Organization profile
Organization profile
Director: Kent Vrana, PhD
Scientific director: Wesley Raup-Konsavage, PhD
The Center for Cannabis and Natural Product Pharmaceutics (CCNPP) was established to expand upon the scientific progress of the state-approved medical marijuana academic clinical research center at Penn State. While, Cannabis will remain an integral part of the research conducted by the center, interests will also encompass other natural products in both basic and clinical science studies for a wide range of diseases and disorders. Current projects outside of cannabis include research on decursinol (derived from Angelica gigas), schweinfurthins (from Macaranga), pawhuskins (from Dalea), among others. Diseases and disorders currently being studied include: cancer, pain (particularly chemotherapeutic-induced peripheral neuropathy), inflammatory bowel disease, and high blood pressure. Other areas of interest include the growth and cultivation of plants of medicinal importance, using artificial intelligence to examine complex botanical mixtures, and synthesis of novel compounds based upon natural products. It is important to note that the CCNPP provides ready access to infrastructure for natural product extraction and analytical chemistry analysis. In addition, a variety of biological science pipelines (animal assessments, cell culture analysis, etc.) have already been established and are available.
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Profiles
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Neil Christensen, MSc, PhD
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine - Professor
- Division of Experimental Pathology
- Department of Cell and Biological Systems - Professor
- Penn State Cancer Institute
- Center for Cannabis and Natural Product Pharmaceuticals (CCNPP)
- Cancer Institute, Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis
Person: Academic
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Matthew Coates, MD, PhD
- Department of Medicine - Peter and Marshia Carlino Professor
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology - Director of Research
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics - Professor
- Center for Cannabis and Natural Product Pharmaceuticals (CCNPP)
Person: Academic
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Danielle DelPriore
- Division of Education, Human Development & Social Sciences (Altoona) - Associate Professor
- Center for Cannabis and Natural Product Pharmaceuticals (CCNPP)
Person: Academic
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Reyad Elbarbary, PhD
- Department of Orthopaedics and Therapy Services - Associate Professor
- Department of Molecular and Precision Medicine - Associate Professor
- Center for Cannabis and Natural Product Pharmaceuticals (CCNPP)
Person: Academic
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Daniel George, MSc, PhD
- Department of Humanities - Professor
- Department of Public Health Sciences - Professor
- Center for Cannabis and Natural Product Pharmaceuticals (CCNPP)
Person: Academic
Research output
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1 The vaginal microbiome, papillomavirus infection, and cervical cancer: Established associations in search of model systems and mechanistic answers
Passarelli, G. V., Whang, S. N., Gilbert, N. M. & Hu, J., Mar 11 2026, In: mBio. 17, 3, p. 1-16 16 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access1 Link opens in a new tab Scopus citations -
A Brief, Single-Session Mindfulness Intervention Decreased Surgical Patients' Preoperative Pain, Pain Medication Desire, and Anxiety: Results From a Randomized Controlled Trial
Hanley, A. W., Coleman, C., Davis, A., Sorkpor, S., Gililland, J. & Zgierska, A. E., Mar 15 2026, In: The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 34, 6, p. e866-e872Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Acid ceramidase inhibition enhances BCL-2 targeting in venetoclax-resistant acute myeloid leukemia
Ung, J., Tan, S. F., Shaw, J. J. P., Taori, M., Deddens, T. M., Venancio, G., Montgomery, M. M., Hagen, J. T., Aruleba, R. T., Golla, U. R., Sharma, A., Paudel, B. B., Lee, I., Ramamoorthy, B., Janes, K. A., Garrett-Bakelman, F., Cabot, M. C., Fisher-Wellman, K. H., Fox, T. E. & Claxton, D. F. & 3 others, , May 2026, In: Blood Neoplasia. 3, 2, 100196.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Acute stress uncovers latent β2-adrenergic receptor and Corticotropin Releasing Factor interactions in the ventral Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis critical for long-term stress-avoidance behavior
Showemimo, O., Snyder, A. E., Tariq, A., Bingaman, S. S., Arnold, A. C., Paul, A., Ploski, J. E. & Silberman, Y., Mar 2026, In: Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience. 136, 104069.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Adaptation to cystine limitation stress confers a targetable lipid metabolism vulnerability in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Li, Y., Li, Z., Li, Q., Sun, D., Ni, B., Tan, M., Shay, A. E., Wang, M., Meng, C., Shen, G., Fu, B., Shan, Y., Zhang, S., Tanshee, R. R., Zhou, T., Xie, Y., Chen, K. M., Qiao, B., Dang, Y. & Kimball, S. R. & 6 others, , Dec 2026, In: Nature communications. 17, 1, 1343.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access1 Link opens in a new tab Scopus citations -
Advances in the Understanding of Akt Signaling in Cancers and the Potential of Inhibiting Akt-Driven Tumors Using Small Molecule Inhibitors: An Overview
Aswathanarayan, J. B., Naaz, R., Doreswamy, S. H., Karnik, M., Kumar, S., Sreenivasan, A., Sharma, A. & Madhunapantula, S. R. V., Feb 2026, In: Cancers. 18, 4, 578.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open Access -
Angelica herbal supplement AGN-Cogni.Q acute dose safety and pharmacokinetics (PK) dose-response in prostate cancer patients.
Joshi, M., Fan, T., Schell, T. D., Liu, X., Perimbeti, S., Wheelden, M., Sun, D., Desai, D., Shank, D., Strong, A. L., Raman, J. D., Liao, J., Jiang, C. & Lu, J., Mar 2026, In: Journal of Clinical Oncology. 44, p. 372 1 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Angiotensin-(1–7) Activates Proopiomelanocortin Neurons in the Arcuate Nucleus
Vernail, V. L., Mehay, D. L., Kimbark, K. D., Tanner, J. A., Bingaman, S. S., Silberman, Y. & Arnold, A. C., Feb 18 2026, In: Hypertension. Publish Ahead of PrintResearch output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
An Overview of the Mechanisms of HPV-Induced Cervical Cancer: The Role of Kinase Targets in Pathogenesis and Drug Resistance
Karnik, M., Tulimilli, S. R. V., Anantharaju, P. G., Bettadapura, A. D. S., Natraj, S. M., Mohideen, H. S., Dovat, S., Sharma, A. & Madhunapantula, S. R. V., Jan 2026, In: Cancers. 18, 2, 318.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open Access1 Link opens in a new tab Scopus citations -
Anti-Biofilm Properties of Polyurethane Biomaterials Tethered With Small Molecules via Polyethylene Glycol Linker
Liu, J., Chen, C., Booth, J. L., Lanza, M., Sun, D., Allcock, H. R., Siedlecki, C. A. & Xu, L. C., Apr 2026, In: Journal of Biomedical Materials Research - Part A. 114, 4, e70069.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access
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Post-transcriptional regulation of gene Expression during bone regeneration.
Elbarbary, R. (PI)
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
9/1/25 → 8/31/28
Project: Research project
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Pre/postnatal substance exposure, maternal distress, and adolescent risk behaviors: Role of parent-child interpersonal processes at macro and micro time scales
Eiden, R. (PI), Ansell, E. (CoPI) & Schuetze, P. (CoPI)
NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE
8/1/25 → 5/31/26
Project: Research project
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Cross validation of gene expression changes in C9orf72 FTD using Drosophila and human model systems
Zarnescu, D. (PI) & Sattler, R. R. (CoPI)
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
6/1/25 → 5/31/27
Project: Research project
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Mechanisms underlying TDP-43 dependent structural deficits in ALS muscles
Zarnescu, D. (PI) & Pasinelli, P. P. (CoPI)
5/1/25 → 4/30/27
Project: Research project
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Vagal-hypothalamic modulation of alcohol intake
Silberman, Y. (PI) & Hajnal, A. (CoPI)
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
9/25/24 → 5/31/26
Project: Research project
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BIORETS: Convergence Research Experiences for Teachers in Synthetic and Systems Biology to Address Challenges in Food, Health, Energy, and Environment
Rudrabhatla, S. V. (PI) & Awm2@psuedu, A. W. M. (CoPI)
2/1/24 → 1/31/27
Project: Research project
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Career Enhancement Core
Hobkirk, A. (PI)
NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE
9/30/23 → 8/31/26
Project: Research project
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Biomarker and Analytical Chemistry Core
Richie, J. (PI) & Sun, D. (PI)
NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE
9/30/23 → 8/31/26
Project: Research project
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Neurobehavioral Effects of Frequent Co-use of Alcohol and Cannabis
Ansell, E. (PI) & Claus, E. (CoPI)
NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE
9/30/23 → 6/30/26
Project: Research project
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Penn State TCORS: Tobacco Product Composition Effects on Toxicity and Addiction
Muscat, J. (PI), Hobkirk, A. (CoPI), Sun, D. (CoPI), Richie, J. (CoPI), Foulds, J. (CoPI), Liao, J. J. (CoPI) & Spratt, T. (CoPI)
NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE
9/30/23 → 8/31/26
Project: Research project
Prizes
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Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching
Hussein, R. (Recipient), Stredny, E. (Recipient), Whitley, M. (Recipient), Mnatsakanyan, N. (Recipient), Raimundo, N. (Recipient), Zarnescu, D. (Recipient), Adams, N. (Recipient), Lanza, M. (Recipient), Kowalczyk, A. (Recipient), Travelute, C. (Recipient), Marco, C. (Recipient), Tondt, J. (Recipient), Anderson, A. (Recipient), Heron, C. (Recipient), Newman, R. (Recipient), Richard, D. (Recipient), Scartozzi, C. (Recipient), Dellasega, C. (Recipient), Akhtar, N. (Recipient), Albano-Aluquin, S. (Recipient), Chisty, A. (Recipient), Crook, T. (Recipient), Federici, E. H. (Recipient), Ingram, D. (Recipient), Lakshmanan, P. (Recipient), Mathew, A. (Recipient), Narayana, S. (Recipient), Prokop, A. (Recipient), Razjouyan, H. (Recipient), Tariq, A. (Recipient), Thompson, B. (Recipient), Thompson, E. (Recipient), Trivedi, N. (Recipient), Van Scoy, L. (Recipient), Wong, J. (Recipient), Allie, S. R. (Recipient), Browning, K. (Recipient), Evey, L. (Recipient), McLaughlin, P. (Recipient), Mamarabadi, M. (Recipient), Shankar, L. (Recipient), Bowie, E. (Recipient), Petfield, J. (Recipient), Whitaker, M. (Recipient), Aynardi, J. (Recipient), Allen, N. (Recipient), Cunningham, B. (Recipient), Gandhi, C. (Recipient), Jairath, B. (Recipient), Lutzkanin, K. M. (Recipient), Kerris, E. (Recipient), Nelson, A. (Recipient), Shook, J. (Recipient), Proctor, E. A. (Recipient), Raup-Konsavage, W. (Recipient), Romanoski, N. (Recipient), Graziane, J. (Recipient), Llorente, A. (Recipient), Nutting, S. (Recipient), Pinto, C. (Recipient), Yingst, J. (Recipient), Zhou, S. (Recipient), Mahase, S. (Recipient), Brian, P. (Recipient), Goldman, E. (Recipient), Maffie, J. (Recipient), Brahmbhatt, R. (Recipient), Fahy, A. (Recipient), Gish, J. (Recipient), Reed, M. F. (Recipient) & Tomasko, J. (Recipient), 2024
Prize