Dr. Michelle Hernandez

Dr. Michelle Hernandez is Director of Occupational Toxicology in the Merck Research Laboratories Preclinical Development group, where she provides technical guidance to the Company on a broad range of occupational, environmental and product safety topics. Michelle received her Ph.D. from New York University and holds MS degrees in Exposure Assessment from New York University and Molecular Biology from Montclair State University. She has worked as a consultant to life science, medical device, and contract research companies for the last decade. Michelle is the Chair to the Merck Industrial Toxicology Advisory Committee which sets formal health-based exposure standards to support worker protection/safety and product quality. She is also a candidate member of the ACGIH TLV Chemical Substances Committee and Dust and Inorganics subcommittee, providing data-driven support for chemical substances of concern.

As a business Change Ambassador, Michelle has focused her community volunteer efforts to support an early pipeline of students and continues to be a community and cultural mentor to up and coming science professionals through her external work with HISPA and SACNAS. Michelle has been a member of the Society of Toxicology since 2013, where she has served as a VP-Elect (2023) and VP (2024) of the Occupational and Public Health Specialty Section, Executive Council Member on the Hispanic Organization of Toxicologists board as Councilor and Membership committee Chair (2019-2021), as well as serving as the Graduate Student Representative for the Inhalation and Respiratory Specialty Section and Graduate Student Leadership Committee Communications subcommittee (2015).

Michelle is an ardent science and toxicology educator, lecturing and providing insight into what the future of scientific advocacy looks like. Michelle is also on the leadership board for the Merck Alianza employee business resource group and continuously supports talent acquisition and talent development strategies for up and coming scientists as well as provides support for health disparity impacted patient populations while leading conversations around diversity and inclusion, as well as implementing action plans to foster continued growth in the area.