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Dr. Andrew C. Merkle is the mission area executive for Research and Exploratory Development at the ÃØÃÜÖ±²¥ Applied Physics Laboratory (APL). In that role, he drives the investment strategy for research programs seeking technology breakthroughs to benefit the missions of the Laboratory’s sponsors. Dr. Merkle has focused on developing and executing a strategic vision for some of APL’s most innovative efforts. He leads a team of technical experts who have made significant contributions in the fields of advanced human surrogate systems, blast and ballistics research, testing and evaluation of occupant protection systems, developing novel high-rate sensor technologies, and high-speed imaging applications. He is the chair of systems engineering in ÃØÃÜÖ±²¥ University’s Engineering for Professionals program. He has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland, lecturing on the biomechanics of human movement, and has lectured at ÃØÃÜÖ±²¥â€™ Bloomberg School of Public Health and Whiting School of Engineering. He has authored over 80 publications, patents, and reports, including more than 60 refereed publications, conference presentations, invited lectures, and technical reports in biomechanics. Dr. Merkle received a B.S. in engineering science and mechanics and an M.S. in engineering mechanics (biomechanics concentration) from Virginia Tech and has a D.Eng. in engineering management from George Washington University.