James Merrick, MPA

Chief Communications and Marketing Officer
James joined the Melanoma Research Foundation in December 2021 as the Chief Communications and Marketing Officer. Prior to joining the MRF, James had a long career in science communications. He served as the Director of Communications at Optica (formerly The Optical Society), where he led the development of Optica’s digital and external media communications strategies. Previously, he was Program Manager at the American Institute of Physics.
In his current role, James supports the MRF’s strategic priorities through designing and implementing key communication efforts to effectively advance the MRF’s mission and vision. He also develops annual campaigns to help educate and advocate around melanoma.
James received his Master’s degree in Public Administration with a concentration in non-profit marketing from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. A native of Maryland, James is an avid Baltimore Ravens fan. In his free time, he likes exploring new recipes and restaurants in the greater DC area, visiting museums and enjoys all the shows on the Bravo network!