SmartTALK: Greg Merril ’87 on deploying viruses to kill superbugs and save lives

President Roger Casey will lead a conversation with life sciences entrepreneur and 1987 alumnus Greg Merril on Oct. 10 at 7 p.m., when the McDaniel College SmartTALK series returns to Decker Center Forum. The event is free and open to the public.

An alarming rise around the globe of multi-drug resistant pathogenic bacteria inspired Merril to launch Adaptive Phage Therapeutics. The business develops therapies using targeted viruses — called phages — to kill so-called “superbugs” that are impervious to antibiotics. Based in Gaithersburg, Md., the company is co-founded by Merril and his father, Dr. Carl Merril, a retired NIH researcher, in collaboration with the U.S. Navy.

As a self-described “serial entrepreneur,” Merril has launched several startups in the life sciences industry, including a company that created simulation systems for medical training, a company that produced technology to make video games physically active and another company designed to detect possible concussions in young athletes. Join us to learn how this Psychobiology major is combining his scientific knowledge and entrepreneurial experience to meet a crucial need in the fight against deadly infections.

The hour-long event includes questions and answers from the audience. A live video stream of the event will also be available at www.mcdaniel.edu/livevideo. For more information, call 410-857-2292. Requests for interpreters can be made up to one week prior to the event by contacting interpretingservices@mcdaniel.edu. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.