USC Dornsife’s Emily Liman named a senior member of the National Academy of Inventors

Emily Liman, professor of biological sciences at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, has been named a senior member of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI).

She joins a select group of 162 academic inventors honored this years. Liman, who holds the Harold Dornsife Chair in Neurosciences, is USC Dornsife’s third scholar named a senior member of the academy.

“I’m deeply honored to be included among such an accomplished group,” she said. “This isn’t just a reflection of my work, but also of the many talented students and collaborators at USC and across the country that I’ve had the privilege to work with over the years.”

In naming her a senior member, NAI cited Liman’s achievements as an academic inventor and a rising leader in her field. “Your success in patents, licensing, and commercialization — along with your dedication to developing technologies that have made, or aspire to make, a real impact on society — truly exemplifies the spirit of innovation,” the academy wrote.

Liman says that, aside from connecting with other accomplished scientists, inventors and entrepreneurs from many disciplines, being a member of the academy “brings attention to the importance of fundamental research as a driver of innovation. Scientific discoveries often lead to applications we can’t always predict at the outset, and being part of a network that values and fosters that process is truly meaningful.”

Liman’s research focuses on the biophysics of ion channels, the portals through which electrically charged molecules enter and exit cells. She is widely known for her work on sensory TRP channels, which are involved in detecting sensory stimuli like heat, cold, pain and pressure.

In more recent work, she found acclaim for discovering the OTOP proton channels, one of which functions as a sour taste receptor on the tongue. Liman determined that the OTOP channel also may contribute to another, unique sense of taste found in a licorice candy popular in Scandinavia.

“I hope that our work on ion channels, particularly our discovery of OTOP channels and their role in sour taste, will advance our fundamental understanding of sensory perception,” she said. She also believes it could lead to broader insights into physiological processes that use proton channels to sense and regulate acid levels within cells.

Identifying new molecules that can control OTOP channel activity, Liman added, could have implications for curing an array of diseases, including obesity, cancer and disorders of the inner ear that affect balance.

Liman will be formally inducted as a senior member during the 14th NAI Annual Conference in June. During the ceremony, she will receive her senior member certificate, NAI pin, and senior member challenge coin, presented by representatives from the NAI and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.