Marissa Kuzirian, Ph.D.

Dr. Kuzirian is a Patent Agent with a Ph.D in Neuroscience. 

Dr. Kuzirian’s practice focuses on patent prosecution and due diligence for technologies related to the biological sciences, including small molecule therapeutics, biologics, cell therapies and regenerative medicine. Dr. Kuzirian also has experience with patent prosecution for medical devices and diagnostics and advises clients on Bayh-Dole regulations associated with government funding.

Dr. Kuzirian earned her doctorate in Neuroscience at Brandeis University, where her research interests focused on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of synapse development. She studied the impact of impaired synapse function in diseases such as epilepsy and autism spectrum disorder.  During her thesis work, Dr. Kuzirian discovered a new potential therapeutic target for the treatment of epilepsy and developed innovative tools for genetic manipulation. Funded through an award by the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Kuzirian completed her postdoctoral work at the University of Pittsburgh’s Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research studying the neural circuits mediating pain and itch sensation. Dr. Kuzirian’s scientific experience broadly spans molecular, cellular, biochemical, and genetic techniques; from primary cell culture to in vivo animal physiology and behavior; and from electrophysiology to advanced imaging techniques. Throughout her career in academia, Dr. Kuzirian performed research at four institutions, including Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and has published eight peer reviewed papers in journals such as Cell.