Melodie Christensen
Biography
Dr. Melodie Christensen serves as Director of Data-Rich Experimentation in Process Research & Development Enabling Technologies at Merck & Co., Inc., leading the development and deployment of AI-driven automation technologies that accelerate pharmaceutical process research. She earned her M.S. in Chemistry from American University (2004) and Ph.D. in Chemistry from The University of British Columbia (2022).
Beginning as a process chemist at Schering-Plough Research Institute in 2005, Dr. Christensen transitioned to Merck's Catalysis and Automation group in 2010, specializing in high-throughput experimentation and laboratory automation. Her doctoral research pioneered the integration of data science with custom laboratory automation, advancing self-driving labs, and autonomous process optimization across biocatalytic, chemocatalytic, photochemical, and electrochemical systems.
Dr. Christensen currently spearheads multidisciplinary AI initiatives bridging chemistry, automation, and data science, successfully implementing AI-driven experimental design throughout Merck's Process Research & Development organization. Her scientific impact encompasses extensive publications in premier journals, multiple patents, and over 18 invited presentations at major conferences. Her notable recognitions include the ACS Technical Achievement Award (2018) and JOC Outstanding Publication of the Year Lectureship (2017).
Committed to fostering innovative, collaborative environments, Dr. Christensen champions diversity in scientific organizations. Dr. Christensen is thrilled to be part of the Digital Discovery Editorial Board to facilitate the disclosure of cutting-edge research at the intersection of experimental and computational sciences.
番茄社区 affiliations
Editorial board, Digital Discovery