As a clinical hematologist/oncologist who cares for patients with bone marrow stem cell disorders, Emerson has been regularly named "Top Doc" in his field by Philadelphia Magazine, most recently in 2006.
There, he held the Francis C. Wood Professorship in Medicine, Pathology and Pediatrics, and served as Chief of Hematology/Oncology and as Associate Director for Clinical/Translational Research of the Abramson Center.
As the Chief of Hematology/Oncology at the University of Pennsylvania, Emerson led a group of 60 full-time faculty and 25 trainees, for whom he was responsible for career development and selection.
At Penn, Emerson was asked to organize the Institute for Stem Cell Biology which would seek to integrate, support and innovate research and education throughout the University, in the school of Arts and Sciences, Engineering, Medicine and Dentistry.
Programs of this Institute will include Developmental Biology, Biotechnology and Tissue Engineering, Stem Cells in Health and Disease, Bioethics and Cellular Therapies.