Katie received her Ph.D. in 2012 from the University of Minnesota. Her thesis work focused on developing an effective immunotherapy for brain tumors. She is now a postdoctoral associate in the laboratory of Dr. Tom Griffith studying how response to cancer immunotherapy is complicated by obesity. Dr. Murphy has assisted the Office of Education and Community Engagement within the Masonic Cancer Center with education and outreach projects; she has participated in seminar development, networking events, and laboratory tours for high school students. She has also been involved with the PDA at the University of Minnesota and volunteered at the UMN STEM Academy. She is dedicated to raising awareness of gender bias and sexual harassment in the workplace and is committed to supporting women in STEM fields.