Maj. Eric Murphy will speak at a lecture hosted by the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences called “Careers in Mathematics” Thursday, Nov. 11, from 4 to 4:50 p.m. in 3108 Jesse Knight Building at Brigham Young University.
Murphy will discuss how he uses his math background and operations research to determine how to best deploy troops and military supplies in his work in the Department of Defense.
An operations research analyst specializing in warfighting analysis, Murphy assesses alternatives for military force composition and strategic posture. He advises the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who in turn advise the President of the United States.
His research includes genetic algorithms, control theory, complexity and game theory as they apply to national security and force structure.
Murphy received degrees in English literature and mathematics from Eastern New Mexico University and earned a doctorate in mathematics from Texas Tech University. His wife, Rachel, also holds a doctorate in mathematics and participated in the 2001 BYU Summer Math Institute.
For more information, contact Michael Dorff at (801) 422-1752 or mdorff@math.byu.edu.
Writer: Philip Volmar
