Mark Monroe Rich

Mark Monroe Rich is a Professor in the Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology & Physiology and Professor of Clinical Neuroscience at Wright State University School of Medicine, with over 25 years of combined clinical and research expertise in neuromuscular diseases. His MD/PhD background includes specialized fellowship training in neuromuscular disorders, positioning him at the intersection of patient care and laboratory investigation.

Dr. Rich's research program centers on electrophysiologic defects across the neuromuscular axis, with particular emphasis on peripheral nerve pathologies, neuromuscular junction dysfunction, and skeletal muscle excitability disorders. His lab actively investigates disease mechanisms in myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton syndrome, critical illness neuropathies, spinal muscular atrophy, ALS, Huntington's disease-related myopathies, and chemotherapy-induced sensory deficits. Current work focuses on identifying druggable targets for rapid therapeutic translation, especially regarding muscle excitability dysregulation in genetic muscle diseases.

Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a consistent trajectory toward mechanistic studies of action potential abnormalities in disease models, with growing emphasis on Huntington's disease, myotonia congenita, and periodic paralysis. His work increasingly integrates transverse tubule ultrastructure, ion channel dysfunction, and neuromuscular junction plasticity to explain pathological phenotypes.

Dr. Rich's contributions have been recognized through significant honors:

• Wright State Academy of Medicine Outstanding Senior Faculty Achievement Award (2019)
• University Professor designation (2019)
• Teaching excellence award, School of Medicine (2020 and 2022)

His laboratory maintains continuous NIH funding exceeding 25 years, supporting both basic science investigations and therapeutic development. While specific student mentorship isn't detailed in available records, his extensive publication record (110+ articles) indicates active training of researchers through collaborative projects. The lab employs advanced electrophysiological and ex vivo preparation techniques to model disease states and evaluate potential interventions, operating within Wright State's neuroscience research infrastructure.