Headshot

Hunter R. Merrill

Principal Data Scientist | Program Lead

Columbus, OH

hmerrill12@gmail.com

Bio

I am an outcome-driven Technical Program Lead with a passion for bridging the gap between advanced AI and global development. I have 8+ years experience in data science and 4+ years experience leading cross-functional teams to deliver scalable solutions for agriculture and public health. I have extensive experience with advanced statistical & machine learning methods including Bayesian modeling, deep learning and probabilistic forecasting. I have authored multiple peer-reviewed publications and patents.

Skills

Research & Methodology:
Research design probabilistic forecasting uncertainty quantification deep learning predictive modeling Bayesian inference generative modeling causal inference

People & Program Management:
Managing end-to-end research cycles coordinating research analysts/assistants stakeholder management grant/project evaluation remote team leadership

Communication:
Technical report writing academic publishing translating complex statistical results for stakeholders UI/UX for decision-support tools

Tech Stack:
Python PyTorch TensorFlow PyMC Scikit-Learn EconML R SQL Node.js CSS HTML Bash Git QGIS

Personal Projects

Experience

Taimaka

Program Improvement Fellow
Sept & Oct 2025

Improved pediatric patient outcomes and reduced malnutrition treatment cost in Gombe, Nigeria.

  • Built a facial recognition model with 99% true acceptance and rejection rates and 97% top-three accuracy.
  • Built and deployed a mobile app for contactless on-device biometric identification using the facial recognition model.
  • Built and automated a backend system to update biometric templates.
  • Collaborated with field teams and local stakeholders to pilot biometric identification, ensuring ethical and effective implementation in low-resource settings.
  • Discovered a cohort of repeat patients and performed analyses to improve treatment protocols for patients who relapse and return to treatment after initial recovery.

Climate LLC / Bayer

Principal Data Scientist
Sept 2024 - Current

I lead agile teams to deliver scalable AI solutions for precision agriculture. I am responsible for influencing the strategic direction of the business unit and for defining quarterly milestones and two-week deliverables, and for working with commercial teams to align software development with business goals.

  • Improved field boundary management experience by developing and deploying a QGIS plugin. I am currently leading the development of a farmer-facing, SAM-based field boundary segmentation tool.
  • Automated practice change evidence verification by developing and deploying image- and text-classification neural network models.
  • Explored efficient and compliant AI tools by fine-tuning and in-house hosting agent- and RAG-based LLM frameworks for natural language queries of carbon market registry documentation.
Lead Data Scientist
Nov 2020 - Sept 2024

I led agile teams to deliver predictive models for crop diseases. I was responsible for defining scientific strategy, quarterly milestones and two-week deliverables, and for working with commercial teams to align scientific research with business goals.

  • Enabled crop protection insights by developing and deploying a deep learning gaussian process model for jointly forecasting multiple diseases.
  • Improved data collection efficiency by defining a data valuation strategy & hiring two contractors to execute on it.
  • Identified and addressed the risks of collecting more of the same data across programs.
Senior Data Scientist
April 2018 - Nov 2020
  • Created in-season wheat disease forecasts by developing probabilistic deep learning models.
  • Improved crop yield models by creating deep learning embeddings of high-dimensional environmental data.
  • Mentored an intern to develop probabilistic deep learning models to forecast soybean yield over long lead times.
Geospatial Statistician
May 2017 - April 2018

Identified crop nutrient deficiencies in soil by developing predictive statistical models using satellite imagery.

Freelance

Grant Review Panel Member
2024 & 2025

Reviewed grant proposals for the USDA's Data Science for Food and Agriculture Systems awards.

Service

Taimaka

May 2025 - Current
  • Reducing nonresponse and mortality rates of malnourished Nigerian children with predictive model development, deployment and automation.
  • Quantifying impact by assisting with cost-effectiveness analyses.

UF ABE Advisory Board

Dec 2022 - Current

Responsible for advising on the University of Florida's Agricultural and Biological Engineering department’s mission statement and strategy, as well as ensuring curricula result in successful placement of graduates.

Education

University of Florida

PhD, Agricultural and Biological Engineering    
May 2014 - May 2018

MStat, Statistics    
Aug 2012 - May 2014

Mississippi State University

BS, Mathematics    
Aug 2008 - May 2012

Skills

Research & Methodology:
Research design probabilistic forecasting uncertainty quantification deep learning predictive modeling Bayesian inference generative modeling causal inference

People & Program Management:
Managing end-to-end research cycles coordinating research analysts/assistants stakeholder management grant/project evaluation remote team leadership

Communication:
Technical report writing academic publishing translating complex statistical results for stakeholders UI/UX for decision-support tools

Tech Stack:
Python PyTorch TensorFlow PyMC Scikit-Learn EconML R SQL Node.js CSS HTML Bash Git

Personal Projects