Junaid Salim Merchant, Ph.D.
Data Scientist | Researcher | Visual Design | Neuroscience | Epidemiology
EDUCATION
Ph.D. Neuroscience & Cognitive Science
University of Maryland | 2022
Computation & Mathematics for
Biological Networks Fellow
M.S. Experimental Psychology - Behavioral
Neuroscience
Seton Hall University | 2010
Graduated with Highest Distinction
B.A. Psychology & Art
UNC Asheville | 2006
SKILLS
Data Science & Visualizations |
Python | Multilevel Modeling |
Analytic Pipeline Development |
Project Management | fMRI | R |
Machine Learning | Markdown |
Scientific/Technical Writing |
Epidemiology GitHub | Linux |
Bash/Shell | MATLAB | Stata |
High Performance Computing |
Adobe Creative Suite Shiny |
NetworkX | Docker/Singularity |
Large-Scale Data Management |
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
|
merchantjs@gmail.com
+1 828-301-3155
Personal: junaidmerchant.github.io
LinkedIn: junaid-s-merchant
GitHub: JunaidMerchant
Google Scholar
CONTACT
SUMMARY
Data scientist with over a decade of experience leveraging advanced analytics to
uncover novel insights for cross-functional teams. Proven track record of applying
data science tools to behavioral research, public health, and social sciences.
Passionate about pioneering data-driven approaches and driven by a deep curiosity to
advance evidence-based knowledge and create meaningful impact.
EXPERIENCE
Data Analyst at Big Data for Health Equity | 2022 - current
Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department, University of Maryland
Lead on developer of multilevel models to examine health disparities at the
intersection of multiple identities and exposures, focusing on youth mental
health and cognitive aging trajectories.
Validated and enhanced machine learning models for social media-derived
public opinion measures on sensitive topics as alternatives to traditional
surveys.
Managed collaborations and deployed analytic pipelines for big public health
datasets from CDC, NIA, and NCHS.
Research & Teaching Assistant Social Neuroscience | 2018 - 2022
Department of Psychology, University of Maryland
Designed supercomputing solutions for neuroimaging research, and trained
faculty and students in fMRI analysis tools.
Conducted a meta-analysis on the neuroscience of social interaction, using
network analysis for brain connectivity insights.
Research Associate - Pediatric Psychiatry | 2016 - 2018
Georgetown University/Children’s National Hospital
Developed end-to-end data collection and analysis protocols for a expansive
study on executive dysfunction in clinical populations.
Organized DC-area “BrainHacks” – workshops to foster local collaboration,
software development, and student training.
Volunteer Coordinator & Automation Programmer | 2020 - current
Silver Spring/Takoma Park Mutual Aid Group
Automated volunteer workflows in Google Colab, facilitating the distribution
of over $180K in community support since 2020.
Lab Manager & Project Coordinator | 2010 - 2016
Center for Translational Neuroscience / SAN and DSN Labs at UO
Led research design & project management for the Oregon Eating Study
examining neural & behavioral predictors of dietary change.
Oversaw data collection, participant recruitment, graduate training, and analysis
across multiple neuroscience labs.
AWARDS
2nd Place: Computational Neuroscience Data
Competition
Outstanding Graduate Assistant Award: Top 2%
of UMD Graduate Students
Network Science Graduate Fellowship
Broadening Participation Grant: Open Science
Training
Diversity in Research Award: Social & Affective
Neuroscience Society
RECENT PUBLICATIONS
Merchant, J.S., Nguyen, T.T., Makres, K., & Evans, C.R. Intersectional inequities in suicide ideation by race,
sexual orientation, and gender among U.S. high school youth pre and post 2020: An application of random effects
intersectional MAIHDA (in press). Special issue on methods in social epidemiology for American Journal of
Epidemiology.
Nguyen, T. T., Merchant, J. S., Yue, X., Mane, H., Wei, H., Huang, D., ... & Nguyen, Q. C. (2024). A Decade of
Tweets: Visualizing Racial Sentiments Towards Minoritized Groups in the United States Between 2011 and
2021. Epidemiology, 35(1), 51-59.
Merchant, J.S., Alkire, D., & Redcay, E. (2022). Neural similarity between mentalizing and live social interaction
during the transition to adolescence. Human Brain Mapping, 43(13), 4074-4090.
