Jason Uslaner

VP Head of Neuroscience at Merck

Jason Uslaner is the Vice President and Head of Neuroscience at Merck & Co., where he leads efforts in discovering novel treatments for various Central Nervous System (CNS) diseases, including neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. His current role, which he has held since January 2021, involves overseeing research aimed at identifying new therapeutic targets and developing innovative treatment strategies using both small molecules and biologics.1 2

Educational Background

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley (1993-1997).
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Biopsychology from the University of Michigan (1998-2003).

Career at Merck

Uslaner has been with Merck since 2006, progressing through various roles:

Senior Biologist (2006-2009): Focused on developing in vivo assays for neuroscience drug discovery.
Team Leader, Central Pharmacology (2009-2012): Managed teams working on psychiatric disorder therapeutics.
Director, In Vivo Pharmacology (2012-2016): Led clinical neuroscience research programs.
Executive Director, Neuroscience, Pain and Symptomatics (2016-2021): Oversaw a team dedicated to treatments for conditions such as Alzheimer's and schizophrenia.2 4

Contributions and Collaborations

Uslaner has been instrumental in establishing strategic collaborations, such as a significant partnership with Cerevance aimed at identifying novel targets for Alzheimer's disease. This collaboration leverages Cerevance’s advanced technology platform to explore therapeutic avenues that could lead to transformative treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.3 1

Publications and Impact

He has authored over 70 scientific papers and book chapters throughout his career, contributing to advancements in neuroscience research and drug development. His work is recognized within the pharmaceutical industry for its impact on understanding and treating CNS conditions.1 2