Academic Credentials
  • Ph.D., Geosciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 2013
  • M.S., Geosciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 2009
  • B.S., Geological Sciences, Salem State University, 2006
Licenses & Certifications
  • Licensed Professional Geologist (GA)
  • Licensed Professional Geologist (NH)
  • Licensed Professional Geologist (PA)
  • Licensed Professional Geologist (TX)
Academic Appointments
  • Visiting Lecturer, Department of Geological Sciences, Salem State University (2013-2018)
  • Visiting Lecturer, Environmental Sciences Program, Stonehill College (2014-2018)
  • Visiting Lecturer, Environmental Science Program, Endicott College (2017)
Professional Honors
  • Winner of Gloria Radke Memorial Award for Research at Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst 2012
  • Recipient of first US Visiting Student Fellowship; Institute of Rock Magnetism, Univ. of Minnesota, Minneapolis 2009
  • Massachusetts Space Grant Consortium research grant award 2007, 2008, and 2009
Professional Affiliations
  • American Geophysical Union (AGU)
  • Geological Society of America (GSA)
  • Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists (AEG)
  • American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
  • Association of Women Geoscientists (AWG)
  • American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG)

Dr. Murdock is a geologist with experience in geophysics, mineralogy, environmental geology, and geological and geomorphic site characterization by means of field mapping, aerial photo analysis, and subsurface investigations. She has technical experience in optical and petrographical methods of rock and mineral identification, cross section and geologic map preparation and analysis, and surveying sites using aerial photographs, aeromagnetic maps, and gravitational anomaly maps. 

Dr. Murdock has used ground penetrating radar and electrical resistivity for near-surface investigations, as well as interpreted geochemical data for rock, sediment, and soil analysis. She also has expertise in rock magnetism as a nondestructive tool for mineral identification, including its application to geologic reconstructions of past environments, variations in sediment transport, climatic changes, and tectonic events. Additional areas of interest for Dr. Murdock include rock mechanics, ore and mineral quality assessment, oil and gas recovery and transport, and the evaluation of landslides.

Prior to joining Exponent, Dr. Murdock was a Visiting Lecturer teaching geology, geophysics, planetary, and environmental science courses. Her doctoral work focused on using rock magnetic measurements to determine changes in mineralogy of Arctic lakes that could be used to determine environmental and climatic shifts in the region over the past million years. Dr. Murdock has extensive experience in magnetic investigations using MPMS, VSM, cryogenic magnetometers, and high- and room-temperature MS systems.