Dr. Norman Kachuck (M.D.)

​After getting a B.A. in music from UCSD, and a short stint at Juilliard in composition, I moved into neurosciences research and then completed med school and neurology residency at USC. I joined the USC faculty in 1991, and served as Director of the Neuroimmunology Service, and the Multiple Sclerosis Research Group. Administrative duties included three years as Asst Medical Director for USC Care, two years chairing of the Credentials Committees of USC Care and USC University Hospital, and three years as Vice Chair of the USC Health Sciences Institutional Review Board. I’ve been co-chief investigator with Dr. Leslie Weiner for the MS T cell Vaccine project at USC as well as three physician initiated projects funded by the NMSS or pharma, and site Principal investigator on 26 studies in MS therapeutics. My clinical practice over 24 years had 860 active patients as of mid 2010. I have consulted and been on advisory and lecture panels for all of the major Pharma entities in the MS space. I’ve taken a leave from my clinical practice to concentrate on ethical issues in medical practice and clinical research, the philosophy and psychology of medicine, and the evolutionary neuroscience of consciousness. My ongoing basic science research is the mechanical disruption of the blood brain barrier in autoimmune disease and the role of natural immune system in MS, and I direct research for Glycominds, Inc. I now run the family business of avocado ranching, extending the legacy of my father’s innovative work over the previous forty years. I’ve been blessed with three fine sons, two golden retrievers and a loving family, play a mean keyboard, and live in the San Fernando Valley.