Marian Drescher

Dr. Marian Drescher is a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Wayne State University School of Medicine. She earned her B.S. in Nutrition at the University of California, Davis (1965), followed by M.S. (1967) and Ph.D. (1974) in Biochemistry at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and completed postdoctoral work in Neurochemistry (1979-81) at Wayne State University Medical School.

• Education:
  • B.S., Nutrition (1965), University of California, Davis
  • M.S., Biochemistry (1967), University of Wisconsin, Madison
  • Ph.D., Biochemistry (1974), University of Wisconsin, Madison
  • Postdoctoral, Neurochemistry (1979-81), Wayne State University

Her research in the Laboratory of Bio-otology focuses on cAMP/cGMP signaling pathways in hair cells, acousticolateralis neurotransmitter identification, and the molecular roles of otoferlin and dysferlin in mechanotransduction. These studies have been supported by NIH R01 grants and the Jain Foundation.

Recent publications (2014-2018) emphasize protein interaction analysis via surface plasmon resonance, calcium-dependent SNARE complex regulation, and dopamine signaling mechanisms in auditory systems. These works span subfields including synaptic plasticity, membrane repair dynamics, and cochlear neurotransmission.

Scientific Awards & Honors

• NIH Undergraduate Research Traineeship (1960-1964)
• Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
• Baccalaureate with Honors
• Wharton Graduate Fellowship (University of Wisconsin, 1964-1970)
• Neuroscience Research Stimulation Award (Wayne State University, 1996-1997)

Dr. Drescher has mentored 50 medical residents, students, and postdocs and directs the Otolaryngology Research Seminar Series. She served on NIH review committees, ARO Government Relations, and Wayne State University Academic Senate.