Cheryl Leyns

Cheryl Leyns, Ph.D., is a Principal Scientist in Neuroimmunology at Merck, where they focus on innovative drug discovery research for neurodegenerative diseases. With a background as a molecular cell biologist, Cheryl has extensive experience in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration, having advanced small molecule development and therapeutic antibody engineering. They previously held roles at Merck as a Senior Scientist and Associate Principal Scientist, as well as serving as a Graduate Researcher and NIH NRSA Predoctoral Fellow at Washington University in St. Louis. Cheryl began their academic journey at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, where they earned a Bachelor's degree in Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics and later completed their Doctorate in Molecular and Cell Biology at Washington University.