About
The Cannabinoids Science Lab is based in the Department of Population Health Sciences at the
University of Central Florida College of Medicine. The lab was created to advance rigorous, evidence-
based knowledge on cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinoid products through clinical and population
health research, to mentor students as the next generation of scientists and public health leaders,
and to build transparent, ethical partnerships with industry that translate science into safer, more
effective products for the communities we serve.
Leadership
What We Do
The Cannabinoids Science Lab focuses on four pillars: conducting academic research,
engaging students, building academic partnerships, and developing industry
partnerships.
Academic Research
Academic research is conducted to systematically evaluate how cannabidiol and other
cannabinoids act on the biological and behavioral pathways underlying substance use
and mental health, and other conditions and whether that action can be translated into
safer, more effective treatment. Through clinical trials conducted under FDA regulation
and population health studies, the lab produces peer-reviewed publications and reports
that inform clinicians, scientists, and the policymakers responsible for regulating
cannabinoid products.
Student Engagement
Students are provided with opportunities to engage in clinical and population health
research projects, contribute to active study protocols, and present findings at regional,
national, and international meetings. Graduate and undergraduate research assistants
work alongside research coordinators on the lab’s current studies, and have presented at
the UCF Student Scholar Symposium, the SUPER symposium, and the Cannabis Clinical
Outcomes Research Conference.
Academic Partnerships
Collaborations are formed with faculty and entities that are part of the University of
Central Florida community, as well as with investigators at other institutions in Florida,
across the United States, and internationally. Our partners include UCF RESTORES and
the Institute for Simulation and Training at UCF; the University of Florida, Florida State
University, Florida International University, Florida Atlantic University, and Florida
A&M University; University of California San Diego; the Consortium for Medical
Marijuana Clinical Outcomes Research; and a collaborative scientific network spanning
Bolivia, Peru, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Brazil, and Spain.
Industry Partnerships
Partnerships are established with companies that develop and manufacture cannabinoid
products and hold the formulation and manufacturing expertise required for rigorous
clinical evaluation. Our industry partners include Sym Sciences, which produces
standardized, research-grade cannabinoid materials for FDA-aligned research; Vertosa,
which develops emulsion technology for cannabinoid-infused products; Tikun Olam, a
medical cannabis company with a two-decade record of clinical research and peer-
reviewed publication.
These partnerships are structured so that research questions, methods, analyses, and
conclusions remain guided by data and scientific inquiry, the lab remains independent
of the products it evaluates.