Charles P. Emerson Jr.

Charles P. Emerson Jr. is a Professor at UMass Chan Medical School in both the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and the Department of Neurology. He directs the Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Program and leads research on skeletal muscle development and genetic disorders like FSHD and LGMD. His work bridges developmental biology, stem cell technology, and therapeutic innovation.

• Princeton University, BA Biology-Biochemistry
• University of California, San Diego, PhD Biology
• Postdoctoral Fellow, American Cancer Society

Emerson’s research focuses on transcriptional networks and signaling pathways in skeletal muscle progenitors, utilizing iPSC modeling and CRISPR gene editing to study human muscle biology. His team investigates epigenetic regulation, innate immunity interactions, and RNA therapeutics for muscular dystrophies.

The lab’s 15 most recent articles highlight advancements in prime editing efficiency, SMCHD1 function, immune-muscle xenografts, and mitochondrial metabolism in muscle development. Key subfields include CRISPR optimization, FSHD pathogenesis, and kinase signaling.

• NIH Career Development Award
• NIH Merit Award
• NIH Training Grant in Cell and Molecular Biology
• NIH Training Grant in Developmental Biology

Emerson has mentored numerous graduate students and postdocs, fostering collaborations with institutions like Genea Biocells and Carnegie Institution. His lab receives funding from NIH and foundations supporting muscular dystrophy research. The lab also operates within the Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center, integrating academic and industry partnerships.