How Merck is Successfully Partnering with Communities: Case Example

Kai Bode is a Principle Scientist at Merck Research Laboratories (MRL). In his role, Mr Bode supports the evaluation and implementation of digital health technologies for clinical research in an effort to mitigate the risk and maximize the potential of innovative solutions.

Susan Manoff is the Executive Director for Vaccines and Neuroscience in Merck’s Office of the Chief Patient Officer. In this role, Dr. Manoff is responsible for bringing the insights of patients, caregivers, and advocacy groups into Merck. Her work also supports health equity and diversity in clinical research.Before assuming her current role in 2015, Dr. Manoff served as a Director of Clinical Research in Merck Research Laboratories, where she led teams that designed and carried out clinical development plans for vaccines against a wide range of diseases. Dr. Manoff oversaw vaccine trials spanning all phases of clinical development, and communicated with regulatory agencies, scientific leaders, and advisory groups. Her work contributed to vaccine licensures, labeling, and recommendations for use in countries around the world.Dr. Manoff’s education and career have focused on improving global health. She received her BA degree from Princeton University, her MD degree from the Yale University School of Medicine, and her MPH degree from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. After completing residency training in pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Dr. Manoff practiced medicine in Thailand and the People’s Republic of China. She also served as a medical epidemiologist at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and as a faculty member of the Department of Epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.