Dr. Emre Turer grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada, as the youngest son of two physicians. In 1995, he left his home state to attend the University of California, Los Angeles, where he earned both a B.S. and M.S. in Chemistry.

His interest in gastrointestinal disease research began during his MD-PhD training at the University of Chicago in the laboratory of Dr. Averil Ma, where he developed a deep appreciation for gene targeting and the molecular mechanisms of inflammation. Following clinical residency, Dr. Turer pursued gastroenterology fellowship training and completed postdoctoral research with Nobel Laureate Dr. Bruce Beutler. During this period, he focused on discovering novel genetic models of colitis and delineating the molecular pathways driving disease. Notably, he established a forward genetic screen for intestinal homeostasis that revealed critical roles for membrane trafficking and metabolism in both innate immune and epithelial cells. This screen generated more than 100 genetic mutants that increase susceptibility to experimental colitis and has provided the foundation for his independent research program.

In 2015, Dr. Turer was appointed Assistant Professor with a clinical focus on inflammatory bowel disease. Two years later, he launched his independent laboratory dedicated to understanding the genetic basis of susceptibility to colitis. His work continues to define how mutations affecting immune activation and barrier function drive intestinal inflammation and disease pathogenesis. In recognition of his scientific and clinical contributions, he was promoted to Associate Professor of Internal Medicine in 2024.

Since joining the faculty, Dr. Turer has published fifteen manuscripts, serving as corresponding author on six, including five original research articles in the field of intestinal homeostasis. His body of work has advanced fundamental understanding of intestinal immunity and positioned him as an emerging leader in the field.