Learn about Emerging Research on Cannabis and Parenting with Drexel MCRC Researchers
Thursday, January 22, 2026
4:00 PM-5:00 PM
Researchers
will present on published research related to cannabis and parenting resulting
from Drexel University’s Medical
Cannabis Research Center (MCRC) funded studies.
Speakers:
- Janna Ataiants, DrPH, MPA, is an Assistant Research Professor in
the Department of Community Health and Prevention in the Drexel University
Dornsife School of Public Health. Dr. Ataiants serves as the co-Principal
Investigator on the Pennsylvania State Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup
(SEOW) and recently authored a study titled “Mothers and fathers who use
medical cannabis: A comparison of sociodemographic characteristics, cannabis
use, and health.”
- Elizabeth (Libby) Salerno Valdez, PhD, MPH, is an assistant professor in
the Department of Community Health & Prevention in the Drexel University
Dornsife School of Public Health. Dr. Valdez is currently PI of the MCRC funded
pilot study “Needs and Barriers to Access of Medical Cannabis by Parenting
Women by Race.”
- Maddy Finkelstein, MSW, PhD candidate in the Department of Community Health
and Prevention in the Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health. She
has authored a peer reviewed paper titled, “Role Strain Among Parents Who are
Medical Cannabis Patients in Pennsylvania.”
- Olivia Cordingley is a PhD candidate in the Department of Community Health
and Prevention in the Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health. She
has co-authored a peer reviewed paper with Dr. Valdez titled, “‘It Helped to
Calm Me’: Perspectives on Cannabis Use During Pregnancy and Parenting from
Certified Patients in Pennsylvania.”
The group of Drexel researchers will present on published research related
to cannabis and parenting resulting from MCRC funded studies.
RSVP