Rozhin Derakhshandeh Merck & Co., Inc.

I’m a Senior Scientist in Drug–Device Combination Products at Merck, designing patient‑centric devices that safely and conveniently deliver Merck’s therapies to patients worldwide. I joined Merck in June 2025, following a PhD in Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University. My doctoral research, conducted in collaboration with Eli Lilly and Company, focused on autoinjector design and subcutaneous injection physiology, with emphasis on drug depot growth and diffusion within tissue. I’ve been involved with PDA since my student days and currently serve as a committee planner for PDA Week 2026. I’m eager to learn from colleagues across R&D, manufacturing, and quality; understand current challenges; and connect efforts to bring new ideas that advance the science of drug delivery and expand access to medicines. If you’re working on drug–device combination products, let’s connect!