A NIDA grantee was honored with a lifetime achievement award, and NIDA staff members presented research findings during the 28th International Cannabinoid Research Society (ICRS) Symposium, which was held June 30–July 5, 2018, in Leiden, The Netherlands.
The ICRS Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Cecilia J. Hillard, Ph.D., director of the Neuroscience Research Center and a professor in the Medical College of Wisconsin Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. Dr. Hillard investigates the biochemical mechanisms involved in the synthesis, release, and degradation of endocannabinoids; the role of endocannabinoid signaling in the regulation of mood and responses to stress; and the role of cannabinoids in regulating the immune response. Her ICRS presentation discussed recent data on the involvement of microglial CB2 receptor expression in response to cocaine.
NIDA International Program Director Steven W. Gust and NIDA Division of Therapeutics and Medical Consequences Regulatory Affairs Branch Chief Bob Walsh presented a poster about marijuana and cannabinoid research products available from NIDA. Presenters from the NIDA Intramural Research Program included Eliot Gardner, former NIDA INVEST Fellow Zheng-Xiong Xi, and Chloe Jordan.
The meeting is supported by a NIDA conference grant (R13DA016280) to provide student travel grants, career development, translational programming, awards for pre- and postdoctoral presenters, and an online abstract book. Read the ICRS 2018 abstract book.