The Merck & UNC Research Forum is a chance for UNC graduate students, postdocs, scientists, staff, and faculty to share their current work with the campus research community and with R&D scientists from Merck.  

This 2 day event will feature speakers from Merck and academia, student and postdoc flash talks, poster sessions, and multiple networking and professional development opportunities.

If you would like to present a poster or give a short talk at the event please see the event website: https://tibbs.unc.edu/merck-unc-research-forum/

Symposium Agenda and other details are also available at the event website: https://tibbs.unc.edu/merck-unc-research-forum/

2026 Event Agenda:

Thursday, October 15 

8:00am              Merck UNC Research Forum and Idea Exchange Registration, Murray Hall, Ground Floor Lobby

8:30am              Welcome Remarks and Introduction to Merck – Kevin Gurney, Distinguished Scientist, Merck & Co., Inc., Murray Hall, Room G202

8:45am              Merck Science Keynote Address – Wenjun Liu, Principal Scientist, Merck & Co., Inc., Murray Hall, Room G202
                             Tentative Title: The Largest Small Molecule Drug: Manufacturing and Analysis of Enlicitide

9:45am              Coffee Break, Murray Hall, Ground Floor Lobby

10:00am            Talks from UNC postdocs and grad students, Murray Hall, Room G202

11:00am            UNC Research Poster Session I, Murray Hall, Ground Floor Lobby

11:45am            Networking Lunch with Merck Scientists, Murray Hall, Ground Floor Classrooms

12:45am            Breakout Discussions with Merck Scientists, Murray Hall, Ground Floor Classrooms

1:30pm              UNC Research Poster Session II, Murray Hall, Ground Floor Lobby

2:15pm              Panel with Merck Scientists – Discussing Career Opportunities in Industry, Murray Hall, Room G202

3:15pm              Coffee Break, Murray Hall, Ground Floor Lobby

3:30pm              Merck Keynote Address – Ray McClain, Senior Principal Scientist, Merck & Co., Inc., Murray Hall, Room G202
                             Tentative Title: Understanding the PCV Franchise: From Process, to Clinical, through Analysis.

4:15pm              Resume Review with Merck Scientists, Murray Hall, Ground Floor Classrooms