Dr. Scott Fraser stands as a visionary leader in the field of biological imaging, seamlessly bridging disciplines to advance scientific understanding. Currently serving as President of the Chan Zuckerberg Imaging Institute, a position he assumed effective April 1, 2025 after joining the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative as Vice President of Science Grant Programs in February 2024, his career has been defined by transformative contributions at the intersection of physics, engineering, and biology. With formal training in physics (B.S., Harvey Mudd College, 1976) and biophysics (Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University, 1979), he established his research trajectory through faculty positions at the University of California, Irvine and the California Institute of Technology before his influential tenure at the University of Southern California. His journey from fundamental physics to groundbreaking biological applications exemplifies his remarkable capacity to translate theoretical concepts into practical scientific tools that reshape entire fields of inquiry.
Dr. Fraser's pioneering work centers on developing innovative imaging technologies that enable unprecedented visualization of biological processes in living organisms. His contributions include multispectral and four-dimensional confocal microscopy techniques that permit detailed imaging of embryonic heart development, alongside the revolutionary "in toto" imaging approaches that allow comprehensive analysis of entire embryos and organs in their native states. He engineered robust gene assays, molecular imaging reagents, and high-sensitivity molecular sensors that have transformed researchers' ability to track biological processes with precision. These technological breakthroughs have been translated into clinical applications addressing degenerative eye diseases and improving surgical precision through robotic assistance, demonstrating his exceptional ability to move discoveries from bench to bedside.
Beyond his technical innovations, Dr. Fraser has profoundly influenced scientific culture through his commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and scientific training. He has mentored over 120 researchers across his career, with former trainees now leading research at institutions including Harvard, Stanford, and Children's Hospital Los Angeles. As a founding director of Caltech's Brain Imaging Center and the Kavli Nanoscience Institute, he established frameworks for collaborative science that continue to drive innovation across multiple disciplines. His current leadership at the Chan Zuckerberg Imaging Institute builds upon this legacy, expanding access to advanced imaging technologies while fostering the next generation of scientific discovery through cross-disciplinary partnerships that promise to transform our understanding of human biology and disease.
