Research Associate; Emeritus Faculty
Trained as a chemist, Michael Guarnieri came to Johns Hopkins in 1968 as a fellow in physiological chemistry. Appointed to the new Department of Neurology in 1970 to develop its research programs, he invented the first molecular test for multiple sclerosis. He left Johns Hopkins in 1975 to commercialize diagnostic tests for biotech firms. In 1985, he returned to Johns Hopkins to work in pharmacology, pathology and, since 1995, pediatric neurosurgery. His work involved biomarkers for neurodegenerative syndromes, pediatric neuro-oncology, epilepsy surgery, clinical outcomes in achondroplastic populations, and the chemistry of delivery systems for long-acting analgesia. From 1995 to 2005, he worked with the American Chemical Society on safety systems for injury control. He continues to consult for government and industry in the science of harm reduction. He has founded drug companies to commercialize long-acting, post-surgical analgesia for veterinary medicine, and for nondivertible opiate analgesia for outpatient surgeries.
Guarnieri’s current work includes safety research for injury control in high-energy environments. He is working with Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures to commercialize veterinary and human drugs.