Pathology
Internal Medicine
1952-2018
Dr. Merlin grew up in Atlanta, earned a BA degree in philosophy from Yale University, received his medical education at the University of Florida, and specialized in clinical pathology through residency and fellowship training at Stanford University and the University of New Mexico.
Dr. Merlin joined the faculty of UNM Departments of Pathology and Internal Medicine in 1984 where he performed research in the molecular mechanisms of antibiotic resistance. He became a tenured Associate Professor of Pathology, Vice Chairman of the Department of Pathology, and Chief of Laboratory Services at the Veterans Administration Hospital. In 1992, Dr. Merlin became Senior Vice-President and Chief Medical Officer, and an Officer of the Board of Directors, at Lovelace Health Systems. In 2003, he joined the Center of Disease Control where he most recently worked as Director of the Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infectious (DPEI) in the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID). Dr. Merlin served as incident manager of several emergency responses, including: the H1N1 outbreak in 2009, the Ricin response in 2013, the Ebola outbreak in 2014 and the Zika response in 2016.
Dr. Merlin encouraged and supported the careers of many researchers and public health professionals. A 20-year member of the American Society for Microbiology, he oversaw the ASM/CDC Fellowship program. In his honor, a UNM Memorial Scholarship Fund has been established to aid students with significant financial need.
Dr Merlin I hope you receive my thought and prayers to you in heaven. You are missed by someone who remembers you for your respect love and compassion. The world has lost a remarkably beautiful scientist mentor and friend.