Scott B. Selleck

Scott B. Selleck is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at The Pennsylvania State University. He previously served as Department Head (2009–2017) and held the Martin Lenz Harrison Endowed Chair at the University of Minnesota (2002–2009). His research focuses on signaling networks in neurodevelopment and neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, with a focus on heparan sulfate proteoglycans’ roles in autophagy and stress responses.

Education:

• Bachelor’s in Zoology, University of Washington
• MD and PhD, Washington University School of Medicine
• Postdoctoral Fellowships at MIT and Brandeis University

Research Interests: Dr. Selleck’s work explores how heparan sulfate proteoglycans regulate developmental signaling pathways (e.g., Wnt/BMP) and neurodegenerative processes. Recent studies include rescuing neurodegeneration in Drosophila models of Parkinson’s by modulating heparan sulfate function, linking lysosomal storage diseases (e.g., MPS) to age-related neurodegeneration via autophagy mechanisms.

Awards:

• Phi Beta Kappa (1979)
• NIH Medical Scientist Training Program Fellowship (1981–1988)
• Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Fellowship (1994–1996)

Advising & Grants: Long-term focus on mentoring trainees and securing funding for studies on neurological disorders. His lab investigates molecular mechanisms underlying mitochondrial dysfunction in neurodegeneration and environmental influences in autism.

Labs/Teams: Leads a research group studying heparan sulfate biology and its implications for human diseases, with collaborations in developmental genetics and translational neuroscience.