Merck has announced the appointment of Marjorie Waters as Vice President, Research & Development IT, marking a significant leadership milestone following more than three decades of cross-functional experience within the organization.

With 31 years at Merck, Marjorie Waters brings a rare, deeply integrated perspective shaped by roles spanning chemistry, finance, and information technology. Her career reflects Merck’s long-standing commitment to uniting science, capital, and technology to drive meaningful impact for patients worldwide.

In recent years, she has led critical initiatives at the intersection of science, data, and digital platforms, enabling R&D innovation that supports faster discovery, stronger decision-making, and scalable scientific outcomes. Her leadership philosophy emphasizes empowered teams, high standards, and creating the conditions necessary for sustained excellence.

Reflecting on her journey, Waters credits the foundation built by mentors and leaders who prioritized urgency, trust, and the belief that technology can meaningfully accelerate scientific progress. This approach continues to shape how she leads complex, mission-critical transformation efforts across R&D.

As she steps into the VP role, her focus will be on strengthening proven systems, evolving what must change, and building resilient, human-centered capabilities that are future-ready. Ensuring continuity, adaptability, and long-term value creation remains central to her vision.

Her appointment underscores Merck’s strategic emphasis on technology-enabled R&D transformation, reinforcing the company’s commitment to innovation, patient impact, and scientific leadership.