Funded Research

Active Research

A vaccine for Cannabis: Inducing Thermal Stress Memory (2026)

Sanghyuck Park, PhD

Associate Director of Research, Institute of Cannabis Research, Colorado State University Pueblo

Colorado’s cannabis growers face escalating threats from climate volatility. The region’s Rocky...

Influence of Regular Cannabis Use on The Endocannabinoid Response To A Standardized Stimulus (2026)

Christopher Bell, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Department of Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University

The endocannabinoid (i.e. endogenous cannabinoid) system is increasingly recognized as an important...

A Window of Opportunity: Understanding Risks of Cannabis Use During Breastfeeding to Inform Cessation Strategies (2026)

Brianna Moore, PhD

Assistant Professor, Department of Epidemiology, Core Research Co-Director for Environmental Sciences, Lead Center, Colorado School of Public Health, CU Anschutz Medical Campus

Cannabis use during...

Acute and chronic cannabis use and propofol-based sedation (2026)

Ana Fernandez-Bustamante, MD, PhD, FASA

Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, Clinical Research Data Informatics Director University of Colorado School of Medicine

After surgery, frequent cannabis users present a...

Effects of cognitive decline, age and tolerance on cannabis-impaired driving in older adults: observational study (2025)

Carolyn DiGuiseppi, MD, PhD, MPHhD.
Professor of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Many adults ages 65 and older who regularly...

Diversity-Oriented Chemical Synthesis of CBD Metabolites: Enabling Translational Research (2025)

Samuel L. Gockel, PhD.
Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Colorado State University Pueblo

Hemp has historical, cultural, and medicinal significance, but modern research has been restricted by regulations....

Safety and Efficacy of Oral Cannabis in Chronic Spine Pain (2025)

Emily Lindley, PhD.
Assistant Professor of Orthopedics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Back and neck (spine) pain are common and disabling conditions that affect 70% to 85% of people...

Cannabinoids as a Treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (2024)

Melissa Reynolds, PhD
Professor, Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a serious digestive system disorder that effects an estimated 50 million...

Cannabis Use and Neuropsychological Functioning among Emerging and Older Adults (2024)

Rachel E. Thayer, PhD
Assistant Professor of Neuropsychology, University of Colorado Colorado Springs

Very limited research has been conducted on the cognitive effects of cannabis in...

Defining offspring cardiovascular consequences of CBD consumption during pregnancy (2024)

Emily Bates, PhD
Associate Professor, Pediatrics-Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

The foundation of cardiovascular health is laid in the womb. We will identify...

Edible Roulette or a Sure Bet? Evaluating Testing Standards and Consistency in Colorado’s Edible Products (2024)

Duncan Mackie, PhD,
Director of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, MedPharm Holdings

Cinnamon Bidwell, PhD,
Institute of Cognitive Science Faculty, Assistant Professor, University of Colorado Boulder

...

Examining the effects of pesticide treatments on pest populations, chemical residues, and cannabinoid concentrations in Cannabis sativa (2024)

Punya Nachappa, PhD
Associate Professor, Entomology, Department of Agricultural Biology, Colorado State University

Nirit Bernstein, PhD […]

...

Endocannabinoids in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Changes with Cannabidiol (CBD) treatment (2023)

Nicole Tartaglia, MD
Professor, Pediatrics-Developmental Pediatrics University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Children with autism often struggle with behavioral challenges including irritability, anxiety, attention...

Examination of the bi-directional interactions between phytocannabinoids and a human-associated gut microbiota (2023)

Jessica Prenni, PhD, and Tiffany Weir, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture (JP), and Professor, Food Science and Human Nutrition (TW), Colorado State...

Investigation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons resulting from vaped or dabbed cannabis/cannabis-derived products with known adverse health effects (2023)

Alison Bauer, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Environmental & Occupational Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

According to the 2021 Health Kids Survey (CDPHE), among...

Developing predictive models to distinguish alcohol use, cannabis use and co-use: an exploration of electroenceph-alography (EEG) metrics and traditional intoxication measures (2023)

Hollis Karoly, PhD and Patti Davies, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology (HK), and Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy (PD), Colorado State University

Alcohol and cannabis...

Increasing the Analytical Testing Capability of Cannabinoids and Concomitant Phytomolecules in Cannabis-derived Plant Matrices (2023)

William Baurerle, PhD
Professor, Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Colorado State University

Water for irrigation and essential elements for plant nutrition, two critical inputs for...

Identifying the neuronal cell-types responsible for the rewarding and aversive properties of THC (2023)

David Root, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder

Marijuana is among the most widely used psychoactive substances across the world....

Cannabinoids and Traumatic Brain Injury: A Randomized, Placebo Controlled Trial (2022)

Kent Hutchison, PhD
Institute of Cognitive Science Affiliated Faculty & Professor, University of Colorado Boulder

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) represents a major public health burden due...

Potential Health Effects of Heavy Metals in Cannabis Flower, Concentrates, Vape Devices, and Vape Emissions (2022)

Mike Van Dyke, PhD
Associate Professor, Center for Health, Work, and Environment, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Inhalation exposure to...

Examining the adaptive roles of plant defensive chemistry on pest resistance in Cannabis sativa (2022)

Punya Nachappa, PhD
Associate Professor, Entomology, Department of Agricultural Biology, Colorado State University

Understanding how plants respond to insect herbivores can provide new insights into plant-insect...