Geof Hannigan, PhD

Geof Hannigan, PhD, is an accomplished scientist and business leader at Merck, currently serving as the Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Merck Digital Sciences Studio. He also holds the position of Director of Merck Technology Partnerships. His work primarily focuses on leveraging computational biology, machine learning, and data science to drive innovation in drug discovery and development.

Education and Background

• Bachelor’s Degree in Cell & Molecular Biology from the University of Minnesota Duluth (2007-2011).
• PhD in Cell & Molecular Biology from the University of Pennsylvania (2011-2015).
• Completed postdoctoral training at the University of Michigan.

Professional Experience

• Merck Digital Sciences Studio: As Executive Director, Hannigan leads a startup accelerator program aimed at enhancing digital capabilities in life sciences. He has been instrumental in connecting Merck's resources with early-stage companies to foster innovation.23
• Principal Scientist at Merck Research Labs: In this role, he oversees research that integrates computational methods with molecular biology to support drug discovery efforts. He has contributed to significant projects, including the development of the DeepBGC algorithm for identifying biosynthetic gene clusters.34
• Prior roles include Associate Principal Scientist at Merck and Scientific Advisor for SmartPhage, where he facilitated collaborations and explored funding opportunities for biotech innovations.45

Research Contributions

Dr. Hannigan has published numerous research papers focusing on topics such as microbial ecology, cancer virome dynamics, and machine learning applications in genomics. His work has been recognized for its impact on understanding biological systems through computational approaches.12

Overall, Geof Hannigan's expertise lies at the intersection of science and technology, making him a pivotal figure in advancing Merck's digital initiatives within the pharmaceutical landscape.