Medical Cannabis Research Center at Drexel Announces New Clinical Pilot Study Awards for 2026-2027

Five new clinical studies have been funded by the Medical Cannabis Research Center (MCRC) as part of its 2026-27 pilot funding cycle designed to stimulate innovative research on medical cannabis across Drexel University.

“Examination of the Efficacy of Cannabidiol to Reduce Withdrawal-induced Inflammation and Relapse in a Novel Model of Opioid Polysubstance Use,” will be conducted by Dr. Mark Namba, PhD. of The Barker Lab in the Department of Pharmacology & Physiology at the Drexel University College of Medicine. The study aims to provide preclinical evidence and a pathway for translational studies on CBD for the treatment of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD).

“Modulatory Effects of Cannabidiol Combinations on Tryptophan Metabolism in a Rodent Model of Parkinson’s Disease,” will be conducted by Dr. Sandhya Kortagere, PhD. of the Department of Microbiology & Immunology. The study aims to provide additional evidence that CBD reprograms tryptophan metabolism to reduce neurodegeneration through anti-inflammatory signaling.

“Effects of β-caryophyllene on EcoHIV-induced Neurocognitive Impairment,” will be conducted by Dr. Jennifer Kelschenbach, PhD. of The Olimpia Meucci Lab in the Department of Pharmacology & Physiology at the Drexel University College of Medicine. The study aims to provide evidence of efficacy of the terpenoid, β-caryophyllene, on HIV-associated neurocognitive impairment through the CB2 receptor.

“Cannabidiol as a treatment for Gulf War Illness,” will be conducted by Dr. Peter Baas, PhD. and Dr. Ramesh Ragupathi, PhD. of the Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy at the Drexel University College of Medicine. The study aims to provide evidence of CBD’s efficacy of reducing neuroinflammation to ameliorate cognitive deficits and pain.

“Utilizing Machine Learning to Identify Multi-Omic HAND-Associated Inflammatory Signatures Relevant to Cannabinoid Modulation,” will be conducted by Dr. Waleed Iqbal, PhD. of The Olimpia Meucci Lab in the Department of Pharmacology & Physiology at the Drexel University College of Medicine. The study aims to leverage machine learning to identify which cannabinoids might be best suited for treating neuroinflammation.