The International Tinnitus Journal

SUNY Downstate

The list of professional achievements include Distinguished University Professor since 1997. He was at SUNY Downstate Medical Center since 1959. He was Chairman of the Biochemistry Department since his appointment to that position in 1972. Prior to that, he was appointed Professor (1968-1997) and Acting Chairman (1970-1972) of the Biochemistry Department. From 1982 to 1988, Dr. Stracher served as Dean for Research and Development. His was the longest in-service Chairman of Biochemistry of any medical school in the U.S.A. He pioneered research on contractile proteins in non-muscle cells; Co-discoverer of light chains of myosin, among the first to suggest using protease inhibitors as potential therapeutic agents in treating muscular dystrophy and other neuromuscular and neurodegenerative diseases. Together with his friend and colleague Leo Kesner, PhD., Chemistry they identified a technology focusing on the protease calpain and its translation for drug development targeting neurodegeneration, the synthesis of a new drug called Neurodur, and the formulation of the ProTor Pharma corporation, of which Al became President. The vision of both Al and Leo for neurodegeneration and neuroprotection extended beyond their initial investigations to include that of the auditory and central nervous system. An invitation was extended to me to participate. I was privileged to contribute to the development of the additional new drug called Gabadur.