Eric Hostetler

Eric Hostetler
Executive Director, Head of Translational Imaging
Merck & Co., Inc.
West Point, PA, USA

I received my undergraduate degree in chemistry from Goshen College, a small college in Indiana. I earned my PhD in organic chemistry from U. Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where I worked on novel radiolabeling methods for incorporation of 18F and 11C into small molecules. I did 2 yrs of post-doctoral research at the PET center at Washington University, St. Louis in the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology. I was most interested in teaching at a small college in a non-research driven role, but ended up accepting a position in pharmaceutical research. I joined Merck as a radiochemist at a time when they had just decided to build up a PET group. I have now been at Merck for 20 years in a few different Imaging-focused roles. After several years as a PET radiochemist, I led the chemistry group in the Imaging department. Following that I led the PET tracer discovery group, which added the PET modelers and in vitro capabilities. Finally, 5 years ago I moved into my current position leading Translational Imaging Biomarkers, which comprises all non-invasive imaging at Merck, including MRI, CT, ultrasound, and optical imaging in addition to PET.

Scientific Expertise
Neuroscience, PET/SPECT

Mentoring Interests
Advocating For Yourself, Alternative Career Paths, Time Management, Stress Management, Networking, Conflict Resolution, Project Management, Work/life Balance, Leadership Skills

In my free time, I enjoy…
Cooking, traveling, Latin dancing, brewing beer