Dr. Alex Mabou Tagne is The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Highlighted Trainee Author for the September 2021 issue. He is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California, Irvine. His mentor is Dr. Daniele Piomelli. The JPET article that earned his selection as a Highlighted Trainee Author is titled “Persistent Exposure to Δ9- Tetrahydrocannabinol During Adolescence Does Not Affect Nociceptive Responding in Adult Mice” and is available at https://doi.org/10.1124/jpet.121.000740.
Dr. Mabou Tagne’s areas of research are pharmacology of the endocannabinoid system and cannabinoid-based therapeutics using integrative approaches. He is currently studying the role of endocannabinoid and endo-paracannabinoid signaling in pain chronification alongside the long-term consequences of adolescent exposure to cannabis’ psychoactive ingredient, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on brain function and behavior.
The anticipated impact of Dr. Mabou Tagne’s research is to decipher the molecular events underlying pain chronification and to translate cannabinoid-based therapeutics to clinic use to prevent transition from acute to chronic pain. By studying the long-term consequences of THC exposure in adolescence, he anticipates it may establish a solid evidence-based ground for policy decisions concerning the medicinal and recreational uses of cannabis.
When not in the lab, Alex enjoys reading, hiking, traveling, and sports. He also enjoys spending quality time with loved ones.