Blake Mertz

Blake Mertz, Ph.D., is a Researcher and Principal Scientist at Modulus Discovery, affiliated with the C. Eugene Bennett Department of Chemistry at West Virginia University as Joint/Adjunct Faculty. His research focuses on computational biophysics to study membrane proteins' structure-function relationships, combining simulations with experimental data to analyze protein behavior across time and spatial scales.

Education: Ph.D. in Chemistry from Iowa State University, followed by an NIH Ruth Kirschstein Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Arizona. Teaching areas include Physical Chemistry and Biochemistry, with courses such as CHEM 342 (Experimental Physical Chemistry) and CHEM 593 (Computational Chemistry).

Research emphasizes membrane protein dynamics, including pHLIP peptides, proteorhodopsin, and retinal-protein interactions. Publications highlight computational studies of surfactant micelles, ligand-receptor interactions, and battlefield wound treatment innovations. His Mertz Group website hosts ongoing projects and collaborations.

Professional affiliations include leadership in interdisciplinary research at WVU and Modulus Discovery, with a focus on translational applications of computational biophysics.