Deborah Merke MD, MS

Dr. Deborah Merke graduated cum laude from University of Massachusetts, received a master of science degree in biostatistics from Columbia University and earned her medical degree from State University of New York at Buffalo. During medical school, she was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha (medical honor) Society. She completed her pediatric residency at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and a fellowship in pediatric endocrinology at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. As a fellow, she received an NIH Clinical Research Loan Repayment and Scholarship Award and an NIH Fellows Award for Research Excellence. After completion of her fellowship, Dr. Merke remained at NICHD studying congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a rare disease of the adrenal gland. Dr. Merke is now considered a world expert in CAH.

In 1999, Dr. Merke was appointed chief of Pediatric Services for the NIH Clinical Center. In this position, she oversees the care of pediatric patients at the CC, heads the Pediatric Consult Service, and chairs the Pediatric Care Committee, the organizational committee responsible for overseeing clinical policies and guidelines for managing pediatric patient care. She also maintains a joint appointment as an NICHD clinical investigator and continues to oversee clinical research studies of CAH.

Dr. Merke has made significant contributions to the study of CAH, including the novel finding of adrenaline deficiency in patients with CAH, the discovery that patients with CAH have smaller-than-normal amygdalas (the part of the brain that regulates emotion) and identification of problems with hydrocortisone suspension; this is a common medication used by patients with CAH, and Dr. Merke's studies led to a product recall. She currently is conducting the largest ever Natural History Study of CAH, with over 250 patients enrolled in study that aims to broaden our understanding of the disease process. Dr. Merke leads an effort to expand our understanding of the pathophysiology and clinical manifestations of CAH through collaborative studies with the National Institute of Mental Health and the National Institute of Aging. Central to her work is the study of new treatments, including a long-term trial testing an antiandrogen and aromatase inhibitor to block excess hormones, and the study of a newly developed form of hydrocortisone which mimics circadian cortisol secretion. In 1999, Dr. Merke was appointed chief of Pediatric Services for the NIH Clinical Center. In this position, she oversees the care of pediatric patients at the CC, heads the Pediatric Consult Service, and chairs the Pediatric Care Committee, the organizational committee responsible for overseeing clinical policies and guidelines for managing pediatric patient care. She also maintains a joint appointment as an NICHD clinical investigator and continues to oversee clinical research studies of CAH.