Scott David Emr

Scott David Emr is the Samuel C. and Nancy M. Fleming Professor of Molecular Biology and Genetics at Cornell University's College of Arts and Sciences. Formerly at Caltech (1983-91) and UC San Diego (1991-2007), he directs research on membrane biology including ESCRT pathway mechanisms essential for cellular processes like membrane repair and viral budding.

His lab investigates phosphoinositide signaling, ubiquitin-dependent sorting, and endo-lysosomal protein quality control. Recent discoveries identify key adaptors (ART proteins) and regulatory complexes maintaining membrane integrity. Awarded the Shaw Prize (2021) and Horwitz Prize (2024) for ESCRT pathway elucidation.

Major contributions include defining ESCRT functions in HIV budding, cytokinesis, and neurodegenerative disease pathways. He teaches undergraduate research courses and mentors in the Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology.