La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science
Robyn obtained her PhD at Deakin University, Melbourne in 2003. Her postdoctoral time was in the Department of Zoology, La Trobe University, where she held an NHMRC Peter Doherty Early Career Research Fellowship (2006-2009). In 2010, she began her academic career in Zoology and she progressed to Head of Department in Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe University and full professor in 2018. Robyn served as the National Secretary of the Australian Physiological Society (2010-2013) and served on Council (2009-2017). She currently sits on multiple Executive Committees within her University as well as internationally. Robyn is passionate about mentoring in a variety of capacities. Robyn has published over 85 peer-reviewed research articles. The overall research interest of the Murphy lab is in the area of skeletal muscle in health and disease, from a muscle biochemistry perspective, where they aim to understand proteins important for metabolic and overall muscle health. The laboratory's particular expertise is in being able to identify proteins in very small sample sizes. This allows the examination of the movement of specific proteins following micro-dissection of fibres, providing quantitative assessment of the redistribution of proteins with given interventions. This research provides mechanistic insight into how changes in protein abundance and/or their movements that occur as a result of exercise, disease and ageing can affect the ability of muscle to produce force and thereby confer strength and stability, as well as maintain metabolic health. Such understandings will contribute to understanding how we can maintain strong muscles for a healthy life.