Location: Colorado State University

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 Mountain topography exposes crops to sudden cold fronts and extreme heat events that suppress photosynthesis, degrade cannabinoid profiles, and reduce biomass, conditions that existing plant defense mechanisms are frequently insufficient […]

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 regulator of many physiological systems and functions. People who frequently use products derived from Cannabis sativa L. are exposed to exogenous cannabinoids. The influence of this exogenous exposure on the […]

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. Only recently has cannabidiol (CBD), a major hemp cannabinoid, become widely available in the U.S. Despite being marketed for conditions like pain and anxiety, CBD lacks FDA approval and remains […]

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 Americans. IBS affects women disproportionally and is thus a serious women’s health issue. Researchers have explored various treatment options including pharmaceutical drugs, dietary supplements as well as dietary changes to […]

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 University

In recent decades, the gut microbiome has emerged as a critical regulator of inflammation and immunity in humans and has been associated with the development of numerous chronic […]

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 are commonly used at the same time and are both known to impair cognitive and psychomotor functions relevant for driving. Following legalization of recreational cannabis in Colorado, DUIs involving cannabis […]

Developing Cannabis Irrigation and nutrient Use Efficiency Best Practices (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 Cannabis production, are finite resources. We aim to quantify Cannabis crop essential element and water use requirements in intensive horticulture production systems. Quantitative data of this nature provides mineral nutrient […]

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 chemical communication and coevolution and facilitate new approaches to crop protection. Cannabis is known for the presence of cannabinoids, which include Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) and more than 100 […]

Investigating the Effect of Cannabidiol and Cannabidiol-trazodone Combination Treatment on Naturally Occurring Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome as a Surrogate for Alzheimer’s Disease (2021)

Stephanie McGrath, PhD
Associate Professor, Neurology, Colorado State University

The World Health Organization predicts that Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other dementias will be the second leading cause of death in the United States within the next decade. Unfortunately, multimodal treatment efforts, with drugs, vaccines, and stem cell therapies, have yet to be successful. Neurodegenerative disorders are […]