Emil Marcel Mrak (October 27, 1901 – April 9, 1987) was an American food scientist, microbiologist, and second chancellor of the University of California, Davis.

The only other food scientist to have this honor is James L. Oblinger, chancellor of the North Carolina State University in Raleigh from 2005 to 2009.

[2] Kerr had to bring Mrak before the board three times in order to secure their reluctant approval of his appointment to lead the Davis campus.

[2] However, both the Board of Regents and Kerr came to value Mrak's management skills, as well as his ability to effectively represent the university's interests in nearby Sacramento.

[2] At the time of Mrak's appointment, Davis was still tightly focused on agriculture due to its origins as the University Farm.