pathway.  Annals New York Academy of Science. 2002 966, 119-130.PMID: 12114266. 

McEvoy A, Bresnihan B, FitzGerald O and Murphy EP.  Corticotropin  Releasing Hormone (CRH) signaling in synovial tissue from patients with early inflammatory arthritis is mediated by the type 1 CRH receptor.  Arthritis and Rheumatism. 2001 44, 1761-1767. PMID: 11508426.  

Murphy EP, McEvoy A, Conneely OM, Bresnihan B and Fitzgerald O.  Involvement of the nuclear orphan receptor NURR1 in the regulation of Corticotropin Releasing Hormone expression and actions in human inflammatory arthritis. Arthritis and Rheumatism.2001 44, 782-793. PMID: 11315917. 

O’Hara R, Murphy EP, Whitehead A.S., FitzGerald O. and Bresnihan B. Acute phase serum amyloid A production by rheumatoid arthritis synovial tissue.  Arthritis Research. 2000 140-144. PMID: 11062604. 

Eijsbouts A and Murphy EP. The role of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis in Rheumatoid Arthritis.  Ballieres Clinical Rheumatology.1999. 13, 599-613. PMID: 10652642. 

Murphy EP. and Conneely O.M. Neuroendocrine regulation of the Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal Axis by the NURR1/NUR77 subfamily of nuclear receptors.  Molecular Endocrinology. 1997 16, 39-47. PMID: 8994186. 

Murphy EP., Dobson A.D.W., Keller C. and Conneely O.M. Differential regulation of transcription by the NURR1/NUR77 subfamily of nuclear transcription factors.  Gene Expression. 1996 5, 169-179. PMID: 8882640


International conference proceedings: selection from 2002-2015 

Mohan H, Cotter M,, Sheahan K, Crean D, Ryan E Baird AW and Murphy EP, Winters D. 2015. NR4A2 orphan nuclear receptors in stage II colon cancer. Irish Journal Medical Science. 184, S37-38. 

Crean D and Murphy EP. Adenosine signalling through the NR4A subfamily of orphan nuclear receptors attenuates pro-inflammatory gene expression. . 2014.  Purinergic Signalling. 10 (4), 683-683 

Smyth A and Murphy EP. Differential expression of AMPK, PGC1a and NR4A2 in inflammatory arthritis. 2013. Cell Immuno Metabolism, vol 2, p9.  

Mohan H, Cotter M,, Sheahan K, Crean D, Ryan E Baird AW and Murphy EP. 2013 NR4A Orphan nuclear receptors in colorectal cancer. ish Journal Medical Science. 182, S343344. 

Irwin JA, Murphy EP, Gallagher ME, Ryan MT, Gaines S, McMahon M 2013  Biochemistry teaching in veterinary medicine: the UCD experience  Veterinary Education Symposium 2013 vol2 p45. 

Gilmore, A.; Marzaioli, V.; McMorrow, J. P., Murphy EP. 2012 Histamine contributes to increased RANKL/OPG ratio through altered NR4a activity in human chondrocyte cells. Inflammation Reseach. Vol: 61   Suppl: 2   Pages: S66-S66. 

McMorrow JP, Fearon U, Veale D,  Fitzgerald O and Murphy EP. 2010. Contribution of NR4A2 Gene Expression in the Modulation of Thrombospondin-1 in Human Joint Disease. Arthritis and Rheumatism 62 (10) 1508.  

Ryan, S. M., McMorrow, J. P., Murphy, E. P. & Brayden, D. J.; (2010) Salmon calcitonin reduces expression of a novel biomarker family in inflammatory arthritis:a new target for controlled release formulations?  Transactions of the 37th Int. Soc. Controlled Release Society, Portland, Oregon  

McMorrow JP, Evelyn P. Murphy EP, Cronstein BN. (2010) Identification of the NR4A family of orphan nuclear receptors as mediators of adenosine A2A receptor activation.  Arthritis and Rheumatism 62(10)1522 

Marzaioli V, Jason P. McMorrow, Alice McEvoy and Murphy EP.; (2010) Histamine contributes to inflammatory joint disease by regulating the expression of RANKL and OPG through altered NR4A activity in human chondrocyte cells  Arthritis and Rheumatism 62 (10)1482  

Ryan, SM, McMorrow, J., Murphy, E.P. & Brayden, D. J. ; (2009) Salmon calcitonin as a potential therapeutic for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.  36th Int. Soc. Controlled Release Society, Copenhagen  

Ryan SM, McMorrow JP, Murphy EP and Brayden DJ; (2009) Salmon calcitonin as a potential therapeutic for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.   Proc. Intern. Symposium. Control. Rel. Bioact. Mat vol45 pp121 

Zocco, D., Murphy, E. P., (2008) Histamine modulates the expression of corticotrophinreleasing-hormone receptor type I in human inflammatory arthritis.  Journal of Neuroimmunology,197 pp.171 

McMorrow, J. P., Murphy, E. P., (2008) Transcriptional repression of thrombospondin-1 gene expression by NR4A2 in inflammatory joint disease. Journal of Neuroimmunology, 197 pp.172  

Gogarty, M, Murphy, EP, Fearon, U, Veale, DJ, Bresnihan, B, FitzGerald, O, (2007) Placenta growth factor (PLGF) expression in inflammatory arthritis. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 66(1) A35-36. 

O'Kane, M., Kirby, B., FitzGerald, O. & Murphy, E.P. (2006) Corticotropin-releasing hormone, corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor and NURR1 are increased in psoriasis.  British Journal of Dermatology, Vol 155(1): S30. 

Mix, K.S., Brinckerhoff, C.E. & Murphy, E.P.(2005) Orphan nuclear receptor NURR1 represses matrix metalloproteinase-1 transcription in chondrocytes ARTHRITIS AND RHEUMATISM . 52 (9): S1207-S1208. 

Aherne, C.M., Mix, K.S. & Murphy, E.P. (2005) Modulation of the transcriptional activity of the nuclear receptor NURR1 by pro-inflammatory mediators.  ARTHRITIS AND RHEUMATISM  52 (9): S707-S708. 

Gogarty, M., Murphy, E.P., Veale, D., Bresnihan, B., FitzGerald, O. (2005) Alternative splicing of the VEGFR-1 (flt-1) and its ligands in human inflammatory arthritis . ARTHRITIS AND RHEUMATISM. 52 (9): S312-S313. 

Ralph, JA. McEvoy, A N. Kane D, FitzGerald O and Murphy EP. (2005)  Orphan receptor NURR1 expression by methotrexate in human inflammatory joint disease involves adenosine receptor mediated responses. INFLAMMATION RESEARCH  Vol:54 :S179. 

Ralph J, McEvoy A, Kane D, Bresnihan B, FitzGerald O and Murphy E P; (2004) Modulation of orphan nuclear receptor NURR1 expression by methotrexate in human inflammatory joint disease. ARTHRITIS AND RHEUMATISM. 48 (9),S678. 

Gogarty, M., Murphy, E.P., Veale, D., Bresnihan, B., FitzGerald, O.; 2002. VEGF receptors KDR/Flk-1 and Flt-1 are expressed by distinct cell populations in inflamed synovium.  ARTHRITIS AND RHEUMATISM  46 (9), S568. 

McEvoy A, Bresnihan B, FitzGerald O and Murphy E.P. (2002) COX-2-derived prostaglandin E2 production by CRH contributes to the activated cAMP Response Element Binding Protein content in Rheumatoid Arthritis synovial tissue.  ARTHRITIS AND RHEUMATISM. 46 (9), S432. 

Ralph JA, McEvoy AN, Bresnihan B, FitzGerald O and Murphy E.P.  (2002) Modulation of type 1 CRH receptor expression by inflamed human synovial tissue: Involvement in the pathological changes associated with increased vascular permeability.  ARTHRITIS AND RHEUMATISM.46 (9), S1453. 

Published and Licensed Patent

“Therapeutic approaches to disease by modulation of the NR4A/NURR subfamily of nuclear transcription factors”.  Inventors: Evelyn P. Murphy, Orla M. Conneely, Oliver FitzGerald and Barry Bresnihan.  Publication no: US 2002/0049151A1. 

Research/Fellowship Awards: 

1997: Newman Fellowship in Rheumatology

2001: European Young Investigator (EULAR) Award in Rheumatology for Original Research Project. 

2001 and 2004: Royal Academy Medicine (RAMI) Award Rheumatology for Original Research Publication. 

2003: Presidents Research Award (UCD). 

Higher Degree Supervision: 

PhD students and their current positions 

2011-2015 Aisling Smyth, PhD student. Lecturer, Edith Cowan University. Perth. Australia. 

2010-2015 Alyssa Gilmore, PhD student. Postdoctoral Fellow, Imperial College London.  2007-2011 Viviana Marzaioli, PhD student. Newman Fellow, TCD, Dublin. 

2005-2009 Davide Zocco, PhD student. Head of Operations, Exosomic, Italy. 

2003-2007 Carol Aherne, PhD student. Instructor. School of Medicine, Colorado. USA. 

2005-2010 Martina Gogarty, PhD co-supervisor. SFI Fellow. Science Foundation Ireland.

2001-2005 Jennifer Ralph, PhD student. Medical Affairs Manager (Rheumatology), Roche.

1998-2002 Alice McEvoy, PhD student. Lecturer, Technical University Ireland. Dublin.

1997-2001 Rosemary O’Hara. PhD co-supervisor, Lecturer, Carlow Institute Technology.