Bradley Thurston Sheares
PhD '82, Biochemistry
Age: 45
Title: President, U.S. Human Health
Company: Merck & Co. Inc.
Location: Lansdale, Pa.
AKA. : Basketball enthusiast - a Philadelphia 76ers season ticket
holder, recently attended the NBA finals, the NBA All-Star game, and NCAA
championship games
1. Best advice…
I learned that with focus, perseverance, dedication and a rigorous work
ethic, you can solve very complex problems.
2. Boiler memory…
My most memorable day at Purdue was the day I presented my PhD dissertation.
My parents surprised me and attended my seminar presentation. That day
was very special for all of us.
3. Thank you…
People who helped me academically and personally include my major professor,
Don Carlson, and Mark Hermodson, Victor Rodwell and Claudia Kent in
the biochemistry department. But I am also deeply indebted to Henry
Moses (PhD '64) who taught me undergraduate biochemistry at Fisk University
and influenced me to pursue graduate education at Purdue.
4. Great escape…
I enjoy spending free time with my daughters, Adrienne, 15, Alicia,
12, and Anita, 9. We like to travel and go to movies and I enjoy watching
them play basketball. It is the Sheares' "Family Sport."
In his words:
"The Purdue PhD experience was a tremendous confidence-builder
for me. It taught me to focus and to work hard through the trials and
tribulations of research. The rewards of solving a very complicated
problem and standing in front of people on dissertation day as an expert
in an aspect of biochemistry were invaluable."
