Research Investments in Cannabis and Hemp Awarded
Five researchers at the University of California, Davis, are receiving investment grants from the campus to advance research and innovation focused on cannabis and hemp. The recipients of the grants are exploring various applications and insights related to breeding, human health, toxicology and economic development.
The UC Davis Cannabis and Hemp Research Center (CHRC) awarded the Research Investments in Cannabis and Hemp (RICH) grants following an internal funding competition led by the Office of Research. The primary goal of the program is to propel promising advancements in cannabis and hemp at UC Davis to gain new levels of support from federal, state, corporate and philanthropic entities in order to deliver significant impact to our community. Successful applications were those with the greatest potential for future discovery and innovation, judged by their scientific merit, potential impact on society and sustainability.
CHRC co-director Li Tian says, “We are really impressed with the quality and creativity of the proposals. The timing of flowering is critical for hemp breeding and production, but is poorly understood. We are happy to see that Professor Brummer and his team will be tackling this key issue of flowering phenology in hemp.” Co-director Cameron Carter adds, "We are excited to see UC Davis biomedical researchers pushing the envelope to increase our understanding of the potential pharmacotherapeutic contributions of cannabinoids to human health.”
Funding for the grants was provided by the Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor, with additional contributions extended by the UC Davis Behavioral Health Center of Excellence (BHCOE) based on the quality of applications received. The BHCOE mission is to expand research opportunities, accelerate innovation for future funding with a vision of better understanding the brain and behavior, and to bridge sciences with policy and educate the next generation to be leaders for mental health.
RICH Grant Recipients
PI: E. Charles Brummer, Director and Professor, Center for Plant Breeding
Inheritance of Reproductive Phenology in Hemp
PI: Henning Langer, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology
Co-PI: Keith Baar, Professor of Physiology and Membrane Biology
Co-PI: Agata Mossakowski, MD/PhD, Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior
The Effect of Cannabidiol (CBD) and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in a Congenital Muscular Dystrophy
PI: Mark Mascal, Professor of Chemistry
Co-PI: Michael Rogawski, Professor of Neurology and Pharmacology
The Development of Dihydrocannabidiol (H2CBD) as a Safer and More Effective Form of CBD
PI: Tran Nguyen, Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Toxicology
Co-PI: Kent Pinkerton, Professor of Pediatrics; Professor of Anatomy, Physiology and Cell Biology; Director of the Center for Health and the Environment
The Role of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Vitamin E Acetate in E-cigarette and Vaping-related Lung Illness (EVALI)
PI: Keith Taylor, Assistant Cooperative Extension Specialist, Community Economic Development, Department of Human Ecology
Mendocino County’s Cannabis and Hemp Industries: Drawing Stakeholders Out of the Shadows through Market Incentives, Regulatory Compliance, Economic Development and University Partnerships
Showcase Event
The Cannabis and Hemp Research Center (CHRC), in partnership with the Behavioral Health Center of Excellence (BHCOE), will host the RICH Awardee Showcase webinar at 10:00 AM (PST) on Wednesday, August 12. This showcase of RICH awardees is the first in a series of events to highlight UC Davis cannabis and hemp research.
Use this link to register for the August 12 event: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fWkltfEhTjW6tJkRoulh3g.
Cannabis and Hemp Research Center
The Cannabis and Hemp Research Center serves as the university’s hub, bringing together scientists, engineers, scholars and clinicians involved in research related to cannabis and hemp at UC Davis.
As a leader in agriculture, plant science and veterinary medicine, with a top-ranked medical center and law school, UC Davis has an extensive research infrastructure in place that is pioneering advancements in the knowledge of production, environmental and health impacts, testing, and applications for the use of cannabis and hemp as well as providing insight for social implications and public policy.
The center is designated as a Special Research Program under the administration of the Office of Research.