Jason D. Merker, MD, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine & Genetics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine. He serves as Director of Molecular Oncology and Associate Director of Molecular Pathology at UNC Hospitals McLendon Clinical Laboratories, Director of Cancer Molecular Pathology, and Co-Director of the Translational Genomics Laboratory at the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Merker is also Co-Chair of the UNC Health Molecular Tumor Board and the Cancer Genetics Committee. Dr. Merker's research focuses on translating genomic technologies to improve cancer patient care. His laboratory develops and applies novel molecular oncology diagnostics, with particular emphasis on circulating tumor nucleic acid detection, RNA sequencing applications, and correlative genomic studies of specimens from cancer clinical trials. His work spans the entire biomarker development life cycle from discovery through clinical implementation, with special focus on endometrial cancer disparities research where Black women experience a >90% higher 5-year mortality rate compared to other racial groups. Analysis of Dr. Merker's publication record reveals a strong focus on cancer genomics standards, liquid biopsy technologies, and molecular diagnostics implementation. His recent work has contributed significantly to guidelines for somatic variant classification, circulating tumor DNA analysis, and preanalytical best practices. Much of his research involves collaborative efforts across multiple institutions to translate genomic findings into clinical practice, particularly through the UNC Lineberger Translational Genomics Laboratory and the NCI National Clinical Trials Network. Co-Chair of UNC Health Molecular Tumor Board Director of Network Group Integrated Translational Science Center at UNC for NCI National Clinical Trials Network Faculty Director for Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center Translational Genomics Laboratory Principal Investigator leading collaborative research with multiple UNC departments including Gynecologic Oncology, Pathology, and Genetics The Merker Laboratory works closely with clinical colleagues to support correlative genomic testing for cancer clinical trials. Current projects include expanded clinical applications of RNA sequencing (which currently comprises only 5% of clinical molecular oncology tests), development of cell-free circulating tumor nucleic acid assays for cancer genotyping and molecular residual disease monitoring, and molecular profiling in endometrial cancer with particular attention to racial disparities through the Carolina Endometrial Cancer Study and UNC TREND program.
