Kevyn Merten, Ph.D.

Kevyn E. Merten, Ph.D., is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, an Associate Vice President for Research and Innovation, and Chief of Staff for the Executive Vice President for Research and Innovation at the University of Louisville. In these roles, he is responsible for the central sponsored programs activities that support the university research community. Prior to accepting these newly created positions in April of 2012, Kevyn served as the Vice President for Drug Development at Pradama, Inc., a pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of products to treat bone diseases and disorders. With Pradama, Kevyn oversaw the development of the company’s small molecule bone-targeting platform technology and led programs dedicated toward the development of anabolic agents for the treatment of osteoporosis, antibiotics for the treatment of osteomyelitis, and antineoplastic agents for the treatment of bone metastases. This work, which was supported by $2M+ in federal and venture capital backed investments and numerous national and international collaborations, led to the filing of three new patents for the company. In 2013, Kevyn was recognized as a “Forty Under 40” honoree by Business First Louisville, an award that recognizes members of the Louisville-area business community for career achievements, community service, and the potential to become the next generation of community business leaders. He holds an M.S. and Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology from the University of Louisville where he was an NIEHS Environmental Health Sciences Trainee and a B.S. in Agricultural Biotechnology from the University of Kentucky.