1952-. American computer scientist and mathematician.
Invented Merkle trees (1979), the hash-based data structure that enables efficient verification of large datasets. Every blockchain, including cyber, uses Merkle trees for state commitment.
Co-invented public-key cryptography independently of Diffie and Hellman, introducing Merkle's Puzzles (1974).
Pioneered cryptographic hashing as a foundation for digital signatures and authenticated data structures.
His tree construction remains the canonical method for proving inclusion and integrity in distributed systems. The BBG in cyber is a direct descendant of this idea.
Advocate for cryonics and nanotechnology as paths to extending human capability.