The Kaplan lab studies the developmental consequences and therapeutic efficacy of cannabis in pre-clinical rodent models of disease and psychological disorders. To do this, we employ behavioral, genetic, pharmacological, and electrophysiology techniques coupled with novel passive inhalation methods that mimic human use patterns. We aim to optimize cannabis’ medicinal benefits, minimize side effects, and better understand its impact on the developing brain.

Check out our new lab memes! 

Latest news and media

(7/15/24) Rosa Robbins was awarded a Foundry10 Award AND a Veith Family Scholarship. Wow! These will go towards financially supporting Rosa’s lab research and tuition, respectively. Rosa will use her award to investigate the protective effects of cannabinoids against stress-induced neuroinflammation and impaired neurogenesis using flow-cytometry and immunohistochemistry with confocal microscopy. Congratulations, Rosa! 

(5/8/24) Congratulations to Jessica Muckerheide! Jessica was awarded the Behavioral Neuroscience Program’s Goldman/Blackwell Scholarship which will financially support Jessica’s full-time research activities in the lab this summer. Jessica will continue her research into the effect of estrogen on brain activity and the sensitivity to therapeutic intervention in autism spectrum disorder. Way to go, Jessica! 

(5/7/24) The Kaplan Lab is going to SfN! We’ll be presenting our latest efforts to optimize CBD-based medicine and understand its effects on the developing brain. Our poster will be full of fun data generated using brain-slice electrophysiology, MALDI-TOF mass spec, Western Blot, and behavioral approaches. We hope to connect with folks in Chicago this October! 

(3/18/24) Our lab members continue to be successful achieving postbac opportunities. In just the last month, Alana Sullivan was accepted to the NIH IRTA Postbac program, Gabi Quinn was accepted to the Fred Hutch postbac internship program, Jenika Staben was accepted at the University of Washington’s Medical School, Isaac Heiman was accepted to Washington State University’s Medical School, and Farrell Mahmud was accepted to Kansas City University Medical School. Wow! Congratulations everyone! You make us proud. 

email: josh.kaplan@wwu.edu