Dennis Luke Murphy, M.D. (1936-2017).

Abstract

The name Dennis Murphy is known to everyone in monoamine research. His life's research was devoted to investigations of alterations in neurotransmitter systems in psychiatric disorders. He was a rare scientist who focused on all levels of research—basic, translational, and clinical—and spanning neurochemical, genetic, molecular, clinical pharmacology, and behavioral approaches. His early work included investigations on the mechanisms of action of levodopa,1-3 lithium,4, 5 and extensive research on monoamine oxidase (References 6-9 plus over 130 papers). He authored a seminal paper on the linked-polymorphic region in the serotonin transporter (SERT) gene promoter10—a hallmark in the “birth” of the field of psychiatric genetics. He developed the SERT knockout mouse,11-13 and used this and other genetic mouse models to investigate mood and anxiety disorders.14-16 His genetic work included functionality-informed candidate gene studies of the SERT gene SLC6A417, 18 and the neuronal glutamate transporter gene SLC1A1,19 and the genetics of obsessive–compulsive disorder.20 The list goes on. Over his career, he authored over 800 papers, more than 100 book chapters, and 4 books. Dr. Murphy's successes also include training and mentoring more than 100 students and fellows. The list of success stories of those he mentored is extensive, and includes chairs and professors of psychiatry and basic science departments around the world; impactful leaders serving as principal investigators and administrators in industry and government; and even a former NIMH Director. As a mentor, he strongly encouraged and supported a multidisciplinary environment of creativity and exploration, and enjoyed sharing opportunities to think outside the box. His command of the literature, and his insights into many areas of basic, translational, and clinical neuroscience, were second to none. As much enthusiasm as Dennis had for science, he had equal excitement for life outside the lab. He was an avid traveler, hiker, skier, and a tennis enthusiast; these activities were well known to his trainees and colleagues alike, who often joined Dennis on the slopes, the courts, or the Billy Goat Trail. For Dennis, photography could easily have been an equally successful second career. His personality and genuine interest in numerous non-scientific areas made every interaction, be it as a scientific mentor or friend, delightful and, more often than not, memorable. Dr. Murphy received his Bachelor of Science degree from Marquette University in 1958, his Medical and Master of Science degrees from the Medical College of Wisconsin in 1963, and he completed his residency in psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins University in 1966. He joined NIMH as a Clinical Fellow in 1966 and became Chief of the Clinical Neuropharmacology Branch in 1977, which was incorporated within the Laboratory of Clinical Science in 1983. Beyond his research, Dr. Murphy contributed significantly to the scientific community. He served on Editorial Boards for numerous journals, such as Biological Psychiatry, Neuropsychopharmacology, and Progress in Neuropsychopharmacology. In addition to extensive service at NIMH and NIH, he served on numerous Councils, Advisory Boards, and Consortia around the world. Examples include: the Riken Brain Science Institute (Tokyo); the Swedish Medical Research Council; the Ontario Mental Health Foundation; the National Alliance for Research in Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD); The Burroughs Wellcome Fund; the Howard Hughes Medical Institute; and, the German-Israeli Foundation for Scientific Research and Development. He was also a member of several professional societies, including the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP), the Collegium Internationale Neuropsychopharmacologium (CINP), and the American Society of Human Genetics. Dr. Murphy received numerous awards and distinctions throughout his career, including, among others: 2 Presidential Meritorious Executive Rank Awards; the U.S. Public Health Service's Superior Service Award; the Department of Health and Human Services' Distinguished Service Award; the Alcohol, Drug Abuse and Mental Health Administration's Meritorious Service Award; the American Psychiatric Association's Hofheimer Prize for Research; and, the Society for Biological Psychiatry's A.E. Bennett Award for Clinical Research. The legacy of Dr. Dennis Murphy extends far beyond his substantial body of research and his publications. Perhaps most importantly, his legacy is the many he trained and mentored and to whom he generously afforded opportunities, including the 3 authors of this brief chronicle of his life. The authors declare no potential conflict of interests.